Decades of scientific research show that plastic pellets pose hazards to the environment

Abstract

Plastic pellets (nurdles) are a major component of marine pollutants, causing physical and chemical harm to wildlife and ecosystems. Ingestion by seabirds and other species is widespread and linked to serious health effects. Additionally, pellets transport hazardous and persistent chemicals across ocean basins and into the food chain. Despite their known environmental impacts, regulatory controls on pellet transport remain insufficient. This commentary synthesizes current scientific evidence on the hazards posed by plastic pellets and argues for their classification as harmful substances and/or environmentally hazardous substances (aquatic environment) under the International Maritime Organization. Such classification would enable stronger international measures to minimize pellet pollution at sea.