Microplastics seem to be everywhere – in the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat. They have turned up in human organs, blood, testicles, placentas and even brains. Now, the State of Minnesota is starting to address the plastics problem closer to home, but they're only at the beginning stages of understanding how deep the issue even is.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says a state-funded report detailing just how many microplastics are in Minnesota’s surface, drinking, and groundwater is expected to be released next year, marking the first statewide snapshot of its kind.
State Hydrologist David Duffey says because this is still an "emerging issue" they're working to understand the scope of the problem before proposing any regulations to the Minnesota Legislature in 2026.
"Who knows if they're going to ask us to be making rules yet," says Duffey. "We have not had that charge. We've been asked to give them a snapshot, have a way to look at microplastics, develop a method to analyze these in the environment, and we're well on our way to having that ready for them."
Every year, the world makes more than 400 million tons of new plastic, and that could grow by about 70% by 2040 without policy changes. About 100 countries want to limit production. Many have said it’s also essential to address toxic chemicals used to make plastics.
For now, Duffey says staying away from microplastics is all about being "mindful."
"Everyone can is in charge of how much they choose to be exposed to, and they can do their part by being mindful of what they purchase," he adds. "And plastic packaging, for example, is just one thing."
As officials focus on research, several Minnesota cities continue to face legal battles over plastic bag regulations every year, highlighting the divide on how to tackle the larger issue.
Without a comprehensive plan, Minnesota has seen a number of high-profile lawsuits, including a massive settlement with 3M over far-reaching PFAS pollution in the state.
A Minnesota bill that only made it as far as committee hearings in the last legislative session would study microplastics in meat and poultry, and the findings and recommendations could influence future consumer safety regulations in the state.
But microplastics are now being uncovered globally, raising concerns for water everywhere. Some microplastics are deliberately manufactured to be small and added to products. Think glitter in cosmetics, confetti released at celebrations and plastic pellet infill, used between the blades in turf fields to provide cushion and stability.
These tiny plastics inevitably end up in the environment, making their way into the air, water and soil, where they can be inhaled or ingested by humans and other organisms.
Negotiations to reach a major treaty to end growing plastic pollution around the world fell apart this August, with delegates in Switzerland adjourning with no immediate plans to resume.
The consequence of the failed talks is devastating, as it leaves no clear path for nations to collectively address the mountains of plastic that are filling landfills, clogging oceans and showing up in chunks on beaches and other public places.
“Consensus is dead,” Bjorn Beeler, international coordinator for the International Pollutants Elimination Network, upon adjournment.
The final decision, or lack there of, underscored the influence of the United States and other oil-producing countries such as Saudi Arabia, which opposed any limit on the productions of plastics, made mostly from fuels like oil and gas.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.