Meghan Hodges
Microplastics are small plastic particles that are less than five millimetres in length. They are a type of plastic pollution that is found in a variety of environments, including oceans and freshwater ecosystems. Microplastics can be harmful to the environment and animal health, and have been detected in marine organisms, drinking water, and food products. They are also a source of air pollution, as they can be inhaled and have been found in human tissues and organs. The potential health hazards of microplastics are widely concerning, and countries and businesses are taking action to reduce microplastics in the environment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Plastics less than 5mm in diameter |
| Types | Primary (commercial use, microfibers), Secondary (breakdown of larger plastics) |
| Sources | Degradation of plastics, microbeads, health and beauty products, textiles, fishing nets, plastic bottles, marine plastic litter, plumbing, production facilities, cigarette filters |
| Effects | Toxic and mechanical effects on marine life, reduced food intake, suffocation, behavioral changes, genetic alteration, endocrine disruption, immune system disruption, carcinogenesis, oxidative stress, DNA damage, organ dysfunction, metabolic disorder, neurotoxicity, reproductive and developmental toxicity |
| Human Exposure | Oral intake, inhalation, skin contact |
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What You'll Learn
- Microplastics are found in drinking water, food, and human organs
- They are toxic to marine life and wildlife
- Microplastics are a result of plastic degradation and commercial product development
- They are carriers of pollutants and can cause endocrine disruption in humans
- Efforts to reduce microplastic pollution include the Clean Seas campaign
Microplastics are found in drinking water, food, and human organs
Microplastics are small plastic particles that come from the degradation of plastics. They are less than 5mm in size, insoluble in water, and non-biodegradable. Due to these characteristics, microplastics are easily introduced into the environment and persist there for a long time. They have been detected in drinking water and numerous foods, including salt, seafood, sugar, beer, bottled water, honey, milk, tea, and various marine organisms. The presence of microplastics in food is primarily due to environmental contamination where foods are grown or raised.
Microplastics have been detected in human biological samples, including breast milk, meconium, semen, stool, sputum, and urine. They have also been found in 8 out of 12 human organ systems, including the cardiovascular, digestive, endocrine, integumentary, lymphatic, respiratory, reproductive, and urinary systems. The exact entry routes of microplastics into the human body are unclear, but potential routes include atmospheric inhalation and ingestion through food and water.
The health effects of microplastics on humans are not yet fully understood. While some studies suggest that exposure to microplastics may have impacts on human health, the overall scientific evidence does not demonstrate that the levels of microplastics found in foods or drinking water pose a risk. However, microplastics can act as carriers for harmful chemicals and pathogens from the environment into the human body. After ingestion, the additives and monomers in their composition can interfere with important biological processes and cause disruption to the endocrine and immune systems, negatively impact mobility, reproduction, and development, and cause carcinogenesis.
The increase in global waste, such as discarded personal protective equipment and face masks containing polypropylene, has led to worsening microplastic pollution. Urgent action is needed to address this issue and prevent potential health risks to humans and the environment.
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They are toxic to marine life and wildlife
Microplastics are small plastic particles that are less than 5mm in length. They are a form of plastic pollution that is harmful to the environment and animal health. They are toxic to marine life and wildlife in the following ways:
Ingestion
Marine life and wildlife can ingest microplastics, mistaking them for food. They have been found in the digestive tracts and tissues of various marine animals, including fish, birds, crustaceans, and invertebrates. This ingestion can lead to reduced food intake, suffocation, behavioural changes, and genetic alteration.
Water pollution
Microplastics are present in oceans, lakes, and other water sources, including drinking water. They can pass through water filtration systems and end up in water bodies, where they are consumed by marine life and wildlife.
Air pollution
Microplastics are also a source of air pollution, as they can be found in dust and airborne fibrous particles. They can be inhaled by humans and animals, potentially leading to toxic effects on respiratory health.
Food pollution
Microplastics have been detected in various food products, including seafood, salt, sugar, tea bags, and milk, and agricultural products. They can enter agricultural systems through sewage sludge, compost, and plastic mulching, increasing the risk of human exposure through food consumption.
Toxicity
Microplastics have been found to produce toxic effects in experimental models, including oxidative stress, DNA damage, organ dysfunction, metabolic disorder, immune response, neurotoxicity, and reproductive and developmental toxicity. These toxic effects can impact both wildlife and humans who come into contact with or ingest microplastics.
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Microplastics are a result of plastic degradation and commercial product development
Plastic is everywhere, and a lot of it ends up in landfills, rivers, lakes, dams, and oceans. The majority of plastic in the ocean breaks up into very small particles, which are called "microplastics". These microplastics are the result of plastic degradation and the breakdown of larger plastic items due to environmental factors, solar radiation, and exposure to sea waves.
Microplastics are tiny particles of plastic, usually defined as being less than 5mm in diameter. They are solid particles that are insoluble in water and non-biodegradable, making them easily introduced into the environment and persistent. The polymers within plastics break down during degradation, weakening the material and causing it to fragment into tiny pieces. These microplastics continue to degrade, with the carbon in the polymer eventually converting into CO2, which is absorbed into marine biomass.
Primary microplastics are plastic particles designed to be very small to fulfil a specific function. These plastic microbeads are often found in health, beauty, and personal care products such as exfoliating face washes, toothpaste, and sunscreen. They are washed down the drain and pass through water treatment plants, ending up in waterways and oceans.
