Potential Impact of Microplastics and Nanoplastics on Human Health
Ministry of Sustainability and the EnvironmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Dr Tan Wu Meng's inquiry regarding the monitoring of health impacts from microplastics and nanoplastics and whether sustainability efforts can further reduce their environmental presence. Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Dr Amy Khor Lean Suan stated that while international evidence is currently inconclusive, the government is closely tracking scientific research and collaborating across agencies like the Ministry of Health. She highlighted that existing measures, including robust waste management, anti-littering enforcement, and single-use plastic reduction, aim to minimize plastic debris entering the environment. Senior Minister of State Dr Amy Khor Lean Suan also noted that the Public Utilities Board's surveillance since 2017 has not detected microplastics in treated water from the four National Taps. The government remains open to supporting relevant research and will continue enhancing public hygiene efforts to prevent plastic litter from entering the ecosystem.
Transcript
8 Dr Tan Wu Meng asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) whether the Ministry performs horizon scanning of the potential impact of microplastics and nanoplastics on human health and, if so, how; and (b) whether Singapore's sustainability efforts can incorporate reducing the use of items which may contribute to microplastics and nanoplastics being introduced into the environment, food chain and daily life.
The Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment (Dr Amy Khor Lean Suan) (for the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment): The World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations have indicated in their respective reports in 2022 that there is insufficient data to fully understand the impact of microplastics and nanoplastics on human health. Nonetheless, we are closely monitoring international discussions and scientific studies on this topic.
Microplastics and nanoplastics can be produced from the breakdown of larger plastic debris. We have implemented measures to reduce plastic waste, as well as minimise the potential contribution of plastic debris into the environment and marine waters from land-based sources. These include robust waste management systems, a strict anti-littering enforcement regime and measures to encourage businesses and individuals to reduce the consumption of single-use plastics.
Sir, 2024 is designated as the Year of Public Hygiene. We are increasing efforts to work with stakeholders to enhance cleanliness and address littering, including that of plastic waste. We urge everyone to do your part, to keep plastic litter from entering our environment.
Mr Speaker: Dr Tan Wu Meng.
Dr Tan Wu Meng (Jurong): I thank the Senior Minister of State for her answer. I have two supplementary questions. The first question is on whether or not our agencies are actively doing horizon scans of the medical and scientific literature, and further to that, may I draw the Minister's attention to an article published in the international peer-reviewed journal, The New England Journal of Medicine, on 7 March 2024? It is entitled "Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Atheromas and Cardiovascular Events", in summary, the research article looks at whether microplastics and nanoplastics can be found in the blood vessels of persons who are unwell and if they correlate with future risk of cardiovascular illness.
So, can I ask secondly to the Minister, although it is still in its early days and although this is just one study published in an international peer-reviewed journal, will the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) work with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and other health agencies, to get a sense of what the evolving evidence is on this, so that Singapore can move and make decisions in a timely way, as our understanding evolves regarding the science?
Dr Amy Khor Lean Suan: I thank the Member for his supplementary questions, as well as comments. Let me say that, indeed, there is growing momentum on this issue. This issue has been the subject of various international studies and research, and as the Member has cited, this is one of the research that has been undertaken.
But as I have noted, currently, based on the 2022 WHO report that I had cited earlier, the report has stated that the current global evidence on the impact of micro- and nanoplastics on health risk is still inconclusive and more data is needed to better understand the human exposure as well as then to characterise and quantify human health risks.
Even studies, like what the Member has cited, also conclude that further research has to be done.
So, indeed, MSE and MOH and various relevant agencies are working closely together, to better understand and monitor the impact of such environmental pollutants – microplastics and nanoplastics – on human health, and we will continue, as I have said, to track international studies and research in this area and we are open to considering support for relevant and useful research on this topic.
But having said that, in the meantime, we will continue to look at how we can reduce plastic waste, as well as the amount of plastic debris that gets into the environment and marine waters, through our waste management systems, anti-littering enforcement regime, and getting businesses and individuals to also reduce plastic waste created.
And as an assurance, let me also say that the Public Utilities Board, for instance, has been undertaking biennial surveillance of the presence of microplastics in water from our four National Taps since 2017. As of the latest test results in 2023, we have not detected any microplastics in the treated water and we will continue to monitor developments in this area.