Researchers from Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) have raised serious concerns after microplastics were detected in rainfall in Surabaya, Indonesia, signalling a growing level of atmospheric pollution. Environmental expert Prof. Arseto Yekti Bagastyo explained that this phenomenon occurs through atmospheric deposition, in which tiny plastic particles suspended in the air eventually fall to the earth’s surface through rain.
These microplastics originate from the degradation of larger plastic waste, broken down by heat, ultraviolet radiation, wind, and human activity into fragments smaller than five millimeters. Once carried by rain, the particles flow into rivers and seas, settle in the soil, and are absorbed by microorganisms and aquatic life. A process that over time can lead to accumulation in the human body and pose serious health risks.
According to Prof. Arseto, this is not merely an environmental issue, but a reflection of unsustainable consumption patterns combined with ineffective waste management systems. Many landfill sites in Indonesia still rely on open dumping practices, while fewer than half operate under controlled sanitary landfill systems. This reality, he stressed, represents a critical warning for local governments and communities alike.
Prof. Arseto emphasized that solving the problem requires collective action. Waste must be managed in an integrated way, from the source to its final disposal, involving authorities, institutions, and the public. He concluded that the emergence of microplastics in Surabaya’s rain is nature’s alarm demanding an immediate and coordinated response, in line with global efforts to achieve responsible consumption and climate action.