TOPSHOT - A wave carrying plastic waste and other rubbish washes up on a beach in Koh Samui in the ... [+]
Particles of paint account for more than half (58%) of all the microplastics that end up in the world’s oceans and waterways every year, according to a new study.
The study by the Swiss-based Environmental Action (EA) claims that far more paint is leaking into the oceans than previously thought.
Previously studies have estimated that paint accounts for between 9 and 21% of microplastics in our ocean and waterways.
According to the researchers, 1.9 million tonnes of paint end up in the oceans and waterways every year, which represents 58% of all the microplastics in the water, and outweighs other sources of microplastics, including textile fibres and tyre dust.
Plastic polymers are a key ingredient in many forms of paint and flakes can leak into the environmental while being applied to objects, or through normal wear and tear and removal.
The researchers said paint can have a “significant negative impact” on the environment, especially if it is not disposed of cleanly and safely.
They estimate that more than a third (37%) of the paint leakage into the oceans is a result of waste mismanagement.
While almost a fifth (18%) is caused by wear and tear, or the maintenance of commercial ships and offshore rigs.
The ocean impact company Pinovo, which commissioned the report, estimates that there are approximately 1,100kg of paint microplastic and 260kg of heavy metal emissions from each oil rig every year, based on figures from Norway.
Pinovo argue this is equivalent to more than 100,000 empty plastic bottles being dumped into the ocean from each oil rig every year.
The study also found paint leakage rates vary significantly in different parts of the world.
The rate was found to be 22% in the waters off North America, while in the Asia Pacific region, paint accounted for 54% of total microplastic leakage.
The study also analysed where the paint found in the oceans comes from. Researchers found the architectural sector is by far the largest contributor (48%) to the total amount leaked into the seas, while the road markings sector contributes just 2%.
It does concede that there are environmental benefits to using paint on boats, buildings and other forms of infrastructure in that they protect these objects from corrosion and degradation.
And by increasing the lifetime of these objects, the report adds paint “eliminates the need for frequent replacement or maintenance” that would otherwise be necessary.
Last year, a study by scientists from the University of Plymouth and the Marine Biological Association (MBA) concluded that flakes of paint could be one of the most abundant types of microplastic particles in the ocean. They estimated that each cubic metre of seawater contained an average of 0.01 paint flakes.
Dr. Julien Boucher, EA founder and author of 11 reports on plastic pollution, said: “The intention of this research is not to criticise paint, but to increase the level of knowledge and awareness of the issue, so as to pave the way towards a better-managed paint system where paint can deliver its full value without compromising the health of our environment.”
Pinovo chairman Declan McAdams said the study should be a “wake-up call for the paint industry”.
He added: “We need a systemic change in the use and management of paint, now that these findings have shone a light on the extent of the pollution being caused. We warmly welcome the recent decision by the EU Commission to turn their attention to paint as a source of microplastics. This is a big step in the right direction.”
