Four years after the X-Press Pearl cargo ship disaster off Sri Lanka’s coast, volunteers are still finding toxic plastic pellets—called nurdles—buried in beach sand.
The 2021 incident caused the world’s worst marine plastic spill, releasing billions of nurdles along with toxic substances like nitric acid, lead, copper slag, and engine fuel into the sea.
The immediate aftermath saw dead turtles, dolphins, and fish washing ashore, with beaches turned white by plastic pellets.
Scientists now warn that the environmental damage may be far more severe and long-lasting than initially feared.
New research from Manchester Metropolitan University found that burnt nurdles have absorbed toxic heavy metals, making them even more dangerous to marine life.
Tests on nearby fish revealed hazardous metal levels, possibly linked to the ship’s cargo, raising concerns for human health and seafood safety.
Fishermen say fish stocks have drastically declined since the disaster, severely affecting their livelihoods and forcing some to consider leaving the country.
The ship’s owner, X-Press Feeders, claims it has spent over $130 million on recovery and cleanup, but Sri Lanka’s government argues this is insufficient.
Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court recently ordered the company to pay $1 billion for long-term environmental and economic damages, but enforcement remains uncertain due to legal limits and international jurisdiction.
Experts estimate the true cost of the disaster could exceed $6 billion, citing impacts on marine ecosystems, tourism, public health, and local communities.
Frustrated by delays in compensation and cleanup, many coastal residents believe justice has yet to be delivered.
