Syllabus

GS 3: Environmental Pollution

Context: The presence of endocrine disruptors in plastic waste has raised serious health concerns due to their ability to interfere with the hormonal system.

Key fact 

  • A 2022 study from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam found microplastics in the blood of 80% of people tested. 
  • In 2024, a study in India showed microplastics in 89% of blood samples with 4.2 particles per milliliter on average. 
  • These tiny plastic particles have also been found in human lungs, hearts, placentas, breast milk, ovaries and semen. 
  • Shockingly, Indian men had three times more microplastics in their testicular tissue than dogs.
  • A 2023 study in Food and Chemical Toxicology found that even small amounts of polystyrene microplastics (20 μg/L) in animals lowered testosterone, reduced sperm production and damaged the protective barrier in the testes.
  • In India, average sperm count has dropped by 30% over the last 20 years.

About Endocrine Disruptor

  • Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that interfere with the hormonal system, leading to adverse health effects in humans and wildlife.
  • Plastic waste is a major source of such disruptors, making it an emerging environmental and public health concern.
  • They interfere with the body’s normal hormone signals in three main ways:
    • Mimicking Natural Hormones: Endocrine disruptors (like BPA, phthalates, and PFAS) can bind to hormone receptors (such as estrogen, androgen, thyroid, and cortisol receptors), sending false signals that can overstimulate the system.
      • Their molecular structure closely resembles our natural hormones, so they act like imposters
    • Blocking Receptor Binding: These chemicals can also latch onto receptors and block real hormones from binding, preventing the receptor from receiving its normal signal. This effectively shuts down the communication pathway.
    • Altering Hormone Levels and Metabolism: Endocrine disruptors may interfere with hormone production, transport, release, or breakdown.
      • For example, they can increase or decrease hormone levels by affecting enzymes, transport proteins, or even how receptors are produced.

Plastic Pollution in India 

  • India produces over 9.3 million tonnes of plastic waste every year.
  • Out of this, 5.8 million tonnes are burned, releasing harmful gases and 3.5 million tonnes pollute the environment.
  • People in cities like Mumbai are exposed to 382 to 2,012 microplastic particles daily through air, food and water.
  • In Nagpur, doctors report a rise in early puberty, breathing problems, obesity and learning issues in children—conditions linked to plastic pollution.
  • CPCB tests found phthalates in drinking water from Delhi, Jabalpur and Chennai with levels above EU safety limits.
  • India has strong policies like the Plastic Waste Management Rules (2016, updated in 2022 and 2024) but enforcement is weak and uneven.
  • Current rules do not consider low-dose chemical effects or the special risks faced by children and pregnant women.

Mains Question

Plastic pollution is emerging as a major public health crisis in India. Examine its impact on human health and evaluate the effectiveness of existing regulatory measures. (10M, 150W)

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