Plastic Pollution: An Invasive Presence In Our World

Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that has devastating impacts on marine life, wildlife, and human health. It can be found in the ocean, in drinking water, in the soil where we grow our vegetables, and even in human blood and placentas. The first scientific findings of marine plastic debris were published in 1972, and since then, plastic pollution has become an increasingly urgent problem. With microplastics now part of the food chain, it is essential to address this issue through diverse policies and local action to limit future plastic emissions and protect our ecosystems.

In the ocean

Plastic pollution can be found in the ocean, thousands of kilometres from land, in the central gyres. The first scientific findings of marine plastic debris were published in 1972, reporting on small plastic particles found in the Sargasso Sea.

Plastic pollution in the ocean has a devastating impact on marine life and ecosystems. Animals can be harmed when they come into contact with plastic items, or ingest them, which can cause suffocation, entanglement, laceration, infections and internal injuries. 17% of the species affected by the presence of plastic in the ocean are on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species. Floating plastic items can also help transport invasive species, which leads to threats for marine ecosystems, biodiversity and the food web.

Microplastics have now become part of the food chain and have been found in drinking water, salt, beer and in the soil where we grow our vegetables. They have also been found in human blood and placentas. Several chemicals used in the production of plastic materials are known to be carcinogenic and can cause developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune disorders.

The build-up of plastic litter can also have a negative impact on a country’s economy and trade systems, with income declines in sectors such as small- and medium-enterprises, the informal sector, tourism, fisheries, agriculture, and water safety.

In drinking water

Plastic pollution is found in drinking water. Research has found microplastics in tap water, beer, and salt. These microplastics have also been found in human blood and placentas. Several chemicals used in the production of plastic materials are known to be carcinogenic and can cause developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune disorders.

The presence of microplastics in drinking water is a serious concern for human health. These tiny plastic particles can be ingested and absorbed into the body, potentially leading to harmful health effects. While the full extent of the health risks associated with microplastic ingestion is not yet fully understood, there is growing evidence that suggests it could have negative consequences.

Microplastics can come from a variety of sources, including the breakdown of larger plastic items, such as plastic bottles, bags, and straws. They can also be released into the environment through industrial processes, such as the washing of synthetic fibres in clothing. Once released, microplastics can make their way into water sources, where they are difficult to remove due to their small size.

The issue of plastic pollution in drinking water highlights the need for better waste management practices and the reduction of single-use plastics. It also underscores the importance of investing in research and technology to address this growing global problem. By taking action to reduce plastic pollution, we can help protect human health and the environment from the potential harms of microplastics.

In food and drinks

Plastic pollution is a defining legacy of modern life, and it is now so widespread that it is even finding its way into the food and drinks we consume. Plastics are used in a wide array of consumer and industrial products, from toys and household appliances to cosmetics and medical applications. Limited amounts of plastics are recycled or incinerated, leaving most plastic waste to accumulate in landfills and the environment. Plastic pollution can be found throughout the environment, from land to streams and inland waterways to the coast and the ocean.

Microplastics and nanoplastics may be present in food, primarily from environmental contamination where foods are grown or raised. One study estimated that there are around 24.4 trillion fragments of microplastics in the upper regions of the world's oceans. They have been found in many marine species, but also in drinking water and in numerous foods, such as salt, honey, and marine organisms.

Plastic pollution has been detected in fruit and vegetables as they grow, and it has even been found buried in Antarctic sea ice and within the guts of marine animals inhabiting the deepest ocean trenches. It shows up in seawater samples across the planet and on the beaches of remote, uninhabited islands.

In addition to the environmental contamination of food, plastic packaging also poses a risk to food safety. Food packaging found on the market for food products such as dairy, meat, fish, and drinks, including mineral water, is made largely from plastic. This means that plastic is in direct contact with the food and drinks we consume, increasing the risk of plastic pollution infiltrating our food and drinks.

In human blood and placentas

Plastic pollution has been found in human blood and placentas, as well as in food and drinks such as tap water, beer, and salt. Several chemicals used in the production of plastic materials are known to be carcinogenic and can cause developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune disorders.

Microplastics have now become part of the food chain and have been found everywhere, including in drinking water, salt, beer, and in the soil where we grow our vegetables. This has a devastating impact on marine life and ecosystems, with 17% of the species affected by the presence of plastic in the ocean listed as threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species.

The build-up of plastic litter can also have a negative impact on a country's economy and trade systems, with income declines in sectors such as small- and medium-enterprises, tourism, fisheries, and agriculture.

Governments should come together to limit future plastic emissions now, before they transform ecosystems irreparably. Diverse policies are necessary at every level of governance, and we have already seen policies enacted at the local level, with single-use product bans for bags, straws, and microbeads.

In the soil

Plastic pollution is found in many places, including the soil. Microplastics have been found in the soil where we grow our vegetables. They have also been found in human blood and placentas, as well as in food and drinks, including tap water, beer, and salt.

Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic that are less than five millimetres in size. They can come from a variety of sources, including the breakdown of larger plastic items, such as water bottles, and the shedding of tiny plastic fibres from synthetic clothing.

The presence of microplastics in the soil is a concern for several reasons. Firstly, they can be ingested by organisms living in the soil, such as earthworms and microorganisms, potentially causing harm to their health. Secondly, microplastics can absorb and release toxic chemicals, which can then be taken up by plants and enter the food chain. Finally, microplastics can contribute to soil degradation and reduce soil fertility, as they do not break down easily and can accumulate over time.

There are several ways in which microplastics can end up in the soil. One major source is the disposal of plastic waste in landfills. As plastic items break down, they can release microplastics into the surrounding soil. Another source is the use of sewage sludge, or biosolids, as fertiliser. Microplastics can be present in sewage due to the shedding of plastic fibres from clothing during washing, and these can then be transferred to the soil when sludge is applied as fertiliser. Additionally, microplastics can be directly released into the environment through the use of products containing microbeads, such as certain cosmetics and cleaning products.

To reduce the presence of microplastics in the soil, it is important to minimise plastic waste and properly dispose of plastic items. This can include recycling, reusing, and reducing the use of single-use plastics. Additionally, the use of sewage sludge as fertiliser should be carefully regulated to prevent the transfer of microplastics to agricultural soils.

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