专家表示，必须在全球范围内处理这种有毒且持久的污染物

第一篇创造“微塑料”一词的研究发表在二十年前的《科学》杂志上。现在，同一团队的一项新审查认为，我们有足够的证据来指导我们解决全球微塑料“污染危机”的方法。

Microplastics, tiny pieces of plastic less than 5 millimeters in length, are a pervasive and persistent pollutant found throughout the environment. A new review, published in the journal Science, argues that we now have enough evidence to inform our approach to tackling the global microplastics "pollution crisis."

微塑料是长度小于 5 毫米的微小塑料片，是整个环境中普遍存在且持久的污染物。 《科学》杂志上发表的一篇新评论认为，我们现在有足够的证据来指导我们应对全球微塑料“污染危机”的方法。

“In our view, science will be just as important guiding the way towards solutions as it has been in identifying the problems,” write the authors in their new paper.

作者在新论文中写道：“我们认为，科学在指导解决方案方面与识别问题一样重要。”

The first study to coin the term "microplastics" was published in Science 2 decades ago. Now, the same team is calling for urgent action to address the problem of microplastics.

第一篇创造“微塑料”一词的研究发表于二十年前的《科学》杂志上。现在，同一团队呼吁采取紧急行动解决微塑料问题。

“Microplastics are solid plastic particles about half the size of a typical rice grain or smaller,” they write. “They originate from the manufacture of microplastics that are intentionally added to products, or from the breakdown of larger plastics during their use, waste management, or degradation in the environment.”

他们写道：“微塑料是固体塑料颗粒，大小约为典型米粒的一半或更小。” “它们源自有意添加到产品中的微塑料的制造，或源自较大塑料在使用、废物管理或环境降解过程中的分解。”

Existing national legislation alone is insufficient to address the problem of microplastics, they say, but the United Nations’ Plastic Pollution Treaty, which will undergo its 5th round of deliberations in November, presents a “tangible opportunity” for international action.

他们表示，现有的国家立法不足以解决微塑料问题，但将于 11 月进行第五轮审议的联合国《塑料污染条约》为国际行动提供了“切实的机会”。

Richard Thompson, head of the International Marine Litter Research Unit at the University of Plymouth, UK, who led the review, says that after 20 years of research there is clear evidence of harmful effects from microplastic pollution on a global scale.

领导这次审查的英国普利茅斯大学国际海洋垃圾研究小组负责人理查德·汤普森表示，经过20年的研究，有明确的证据表明微塑料污染在全球范围内产生有害影响。

“That includes physical harm to wildlife, harm to societies and cultures, and a growing evidence base of harm to humans,” he says.

“这包括对野生动物的身体伤害、对社会和文化的伤害，以及对人类伤害的越来越多的证据基础，”他说。

“Added to that is the fact that microplastics are persistent contaminants, and once in the environment they are virtually impossible to remove. There are still unknowns, but during the 20 years since our first study the amount of plastic in our oceans has increased by around 50%, only further emphasising the pressing need for action.”

“除此之外，微塑料是持久性污染物，一旦进入环境，它们几乎无法去除。仍然存在未知数，但自我们首次研究以来的 20 年间，海洋中的塑料数量增加了约 50%，这进一步强调了采取行动的迫切需要。”

Professor Sally Gaw of the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, who was not involved in the research says the authors argue for a “multi-disciplinary approach” to tackling the global microplastic pollution that integrates science and economics and social strategies.

新西兰坎特伯雷大学的 Sally Gaw 教授没有参与这项研究，她表示，作者主张采用“多学科方法”来解决全球微塑料污染，将科学、经济和社会战略结合起来。

“We have done this before to address other persistent and toxic pollutants, including organochlorine pesticides and asbestos. We can and must do this again,” she says.

“我们以前曾这样做过，以解决其他持久性有毒污染物，包括有机氯农药和石棉。我们可以而且必须再次这样做，”她说。

“The key to stemming the release of plastics and ultimately microplastics will be choosing wisely – when is it appropriate or necessary to use plastics and if we need to use plastics what are the best strategies to reduce harm?”

“阻止塑料和最终微塑料释放的关键是明智地选择——什么时候适合或有必要使用塑料，如果我们需要使用塑料，减少危害的最佳策略是什么？”

Dr Joel Rindelaub of the University of Auckland, who was not involved in the research, says that plastic pollution doesn’t really disappear, it just breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces.

奥克兰大学的乔尔·林德劳布博士没有参与这项研究，他表示塑料污染并没有真正消失，它只是分解成越来越小的碎片。

“Unfortunately, microplastic mitigation strategies have not developed to a level that can adequately address environmental plastic pollution.

“不幸的是，微塑料缓解策略尚未发展到能够充分解决环境塑料污染的水平。

“Thus, many researchers believe the most effective strategy to reduce plastic pollution would be to focus on preventative measures, as plastic production is currently increasing exponentially on a global level.

“因此，许多研究人员认为，减少塑料污染的最有效策略是注重预防措施，因为目前全球塑料产量呈指数级增长。

“Preventative strategies, like decreasing plastic production, have encountered several challenges, highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts between industries, governments, and consumers to limit plastic pollution and reduce risk to both humans and the environment.”

“减少塑料产量等预防性战略遇到了一些挑战，凸显了行业、政府和消费者之间合作努力限制塑料污染并降低对人类和环境风险的重要性。”

The review highlights the need for better sampling approaches and refinement in how microplastics are defined and categorised, which has hindered regulatory efforts so far.

该审查强调需要更好的采样方法以及细化微塑料的定义和分类方式，迄今为止这阻碍了监管工作。

Work towards a legally binding, international agreement on plastic pollution – based on a comprehensive approach that addresses the full life cycle of plastic, including its production, design, and disposal – has been underway since 2022. The fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee is scheduled for 25 November to 1 December 2024 in Busan, Republic of Korea.

自 2022 年以来，一直在致力于就塑料污染问题达成具有法律约束力的国际协议，该协议的基础是解决塑料整个生命周期（包括其生产、设计和处置）的综合方法。政府间谈判委员会第五次会议将于定于2024年11月25日至12月1日在韩国釜山举行。