Welcome to Higginson Strategy’s weekly round-up of international news relating to plastic pollution.
This week, a Swedish study of over 11,000 children has found that very high prenatal PFAS exposure may increase asthma risk. New research co-authored by Ocean Conservancy scientists reveals that three-quarters of marine mammals most vulnerable to plastic pollution are already on the brink of extinction. India’s National Academy of Agricultural Sciences warns that microplastic pollution poses a mounting threat to agriculture. California is debating how to allocate a proposed $5 billion fund to reduce plastic pollution. Finally, Portugal has launched its national Deposit Return Scheme under the brand Volta, rolling out over 3,000 collection points for plastic, aluminium, and steel beverage containers nationwide.
Researchers identify link between PFAS exposure and asthma risk in children
A Swedish study analysing data from more than 11,000 children has found that very high prenatal exposure to PFAS “forever chemicals” may increase the risk of asthma, with the most alarming cases in towns like Ronneby, where drinking water contaminated by firefighting foam left residents with exposure levels hundreds of times higher than the general population.
Read more here.
Most endangered marine mammals face highest plastic risk
A new study co-authored by scientists at Ocean Conservancy, Arizona State University and Shaw Institute has ranked marine mammals by their vulnerability to plastic pollution, finding that three-quarters of the most at-risk species are already on the brink of extinction — among them Hawaiian monk seals, African manatees, Australian sea lions, vaquita porpoises, and Mediterranean monk seals.
Read more here.
Microplastics in India’s agriculture: A growing problem demanding urgent action
India’s National Academy of Agricultural Sciences has sounded the alarm on microplastic pollution in a newly released report, warning that global plastic production hit an estimated 413.8 million tonnes in 2024, having already surged 79% between 2000 and 2015, posing a serious and growing threat to sustainable environmental management.
Read more here.
California debates $5B fund for ‘transformative shift’ from plastic
California is entering a heated debate over how to spend a proposed $500 million-a-year fund tackling plastic pollution, with the central question being whether the money should drive a truly transformative shift away from plastic or be directed toward more incremental solutions.
Read more here.
Portugal kicks off national Deposit Return Scheme for drinks packaging
Portugal has officially launched its national Deposit Return Scheme, branded Volta, introducing more than 3,000 collection points across the country for plastic, aluminium, and steel beverage containers, marking a significant step forward in the country’s efforts to tackle single-use packaging waste.
Read more here.