Invisible to the naked eye, nanoplastics, whose size is measured in billionths of a meter (nanometer), are omnipresent in the environment. They are found in our food, cosmetics, textiles, construction materials, etc. Their use raises concerns about their potential effects on health and the environment.
By Jean-Paul Briand.
Nanoplastics come from the fragmentation of plastic waste under the effect of solar ultraviolet rays, waves and abrasion. They can also be produced directly in certain industrial or cosmetic processes (exfoliating beads in beauty products). These particles, resulting from the degradation of plastics, are a thousand times smaller than a hair. Their very small size gives them great mobility and possible propagation in all environments: the seas and oceans, the soil, the air and even in the food and water that we consume.
The fight against nanoplastics is a major concern
Nanoplastics easily enter living organisms through inhalation, ingestion and skin contact. They can cross biological barriers, such as the blood-brain barrier or the placenta and reach various organs. Vectors of endocrine disruptors (EP), the impacts on health are worsening. Nanoplastics themselves contain chemical additives, such as phthalates, bisphenol A, alkylphenols and brominated flame retardants, which are known EDs. Still little studied, combined exposure to nanoplastics and PE could have synergistic effects: that is to say that the combined effects would be greater than the sum of the effects of each substance taken individually. The consequences are potentially serious on reproduction, development, metabolism and other physiological functions. The fight against nanoplastics and endocrine disruptors is a major concern of the 4th regional environmental health plan (PRSE) of the Centre-Val de Loire region. In partnership with the University and the CHRU of Tours, a conference on their threats to fertility is also planned in Tours on February 6, 2025, (6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., village hall of the Town Hall).
Recycling works poorly
In his report on the impacts of plastics on human health presented last November, MP Philippe Bolo announced that the global production of plastic “ has doubled over the last 20 years and is expected to exceed 500 million tonnes in 2024, which represents around 60 kg per earthling. According to OECD projections, plastic production is expected to reach 750 million tonnes in 2040 and exceed one billion tonnes before 2050 “. Plastic waste logically follows this increasing curve: it is expected to increase from 360 million tonnes in 2020 to 617 million in 2040. However, even in the most advanced countries in terms of collection, sorting and processing, recycling works poorly. Thus in France, in 2018, of the 3.6 million tonnes of plastic waste produced, only 600,000 tonnes were actually recycled, or 17%.
The treaty against plastic pollution was unsuccessful
In order to combat the risks linked to plastic, the fifth United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5) adopted a resolution in March 2022 with a view to negotiating a global treaty to combat plastic pollution. Unfortunately the final session of negotiations to approve this international treaty, which took place from November 25 to December 1, 2024 in South Korea, was unsuccessful. A group of oil-producing countries including Russia, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Iraq and Iran do not want binding cuts in place. The production of plastic and its waste continues to increase. Negotiations should normally resume in 2025. Let's hope that reason will prevail…
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