The occurrence of microplastics in the environment has attracted attention in recent years. This is particularly evident in the huge volumes of initiatives, research, projects and actions that are taking place both internationally and in Sweden. The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (Swedish EPA) sees the occurrence of microplastics in the environment as an important ongoing issue. While we are dependent on synchronisation of results within the EU and other countries, and sometimes have to wait for others’ results, our own work in Sweden needs to continue. The Swedish EPA considers that the conditions for reducing the dispersal of microplastics in the environment has been improved by the measures it proposes here. To continue making progress, we need to increase our knowledge of sources, dispersal and effects.

Proposals for action

The Swedish EPA proposes that the Government:

• Introduces a notification requirement for facilities using artificial grass and moulded granulate surfaces and for equestrian arenas containing rubber or plastics.

The Swedish EPA undertakes to be a national knowledge node for microplastics in the environment. We consider that in the immediate future, the greatest need will lie in the collection and dissemination of knowledge. The measures below could be included as part of this node work and be, to a large extent, financed by the increase requested in the Swedish EPA’s budget.

• Measures for supervisory guidance for artificial grass pitches and other outdoor facilities for sports and play.
• Continued financing of pre-procurement purchasing group for artificial grass.
• Work towards a change in criteria in the Ecodesign Directive for washing machines.
• Promote the use of domestic filter solutions for households.
• Measures for laundries.

The Swedish EPA also undertakes to support other authorities as a knowledge node by taking in, collecting and disseminating new knowledge. The agency considers it appropriate for this responsibility be evaluated and reviewed after five years.

Commission

The Swedish EPA has focused on quantified land-based sources. We are reducing the gaps in knowledge and providing the action proposals above. An important starting point for the current commission is the list of the largest emission sources and important dispersion routes presented by the Swedish EPA in its first commission in May 2017. The largest quantified source, road traffic, is handled by VTI, the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute, in a separate commission. The second and fourth largest sources, artificial grass pitches and washing of textiles, are handled in this commission. The work on the third largest source, boat hulls, is coordinated by the Swedish Transport Agency.

Litter is probably a major source of microplastics – perhaps the largest – but very difficult to quantify. In view of the EU’s extensive work, for example on its plastic strategy, the recently adopted single-use plastics directive, and ongoing national efforts, such as information dissemination, beach cleaning and the recent concluded inquiry on sustainable plastic use, the Swedish EPA has chosen not to investigate this source in more detail in this commission.

The Swedish EPA reports new sources, such as construction and demolition waste, and other uses of artificial grass.

In its proposed measures, the Swedish EPA has not intended to anticipate the results from the inquiry Giftfri och cirkulär återföring av fosfor från avloppsslam [Non-toxic and circular return of phosphorus from sewage sludge], and the commissions of the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI) and the Swedish Food Agency (Livsmedelsverket), respectively.

New knowledge of occurrence and effects 

Knowledge of the presence and effects of microplastics in surface waters in lakes and oceans has increased in recent years. However, the presence and effects in soil and air and the health risks to humans are less well-known. There is a consensus among researchers that the negative effects increase the smaller the particles are.

On 30 April 2019, the EU Commission’s scientific advisory function, SAM, published a scientific opinion. This outlines increasing concern about the presence of microplastics in air, soil and sediment. It also noted that, although ecological risks are rare at present, there are at least a few local areas, in coastal waters and sediments, in which effects could occur. If future emissions remain at the same level as today or increase, the risks may be extensive within a century. The report has also listed possible measures, such as incorporating microplastics into relevant directives or reducing emissions at source.

New knowledge of artificial grass pitches, outdoor facilities and textiles

Knowledge of emissions from artificial grass pitches, textile production and laundry facilities has increased. We can, with greater certainty, quantify emissions from artificial grass pitches that result in lower, but still large, total emissions than previously estimated. However, knowledge of emissions from other outdoor sports and play facilities is comparatively low. The size of the area involved, the size of the total emissions, life expectancy, etc. are areas where more knowledge is needed. The emissions from textile production are estimated to be significantly lower than those from laundry facilities, partly because the number of production plants is low in Sweden, compared to the number of laundry facilities. The largest amounts of microplastics from textile washing are still assumed to come from domestic washing. There are already examples of filter solutions that can be installed on washing machines meant to reduce emission of microplastics into the output water, but their efficacy needs to be verified. There is also a need to ensure that the use of filter solutions does not contribute to a conflict of objectives between different environmental impact categories, such as increased energy consumption and climate impact. The Swedish EPA sees a need for further analyses. 

No new findings have been made which would reverse or drastically alter either the previous understanding of the major sources or the order of size of emissions. We have, however, expanded our knowledge base in certain areas.

New knowledge of dispersal pathways 

Knowledge of what happens to microplastics in wastewater treatment plants has increased. A new study shows that microplastics are present in more purification stages than previously noted and that there are still significant uncertainties in the measurement results. Previous analyses showing a 95–99 % purification rate in outgoing water have been verified. For storm water, a study of storm water wells in Gothenburg shows the presence of microplastics, which are largely assumed to come from tyre wear and road surfacing.