Nurdle Spill Off Thiruvananthapuram: Plastic Pellets Explained
Why in the news
A nurdle spill near Thiruvananthapuram brought attention to plastic pellets and their threat to coasts and marine life.
What are nurdles?
- Tiny plastic pellets, 1 mm to 5 mm across; counted as primary microplastics.
- Made of LDPE (low-density polyethylene) or HDPE (high-density polyethylene).
- Used in packaging, plastic bags, detergent bottles, automotive parts and medical equipment.
- LDPE is hard to recycle.
Impact
| Time frame | Effects |
|---|---|
| Short term | Contaminated beaches and habitats; immediate threat to marine and coastal ecosystems |
| Long term | Breakdown into micro- and nano-plastics; bioaccumulation in marine food chains; reaching people through seafood |
Response
- State government deployed volunteers for beach cleaning.
- Police used drones to judge how far the pellets spread.
- Rapid Response Teams of the State Pollution Control Board worked on the ground.
- Emergency steps tackled oil slicks and hazardous material and aimed to protect fisherfolk livelihoods and marine biodiversity.
Exam angle
- Nurdles are primary microplastics.
- Polymers: LDPE and HDPE.
- Key risk term: bioaccumulation.