Plastic waste remains a persistent issue in Indonesia and has yet to be effectively resolved. Plastic components are particularly problematic because they are difficult to decompose.
According to the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Indonesia’s total waste accumulation reached 17.4 million tons by 2023, with plastic waste accounting for approximately 17.29%. The increase in microplastic pollution threatens environmental sustainability and impacts human and animal health.
This was highlighted in a seminar titled “Plastic Pollution from Scientific to Community Perspective: a One Health Approach” held in the auditorium of the UGM Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FK-KMK UGM) on Wednesday (Apr. 24).
This international seminar, a collaboration between the One Health Collaborating Center (GT-OHCC) at Universitas Gadjah Mada and the Institut français Yogyakarta, featured several speakers, including the UGM Director of Research Professor Mirwan Ushada, General Manager of Nexus3 Foundation Krishna Zaki, Director of Research at the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) Professor Isabella Annesi-Maesano, and Head of the One Health Collaborating Center FK-KMK UGM Professor Tri Wibawa.
Professor Ushada emphasized that waste and garbage management has become a serious issue in many regions, including spotlighting landfills in the Special Region of Yogyakarta. However, he pointed out that a critical issue that needs attention is the rise of microplastic pollution, which poses significant health risks.
“One of the most worrying issues is the increase in microplastic pollution, which threatens environmental sustainability and affects human and animal health,” said Professor Ushada.
Krishna Zaki explained the health hazards of plastic from its chemical components. Plastics contain at least 13,000 monomers or small molecules that bond to form long polymer molecules, with 7,000 being hazardous and 3,200 potentially causing concern.
“One example is the synthetic compounds used for decades to make non-stick pans due to their resistance to heat or water,” he noted.
Furthermore, chemicals in plastics used in everyday products like children’s toys, clothing, and furniture can impact human health. These chemicals can be exposed through contaminated air, food, water, dust, and direct skin contact.
“The impacts include hormonal function disruption, reduced fertility, nervous system damage, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, and increased risk of lung and liver cancer,” Zaki explained.
Zaki stressed the importance of reducing and eliminating problematic plastic products, such as polystyrene, straws, and plastic bags, and called for joint policies between countries to adopt global controls on plastic.
Professor Isabella Annesi-Maesano elaborated on the adverse health effects of microplastic exposure, which can be divided into physical and chemical effects.
Physical effects relate to the size, shape, and concentration of microplastic particles, while chemical effects involve hazardous chemicals within microplastics, such as heavy metals and bio-contaminants like bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Professor Tri Wibawa emphasized a One Health approach to deeply understand the impact of microplastic pollution and how to address it globally. He advocated for cooperation and a holistic approach guided by the principles of One Health to tackle the dangers of plastic waste.
Author: Dita
Editor: Gusti Grehenson