Next week negotiators from 180 nations will gather in Geneva to finalize a United Nations treaty that could for the first time cap plastic production and target the tiny fragments already contaminating oceans, air and human bodies.
Helen Thomson reports for The Observer.
In short:
- Marine biologist Richard Thompson coined “microplastics” in 2004 and has since traced the particles from seabed to human brain.
- His latest work shows tire dust rivals packaging as a dominant, chemically toxic source of microplastic pollution.
- Thompson backs a treaty that would limit non-essential plastics, regulate 4,000 risky chemicals, and cover items intentionally manufactured small.
Key quote:
"We’re not talking about hypothetical future risks, we’re seeing potential harm at concentrations that already exist in our environment."
— Richard Thompson, marine biologist, University of Plymouth
Why this matters:
Plastic production has quadrupled since 2000, and much of that surge now crumbles into tiny shards. These specks ride the wind, fall with rain and slip through wastewater filters, meaning exposure is no longer limited to coastal species or littered streets. Laboratory and epidemiological studies link ingested or inhaled microplastics to inflammation, metabolic disorders, and cardiovascular disease, while oceanographers warn the particles impede plankton that lock away carbon. The chemicals baked into tires and food packaging add another layer of risk because many mimic hormones or damage organs at trace doses. Without checks on production, researchers estimate microplastic releases could double again by 2040, burdening ecosystems and public health systems worldwide.
Related: Global negotiators prepare for major UN treaty talks to curb plastic waste
