Core Viewpoint - Microplastics (MP) and nanoplastics (NP) have infiltrated the ecosystem of Mount Everest, affecting soil microbial communities and potentially entering the food chain through livestock, highlighting the urgent need to address plastic pollution even in remote high-altitude environments [3][17]. Group 1: Research Findings - The study published in Cell Reports Sustainability indicates that microplastics and nanoplastics are present in various components of the Mount Everest ecosystem, including soil, water, atmosphere, snow, yak dung, and road dust [3][17]. - The average concentrations of microplastics in different samples from Mount Everest are as follows: 65.0 particles/kg in soil, 3.8 particles/L in water, 6.9 particles/m²·day in atmospheric deposition, 95.0 particles/L in snow, 36.5 particles/kg in yak dung, and 23.4 particles/kg in road dust [8][13]. - The most common type of microplastic found is polyamide (PA), accounting for 25.1%, followed by polyethylene (PE) at 19.4%, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) at 13.5%, and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) at 7.7% [8][16]. Group 2: Sources and Impacts - The study identifies potential sources of microplastics and nanoplastics as wear from climbers' gear, vehicular traffic, and long-range atmospheric transport, with the Everest Base Camp showing the highest concentration of microplastics [16][17]. - Nanoplastics were quantified for the first time, with average concentrations of 4.9 mg/kg in soil, 1.9 mg/L in water, and 0.13 particles/m²·day in the atmosphere [8][13]. - The presence of microplastics has been shown to alter the diversity and composition of soil microbial communities, indicating a potential risk to high-altitude ecosystems [12][16]. Group 3: Policy Implications - The findings suggest a need for stricter regulations on waste management for climbers and hikers, as well as the implementation of equipment standards to reduce plastic shedding [17]. - The research supports global efforts to address plastic pollution, emphasizing that plastic waste is a challenge that extends beyond urban and marine environments [17]. - The study calls for sustainable outdoor clothing choices and a reduction in single-use plastics to mitigate the impact of plastic pollution on remote ecosystems [17].