Science hasn’t yet determined the rate at which larger plastics break down into microplastics. They are also still researching how quickly microplastics become “nanoplastics” – even smaller particles invisible to the eye.
A graphic of where microplastics come from, including paint, textiles, personal care products and tyres
Measuring the microplastic scourge
It’s difficult to assess the volume of microplastics in the air, soil and water. But researchers have attempted it. For example, a 2020 study estimated between 0.8 and three million tonnes of microplastics enter Earth’s oceans in a year.
And a recent report suggests leakage into the environment on land could be three to ten times greater than that to oceans. If correct, it means between ten and 40 million tonnes in total. The news gets worse. By 2040, microplastic releases to the environment could more than double. Even if humans stopped the flow of microplastics into the environment, the breakdown of bigger plastics would continue.
Microplastics have
been detected in more than 1,300 animal species, including fish, mammals, birds and insects. Some animals mistake the particles for food and ingest it, leading to harm such as blocked intestines. Animals are also harmed when the plastics inside them release the chemicals they contain – or those hitch-hiking on them.
Invaders in our bodies
Microplastics have been identified in the water we drink, the air we breathe and the food we eat – including seafood, table salt, honey, sugar, beer and tea. Sometimes the contamination occurs in the environment. Other times it’s the result of food processing, packaging and handling. More data is needed on microplastics telegram database users list in human foods such as land-animal products, cereals, grains, fruits, vegetables, beverages, spices, and oils and fats.
The concentrations
of microplastics in foods vary how to segment your telegram audience for better marketing widely – which means exposure levels in humans around the world also varies. However, some estimates, such as humans ingesting a credit card’s worth of plastic every week, are gross overstatements. As equipment has advanced, scientists have identified smaller particles. They’ve found microplastics in our lungs, livers, kidneys, blood and reproductive organs. Microplastics have crossed protective barriers into our brains and hearts. While we eliminate some microplastics through urine, faeces and our lungs, many loan data persist in our bodies for a long time.
Graphic of
body showing where microplastics get in, with red markers pointing to locations
So what effect does this have on the health of humans and other organisms? Over the years, scientists have changed the way they measure this. They initially used high doses of microplastics in laboratory tests. Now they use a more realistic dose that better represents what we and other creatures are actually exposed to.And the nature of microplastics differ. For example, they contain different chemicals and interact differently with liquids or sunlight. And species of organisms, including humans, themselves vary between individuals.
This complicates scientists’ ability to conclusively link microplastics exposure with effects. In regards to humans, progress is being made. In coming years, expect greater clarity about effects on our bodies such as:
inflammation
oxidative stress (an imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants that damages cells)
immune responses
genotoxicity – damage to the genetic information in a cell that causes mutations, which can lead to cancer.
What can we do?
Public concern about microplastics is growing. This is compounded by our likely long-term exposure, given microplastics are almost impossible to remove from the environment. Microplastic pollution is the result of human actions and decisions. We created the problem – and now we must create the solution.
Some countries
have implemented laws regulating microplastics. But this is insufficient to address the challenge. That’s where a new legally binding agreement, the UN’s Global Plastics Treaty, offers an important opportunity. The fifth round of negotiations begins in November.
The treaty aims to reduce global production of plastics. But the deal must also include measures to reduce microplastics specifically. Ultimately, plastics must be redesigned to prevent microplastics being released. And individuals and communities must be brought on board, to drive support for government policies.
After 20 years
of microplastics research, there is more work to be done. But we have more than enough evidence to act now.
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.