Science Weekly Why can’t the world get its act together on plastics?
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Aug 19, 2025 
Karen McVeigh, a Senior reporter for Guardian Seascapes, brings her expertise on ocean health to the discussion of the plastic crisis. She delves into the disastrous nurdle spill off Kerala’s coast and its lasting impact on marine life and local fishing communities. The conversation highlights the alarming presence of microplastics in the human brain and the ongoing global struggle to reach a plastics treaty, hindered by resistance from oil-dependent nations. Despite setbacks, McVeigh emphasizes the need for collaboration and action to tackle plastic pollution.
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Kerala Nurdle Spill And Community Impact
- The MSC Elsa-3 capsized off Kerala carrying 71,000 sacks of nurdles and fewer than 8,000 were recovered by July.
- Volunteers and fishermen still find nurdles washing up months later, especially after monsoon storms.
Why Nurdles Persist In Oceans
- Nurdles are buoyant, tiny plastic pellets that are almost impossible to fully recover once in the marine environment.
- They circulate in sand and currents for years, damaging ecosystems and livelihoods.
Nurdles Amplify Chemical And Biological Harm
- Marine animals ingest nurdles, which can cause choking, death and transfer toxic chemicals up the food chain.
- Nurdles attract PCBs and PFAS and can carry harmful bacteria, introducing a cocktail of toxins into ecosystems.