PETRA seriously considers microplastics as a new contaminant issue

KUALA LUMPUR, July 18, 2024 – In an effort to highlight issues related to new contaminants including microplastics, the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) through the National Water Research Institute of Malaysia (NAHRIM) has conducted studies and research on water quality.

According to its Minister Dato’ Sri Haji Fadillah Yusof, speaking in the Dewan Rakyat, Parliament today, based on NAHRIM’s study of six (6) river basins, the average data collected on the abundance of microplastics in each selected river basin and subsequently to the sea is influenced by anthropogenic activities such as industrial and domestic.

He further stated that currently, there are no compliance standards for new contaminant microplastics in water. For example, the water treatment process needs attention to ensure safe water quality.

“Information from NAHRIM’s research findings is very important for the purpose of improving and strengthening existing guidelines, policies, and laws in the government’s efforts to control plastic and microplastic pollution to ensure the safety and well-being of the water environment.

However, more comprehensive studies need to be conducted to assess the health impact on humans exposed to microplastic pollution. The cooperation of all stakeholders such as the Ministry of Health Malaysia, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, as well as State Governments and Local Authorities is very much needed so that this issue can be addressed more holistically,” said Fadillah.

NAHRIM also organized the First National Microplastics Seminar on July 15 to 16, 2024. The seminar successfully gathered over 39 conference papers discussing microplastic-related issues. The seminar focused not only on water sources and the marine environment but also on the impact on other organisms such as aquatic organisms, soil, and various other mediums.

In an effort to expand research on the presence of new contaminant microplastics in water sources in Malaysia, NAHRIM will also take steps such as using new contaminant documents as a basic document to spread knowledge and awareness about microplastic pollution, establishing a Special Committee to discuss matters related to new contaminants in Malaysia, and improving the Malaysian Raw Water Quality Standards by adding new contaminant parameters.

Other steps include collaborating with the Ministry of Health Malaysia for the collection of primary data on microplastic pollution in raw water sources in Malaysia and the Development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for microplastic sampling and detection to be elevated to Malaysian Standard (MS).