UK falling behind on tackling microplastic pollution, scientists say

<p>Researchers call for urgent action as fragments of plastic found in human brains and pollute food, water and air</p><p>The UK is falling behind on international efforts to tackle microplastics, scientists have said, as the pollutants continue to infiltrate food, ecosystems and human bodies.</p><p>The tiny fragments of plastic have been found in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/may/20/microplastics-human-testicles-study-sperm-counts">human testicles</a> and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/feb/03/levels-of-microplastics-in-human-brains-may-be-rapidly-rising-study-suggests">brains</a>, and they <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/10/microplastics-hinder-plant-photosynthesis-study-finds-threatening-millions-with-starvation">burrow into plants</a>, inhibiting their ability to photosynthesise. The impact on human health is largely unknown, but they have been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/mar/06/microscopic-plastics-could-raise-risk-of-stroke-and-heart-attack-study-says">linked to strokes and heart attacks</a>.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/may/06/uk-falling-behind-tackling-microplastic-pollution-microplastics">Continue reading...</a>