Table 5 (a) Policies to reduce current exposure to MNP and toxic additives to plastic

1

Expand testing and enforcement of existing Israeli standards for certification of food-, beverage- and child-contact plastic and enlarge the list of toxic chemicals tested as new data on the toxicity of various chemicals are published in scientific literature

2

Perform periodic national monitoring of EDCs and other toxic additives to plastic in a representative national sample of the Israeli population to follow trends in exposure over time, identify those populations most at risk and to tailor intervention programs appropriately

3

Identify sources of exposure to MNPs by ingestion through periodic surveys of the concentration of MNPs in beverages (tap water, bottled water, bottled beverages, milk and fruit juices), and food (agricultural products sold at both wholesale and retail levels; processed food products; food manufacturing facilities)

4

Identify sources of exposure to MNPs by inhalation through funding of periodic surveys of the concentration of MNPs in indoor air (households, classrooms, health care facilities, workplaces and indoor sports facilities) and out-door air (children's playgrounds, amusement parks, sports stadiums, sewage treatment facilities, factories for plastic recycling)

5

Promote non-plastic alternatives to synthetic grass and crumb rubber in playgrounds, parks and sports facilities to reduce exposure to MNPs by inhalation and dermal contact

6

Reduce dermal exposure to MNPs through bans on import, manufacture and sale of cosmetics, personal care products, cleaning products and glitter manufactured with MNPs

7

Require labelling of all food-, beverage-, and child-contact plastic, with name of manufacturer and compliance with Israeli standards for food-safe, beverage-safe and child-safe plastic. For food and beverage containers, labelling should include the safe temperature to which they can be heated without danger that toxic chemicals may leach into the food/beverage

8

An official website of an authoritative governmental body should be established, providing information about safe use of food-, beverage-, and child-contact plastics, with explanations about the labelling on plastic products, and a clear recommendation against heating or serving hot food and beverages in any plastic container unless it is certified as food-safe and not used at a temperature above that recommended by the manufacturer

The public should be advised to avoid buying cosmetics, body care products, cleaning products or glitter containing MNP or microplastic beads (as long as there is no ban on their sale)

The website should be regularly updated and have a call center or chatbot that will allow the public to ask questions

9

Public awareness campaigns should be launched, to educate the public and encourage behavioral changes to reduce exposures

National and local health promotion campaigns are needed to promote safe use of plastic and encourage use of alternatives to plastic, such as glass, wood, metal, ceramics, fabrics from natural materials

10

Special health promotion programs should be implemented for those populations most likely to have exposure to MNPs or toxic additives to plastic which can affect their health or that of their children: pregnant mothers, infants and children, as well as both members of a couple who are trying to conceive. Such a program can be integrated into the preventive health care services of Israel

(b) Policies to reduce future exposure to MNP and toxic additives by reduction in plastic pollution

1

Re-enact the tax on SUP to discourage consumption. The tax should be placed on all plastic designed to be used once and then discarded, including SUP used to package and transport take-away food, home deliveries of food, and serving of food and beverages

2

Expand the current, effective, "Single-Use Plastic Bags Reduction Law" to other retail stores

3

Pass a nationwide prohibition on the use of SUP on public beaches, nature reserves and parks

4

Transition towards a model that prioritizes reduction in plastic production, importation and sale by promotion of alternatives to plastic, along with promotion of a circular economy for plastic [179]

5

Production of less plastic and a shift towards use of renewable energy sources for plastic manufacture and recycling to reduce their contribution to global warming [180]

6

Support continuing research on environmental sources of plastic pollution in Israel, and methods for its reduction

7

Recycling plants themselves should not be a source of MNP pollution, neither air pollution nor pollution of wastewater. An official standard should be established on MNP emissions for factories manufacturing or recycling plastic, as well as wastewater treatment plants, [181]

8

Expand implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) of producers for the entire lifecycle of plastic products, incentivizing sustainable design and recycling