Plastics

Industry says duty exemption on petrochemical imports has had limited impact as raw material prices stay elevated, demand weakens, and MSMEs face mounting stress

The exemption on a wide range of critical petrochemical products till June 30, 2026, is a temporary and targeted relief to shield domestic manufacturers from disruptions caused by the Iran war

Today's Opinion highlights RBI's draft digital fraud framework, Nepal's political churn under Balen Shah, questions around India's growth optimism, LBS reforms, and a book on plastic's global spread.

As evidence grows, fertility specialists explore whether environmental plastic exposure may play a role in modern reproductive challenges

Scientists find that even tiny prenatal exposure to bisphenol A, a common plastic chemical, can permanently feminise males and masculinise females, reshaping metabolism, immunity and disease risk

From climate change to cancer risk, plastics may be silently harming human health across their entire lifecycle as a Lancet study warns the damage could double by 2040 without urgent action

From brains to blood, microplastics have been reported across the human body; now researchers warn that weak methods and contamination may be distorting the evidence and fuelling unnecessary fear

While they may seem harmless, some everyday products can expose you to toxins and microplastics. An Aiims expert explains what to replace for a healthier life.

Research shows people ingest thousands of microplastic particles each year. Health experts warn of rising risks of cancer, strokes, and hormone disruption

New research shows microplastics infiltrate bone marrow, damage stem cells, and may contribute to rising global fracture and osteoporosis risk

During the most recent set of talks, the US aligned itself with this second group, saying it opposed any restrictions on business and commerce

An international group of researchers and experts has launched an initiative aimed at tracking health impacts due to plastics, ahead of the final negotiations before the signing of the world's first treaty on regulating the chemical substances. Titled 'The Lancet Countdown on Health and Plastics', the launch accompanies the release of a 'Health Policy', which is published in 'The Lancet' journal and a review of currently available evidence on how plastics -- including microplastics and plastic chemicals -- affect human health. The team of experts, including members of the United Nations (UN)-established Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, have authored the 'Health Policy' document. The 'UN Global Plastics Treaty' is a legally binding document aimed to regulate plastics through their life cycle from production to consumption to disposal. The second part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee -- titled 'INC 5.2' -- is scheduled for August 5 to 14, 20

Doctors warn that chai in polythene or substandard plastic cups may leach hormone-disrupting chemicals, raising cancer risk over time

A French study challenges the belief that glass bottles are safer to drink from. It found that they contain up to 50 times more microplastics than plastic or metal bottles

A global study links common household plastics to over 100,000 heart-related deaths in India, revealing an urgent public health crisis hiding in plain sight

Interministerial talks to explore tariff cuts and market access; key sectors under focus include EVs, oil derivatives, plastics, and sensitive farm goods like dairy and almonds

Lucro is a waste management, recycling, and product manufacturing company working to create a circular plastics economy

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday sought to know why plastic flowers were not included in the list of single-use plastic items banned by the Union government. A division bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Bharati Dangre asked if the Centre thought that plastic flowers could be recycled, or are biodegradable. The HC was hearing a petition filed by the Growers' Flower Council of India (GFCI) seeking a direction to the Centre to prohibit the use of plastic flowers. "Is the Union government sure that plastic flowers can be recycled, or that they are biodegradable? They are so flimsy. Can they be recycled?" the court asked, referring to the Centre's affidavit stating that these flowers were not in the list of banned items. The bench referred to a notifications issued by the Union government which stated that single-use plastics which cannot be recycled, or are not biodegradable, are banned. "Are you sure plastic flowers cannot be included in this list?" the bench asked. T

About 8.4 billion tonnes of carbon is estimated to have been accumulated and stored in long-lasting products from around the world made by humans, such as plastics and buildings, between 1995 and 2019, according to a study. Researchers at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands said this 'fossil carbon' added to the 'technosphere' -- the sum of all human-made objects, both in use and discarded -- equals around 93 per cent of carbon dioxide emissions from around the world in 2019. They added that the carbon locked up in the 'technosphere' has a huge potential to add to greenhouse gas emissions. Increasing the lifetime of products and recycling rates are two ways to reduce the amount of fossil carbon entering waste streams, the researchers suggested. "Over these 25 years (1995-2019), 8.4 billion tons of fossil carbon have accumulated, with approximately 0.4 billion tons added each year, with a huge potential for further contribution to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions,"

89% of participants test positive for microplastics; links to clotting and inflammation identified