Introduction
Nurdles (pre-production plastic pellets) are raw materials used to manufacture plastic products. They are the building block of most of the plastic products we use daily, like plastic bottles, bags, and containers. Nurdles are accidentally spilled into the environment during improper handling and transportation. These lightweight, tiny particles are easy to transport in the environment and finally reach oceans and beaches. The most important environmental impact of nurdles is marine pollution. Nurdles are the major contributor to man-made waste present in oceans.
What Are Nurdles?
Nurdles (pre-production plastic pellets) are plastic pellets less than 5 millimeters in size used for manufacturing plastic products in the plastic industry. They are microplastics (plastic fragments less than 5 millimeters in size) made from polyvinyl chloride, synthetic resins, polyethylene, polystyrene, and polypropylene. Nurdles are melted and cast into molds to produce plastic products. After production and during transport, nurdles are spilled into the environment, and if not cleaned properly, they eventually enter waterways and reach the ocean. Nurdles are considered primary microplastics. Primary microplastics are plastic pellets less than 5 millimeters in size that enter marine sources in microplastic form. Secondary microplastics are formed due to the degradation of larger plastic items.
After reaching the marine environment, nurdles (microplastics) are again fragmented into fine particles by the action of oxygen, wave, wind, and ultraviolet rays. These plastic fragments will take hundreds of years to degrade in the marine environment. Microplastic fragments cannot be practically removed from the sea like larger plastic wastes. Thus, they remain in the marine environment for years and cause environmental pollution and toxic health effects. Fine plastic fragments enter the food chain when small aquatic animals consume them as food. After reaching living cells, toxic chemicals present in these plastic fragments will cause adverse health effects.
What Are the Physical Properties of Nurdles?
The physical properties of nurdles contribute to their easy transportation within the environment and their toxic effects.
It includes the following:
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Lightweight- After reaching the environment, they can be easily blown into air and water bodies due to their lightweight.
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Small Size - They are very small lentil-sized plastic pieces less than 5 millimeters in size. Due to their small size, they can easily escape from small holes in containers used for transportation and reach the environment. They cannot be caught using mesh in runoff water due to their small size.
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Easy to Float- Nurdles can easily float through rainwater, drainage systems, and storm drains due to their small size and lightweight. Thus, they are easily carried into seawater.
What Are the Harmful Chemicals Present in Nurdles?
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Polyvinyl chloride.
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Polyethylene.
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Polypropylene.
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Polystyrene.
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Bisphenol-A (BPA).
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Phthalates.
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Organotins.
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Flame retardants.
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Poly-fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS).
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Dyes.
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Plasticizers.
How Do Nurdles Impact the Environment?
Impact on Marine Life - Nurdles are easily confused as food by marine life, like sea turtles, fish, and seabirds, due to their bright color and texture. Plasticizers like phthalates present in nurdles will cause physiological damage to the digestive system of marine creatures. After reaching their stomach, these plastic pellets will create a feeling of fullness, and they will eventually die because of starvation and nutritional deficiencies. Nurdles eventually combine with harmful chemicals and toxins present in insecticides, herbicides, and pesticides, which are released into the environment. Nurdles, combined with harmful chemicals and toxins, are consumed by fish and enter the food chain. These small fishes are eaten by larger ones and result in biomagnification (increased toxic chemical concentration in higher animals).
Impact on Humans - Nurdles reach the human body through contaminated fish, air, water, and seafood. The microplastic fragments present in nurdles attract harmful bacteria (like Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, and Stenotrophomonas Maltophilia) and cause infection once it reaches the human body. Fine plastic particles cross the cell membrane and may cause gut and lung injury. They are also able to cross human placental barriers and cause developmental defects in fetuses. Toxic chemicals present in plastics can cause oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell damage. Chemical components present in nurdles possess adverse health effects.
It includes the following:
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Phthalates - It is used as a plasticizer in plastics. Phthalates can cause asthma, reproductive defects, endocrine disorders, immune system impairment, and developmental defects.
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Polyvinyl Chloride - They are able to cause birth defects, liver dysfunction, skin diseases, cancer, genetic changes, ulcers, and indigestion.
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Polyester - These chemicals are associated with skin rashes, eye irritation, and respiratory tract infections.
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Polystyrene - They may cause unconsciousness and dizziness, throat, eye, and nose irritation. Studies have shown an increased risk for hematopoietic and lymphatic cancer with polystyrene exposure.
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Polyethylene - They are used to produce most commercial plastic products like bottles, toys, kitchen weather, and food containers. Polyethylene is a suspected human carcinogen.
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Bisphenol-A (BPA) - It is associated with impaired brain function, developmental disturbances, heart diseases, weight problems, and an increased risk of cancer.
How Can We Reduce Nurdles-the Toxic Waste?
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Reduce the Use of Plastics - It is the main step that must be followed to reduce the level of nurdles in water bodies. Plastic demand must be reduced by shifting to a zero-waste lifestyle. It can be achieved by using plastic-free products and alternatives. Instead of plastic bottles and products, other alternatives like stainless steel bottles, cloth bags, reusable bottles, and borosilicate bottles can be used. Use proper recycling methods to reduce the number of new plastics in the environment.
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Reduce the Use of Products Containing Plastic Microbeads - Personal products like toothpaste, face scrubs, and body washes contain microbeads. After usage, they can reach waterways through the sewage system.
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Proper Handling of Nurdles - Proper handling must be done during transportation to avoid leakage and spillage. It can be achieved by improving handling procedures, providing filters in drains, using spill kits, and providing proper training to staff regarding handling and transportation.
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Beach Cleaning - Regular cleaning of beaches must be done to reduce the amount of plastic waste entering the ocean.
Conclusion
Nurdles are very tiny plastic pellets used in the production of plastic products. They are released into the atmosphere due to improper handling and transportation. Due to their physical properties like lightweight, small size, and easy floating, they reach oceans and water bodies. Safety measures must be followed strictly during the handling and transportation of plastic raw materials to avoid accidental spilling and toxic effects. Overall plastic use must be reduced as low as possible to reduce plastic pollution and its hazardous effects.
