Roberto Rosal
Professor of Chemical Engineering in the Department of Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at the University of Alcalá
In this article, the authors propose a new indicator for measuring pollution from plastic particles, microplastics and nanoplastics, known as the plastic particle footprint (PPF). The underlying principle is that the entire weight of a plastic item will, sooner or later, break down into persistent particles, unless it is destroyed at a molecular level through processes such as incineration. The authors compare the results of this approach with the carbon footprint and conclude that, although certain plastic items may reduce greenhouse gas emissions, they should be penalised because they generate pollution from persistent particles that does not exist in alternatives such as wood or cotton.
The justification for this approach lies in the fact that determining the actual rates of plastic fragmentation and its impact on the environment and human health is, in essence, unfeasible given the current state of scientific knowledge. As an alternative, the authors apply the precautionary principle, assuming that all plastic fragments down to nanoplastics and that everything that fragments poses a hazard, unless proven otherwise, including all plastics deposited in landfills. The consideration of the maximum potential flow of contaminating particles is an interesting contribution that may help to refine decisions which might otherwise underestimate the long-term environmental impact of plastics. However, given the highly simplified nature of the estimates involved, this could lead to significant overestimates, and the calculation should therefore be treated with caution.