MMA calls for measures after Malaysia tops microplastic consumption list

MMA president Dr Azizan Abdul Aziz says microplastics, defined as plastic particles less than 5mm in size, can enter the human body through various means, including food and water consumption. (AFP pic)

PETALING JAYA: Malaysian Medical Association president Dr Azizan Abdul Aziz has called for legislation to regulate plastic production and promote the use of biodegradable materials.

This comes after a recent study found Malaysia ranked the highest among 109 countries for consuming microplastics and among the top 10 for its citizens inhaling the most microplastic particles.

According to The Straits Times, the study published in the Environmental Science and Technology journal found Malaysians consume an average of 502.3mg of microplastics daily per capita.

Azizan said the government should enact laws similar in effect to its no plastic policy implemented in 2020.

Dr Azizan Abdul Aziz.

“Public awareness campaigns are also essential to educate people about the risks of microplastics and measures to reduce exposure,” she told FMT.

She called for funding for research to better understand the health impact of microplastics and develop effective mitigation strategies, and to improve waste management systems to reduce plastic pollution and enhance recycling efforts.

Azizan said microplastics, defined as plastic particles less than 5mm in size, can enter the human body through various means, including food and water consumption.

“These microplastics can contain toxic chemicals such as phthalates and bisphenol A, which can leach into the body and cause hormonal disruptions, reproductive issues and other health problems.

“Ingested microplastics can also cause inflammation and irritation in the gastrointestinal tract, potentially leading to digestive issues and other inflammatory diseases of the gut,” she said.

She pointed out that microplastics could cause oxidative stress and damage at the cellular level, which might lead to chronic diseases such as cancer.

“Malaysia’s high consumption of seafood and extensive use of plastic products significantly increase exposure to microplastics.

“As plastic production and waste increase, so does the number of microplastics in the environment, leading to higher ingestion rates in the future,” she said.

Hema Mahadevan.

Greenpeace Malaysia public engagement campaigner Hema Mahadevan urged the government to sign the Global Plastics Treaty, which aims to tackle plastic pollution comprehensively.

Hema said this includes pushing for limits on plastic production and use, transforming corporate practices to focus on refill and reuse, holding corporate polluters accountable and demanding full transparency in plastic production, among others.

She said implementing these measures would significantly reduce plastic pollution and microplastics, while also promoting sustainable, long-term solutions.

Hema also said individuals and businesses could contribute to reducing the overall microplastic footprint in Malaysia by minimising plastic use and adopting sustainable practices.

“Consumers can refuse and reduce plastic use where possible, such as shopping at zero-waste stores and choosing products with minimal or no plastic packaging.

“Businesses should stop using single-use plastics and shift towards a reuse-and-refill system, adopting durable packaging and incorporating sustainable materials into their operations,” she said.