Current Context : Following the sinking of the cargo vessel MSC ELSA 3 off the Kerala coast on May 25, 2025, large quantities of plastic pellets, known as nurdles, have washed ashore along the southern coast of Kerala and into Tamil Nadu, raising significant environmental concerns.

What Are Nurdles?

• Definition: Small plastic pellets (1–5 mm) used as raw material in plastic production
• Material: Polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, PVC
• Classification: Primary microplastics

Environmental Hazards

• Pollution Risk:
  • Mistaken for food by marine animals
  • Breaks into nano/microplastics → enters food chain
• Ecosystem Damage: Threat to marine biodiversity and fisheries.