UNAIR NEWS – Public concern has grown in recent days following reports that rainwater in Surabaya contains microplastic particles. The discussion gained momentum after research detected microplastics in rainfall collected across several parts of the city. The finding has prompted questions about potential new risks to both human health and the environment.
Responding to these concerns, Universitas Airlangga Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) lecturer Dwi Ratri Mitha Isnadina, ST, MT, stressed that microplastics in rainwater should not come as a surprise. She noted that similar findings have been documented globally and reflect broader environmental processes.
“Microplastics have long been detected in rivers and oceans. When water evaporates, these particles can rise into the atmosphere and later return to the surface through rainfall. So this discovery in Surabaya is not unexpected or difficult to explain,” she said.
Origins of microplastics
Isnadina explained that microplastics are plastic particles between 1 micrometer and 5 millimeters in size, while particles smaller than 1 micrometer fall under the category of nanoplastics. Microplastics are classified into two groups based on their source: primary and secondary. “Primary microplastics are manufactured at microscopic size, such as exfoliating beads in face washes. Secondary microplastics come from the breakdown of larger plastic waste,” she said.
She added that microplastics can originate from various human activities, including waste burning. While controlled incineration facilities typically use equipment to manage exhaust gases, open burning releases larger amounts of particles into the air because no filtration system is in place.
Impact on ecosystems
The environmental engineering expert emphasized that microplastics do not pose immediate health risks to humans in the short term. However, she warned that their long-term impact on ecosystems is far more concerning.
“Rainwater containing microplastics eventually flows into rivers and other aquatic environments. There, the particles can be ingested by fish and other organisms, and ultimately enter the human body through the food chain,” she explained.
Studies have also shown that microplastics can attract and carry heavy metals and other hazardous pollutants. Some scientific reports link microplastics to inflammation and cardiovascular problems, although research on their direct effects on human health remains inconclusive.
Isnadina noted that reducing microplastic pollution requires more than consumer awareness, it also depends heavily on industry regulations. She added that microplastic research in Indonesia is still evolving. “If microplastics become a regulatory focus in the future, the standards for monitoring them will become clearer and more rigorous,” she said.
Isnadina urged the public to remain calm and avoid reacting hastily to viral claims without adequate information. “People need to seek reliable information rather than panic. It’s important to understand whether this issue is actually new or has been occurring for some time. With better literacy, the public can respond to such findings more responsibly,” she concluded.
Author: Rizma Elyza
Editor: Yulia Rohmawati