Secondary microplastics are formed when larger plastic materials, such as packaging or building materials, break down over time through abrasion, wind, or sun rays. Plastics bags, bottles, food containers, paints, adhesives, electronics, and single-use plastics can all release secondary microplastics.
The presence of microplastics in the environment poses a significant threat to both wildlife and humans. They have been detected in marine organisms, commercial meat, seafood, agricultural products, and drinking water. Studies have shown that once absorbed, microplastics can distribute to various organs in the body and interfere with important biological processes, causing endocrine and immune system disruption, reproductive issues, and development problems.
To address the issue of microplastics, consumers can avoid single-use plastics and products containing microbeads. Industries are also working to redesign plastics using renewable materials that can degrade harmlessly into the environment.
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They are carriers of pollutants and can cause endocrine disruption in humans
Microplastics are a serious environmental concern due to their ability to act as carriers of toxic pollutants. They are small plastic particles, usually less than 5mm in diameter, that come from the degradation of larger plastic debris. They have a high surface area and hydrophobicity, making them effective carriers of contaminants. These contaminants include heavy metals, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and other harmful compounds. Once ingested, these microplastics can release additives and monomers that interfere with biological processes and cause endocrine disruption in humans and other organisms.
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in microplastics can alter the expression of hormone receptors and interfere with the synthesis, secretion, transport, and action of hormones. This can lead to endocrine abnormalities and developmental issues, such as reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity, decreased sperm quality, and immunotoxicity. EDCs have also been linked to more severe health issues, including cancer, diabetes, reproductive disorders, and neurological impairments in developing fetuses and children.
The endocrine-disrupting effects of microplastics have been observed in mammalian endocrine components such as the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, testes, and ovaries. In mice and monkeys, exposure to EDCs has been shown to disrupt oocyte development and impair steroidogenesis. Similarly, in humans, there is evidence of the negative effects of phthalates on granulosa cell steroidogenesis. The impact of microplastics on reproductive health is not limited to internal processes, as they can also affect the reproductive health of humans and wildlife by disrupting the endocrine system.
The pervasive presence of microplastics in the environment is a pressing global issue. They are found in aquatic ecosystems, surface waters, oceans, and estuarine waters, posing a direct threat to marine life. Humans are then exposed to these pollutants through the consumption of seafood, fish, and crustaceans. Microplastics are also detected in drinking water, food, and human stools, indicating their presence in the human food chain. Their durability and resistance to biodegradation contribute to their persistent presence, making them a significant environmental and human health concern.
The release of microplastics into the environment is often a result of agricultural activities, including fertilizer inputs, compost-based soil remediation, irrigation, and atmospheric deposition. They can also come from larger plastic debris that degrades over time, such as plastic bottles, fishing nets, plastic bags, and industrial processes. With their small size, microplastics easily pass through water filtration systems and accumulate in the ocean, posing a long-term threat to aquatic ecosystems and those who depend on them. The impact of microplastics on endocrine disruption highlights the urgent need for global action to protect human health and the environment from these harmful contaminants.
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Efforts to reduce microplastic pollution include the Clean Seas campaign
Microplastics are small plastic particles that are less than 5mm in diameter. They come from the degradation of larger plastics and are also intentionally designed to be small for commercial use. These particles are harmful to the environment and animal health, and have been detected in marine organisms, commercial seafood, and even drinking water.
The Clean Seas campaign is part of the United Nations Environment Programme's (UNEP) broader work on marine litter and plastic pollution. It is the largest global campaign to raise awareness about plastic pollution and marine litter. Since its launch in 2017, 69 countries have joined the campaign, representing 76% of the world's coastline. The campaign has promoted the reduction of plastic use, encouraged the purchase of products with minimal packaging, and advocated for environmentally friendly alternatives to common personal care products.
The Clean Seas campaign has also partnered with the Secretariat of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) to address the impact of cigarettes on human health and the environment. Additionally, the campaign has collaborated with the Arabian Ocean Rowing Team, who rowed 5,000km across the Atlantic Ocean to raise awareness about ocean health and the need to build a positive relationship between humanity and the ocean.
The Clean Seas campaign has been successful in raising awareness and inspiring change to reduce plastic pollution. Through its efforts, an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee was established to support member states in negotiating a legally binding global plastics treaty. The campaign has also contributed to the Global Partnership on Marine Litter and the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment, uniting leaders from the private and public sectors to pursue circular economies around plastics.
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Frequently asked questions
Microplastics are small plastic particles, usually defined as those less than 5mm in diameter. They come from a variety of sources, including the breakdown of larger plastic items, and microbeads, which are manufactured polyethylene plastic pieces used in health and beauty products.
Yes, microplastics are a pollutant. They have been found in a variety of environments, including oceans, freshwater ecosystems, soil, dust, and the air.
Microplastics are harmful to the environment and animal health. They have been detected in many marine species, including plankton, whales, fish, birds, and crustaceans. They have also been found in drinking water and various food products.
The health impacts of microplastics on humans are still being studied. Microplastics have been detected in human stool samples, tissues, organs, and reproductive fluids. Potential health hazards include genetic changes, brain development issues, respiration rate changes, oxidative stress, DNA damage, organ dysfunction, metabolic disorder, immune response, and neurotoxicity.
Many countries are taking action to reduce microplastics in the environment. The United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) has discussed the need for regulations to reduce the hazard of microplastics to oceans, wildlife, and human health. Individuals can also take action by reducing their plastic consumption and joining campaigns such as Clean Seas.
