Most Fijians could be carrying microplastics, warns Environment Chief

Most Fijians may be carrying microplastics in their bodies without knowing it, with no national system in place to detect the particles, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has warned.

Ministry permanent secretary Dr Sivendra Michael raised concerns today, citing findings from the recent Plastic and Health Conference in Brisbane, Australia.

“Maybe half or three quarters of us, or maybe all of us, are sitting here with microplastics in our system,” he said.

Microplastics, tiny plastic particles often invisible to the naked eye, can enter the human body through food, water, and air.

Studies worldwide suggest they may carry potential health risks, particularly for babies, pregnant women, and other vulnerable groups.

Dr Michael said simple urine or blood tests could detect microplastics, but Fiji currently lacks a dedicated testing programme.

“As a ministry, this is something that we are looking to go into, to try and have this analysis and raise awareness,” he said.

In an earlier report, the Ministry found that nearly 75 per cent of fish sampled in Fiji’s waters contain microplastics.

The Ministry is also planning its own laboratory to conduct water and air quality testing, which could support broader environmental and public health monitoring.

Dr Michael made the remarks while opening a national workshop on strengthening Fiji’s plastics data systems at the Novotel Suva Lami Bay.