microplastics

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles (less than 5mm in size) that break off when the plastic is physically damaged or oxidized. Microplastic is everywhere in the ocean, in our rivers and in the air. The smallest pieces blow around in the wind and accumulate every year. Over time, there is more around because plastic is not natural, it does not smell. 

The size of this plastic pollution ranges from microscopic flakes to entire plastic bags and to huge fishing nets with trawlers. All of this threatens all wildlife. This is particularly harmful to marine life, as ingesting these tiny fragments is harmful to their health.

But it doesn't end there. The impact of the smallest sizes of these plastics in our bodies on human health is the most worrying. It can cause cancer and has been shown to disrupt important cell membranes. At best, of all creatures, it tends to hang around and get in the way, and that can't be good.

These particles are so small that many of them cannot be seen without a microscope. But they move in our rivers and ocean currents, moving vast distances in global circulation. Only recently have scientists begun to look for "hot spots" where these particles accumulate. The purpose of these studies is to gather data on the amount and potential risks that exist from these small pieces of waste. However, many problems are already known.

Where are the microplastics?

Microplastics are everywhere. They enter our bodies in food. For example, they can get through the nostrils of farm animals from tire dust that flows from roads. And even our water supply is affected when it enters the rivers that are used to supply our water supply. Many scientists are therefore trying to reduce the use of plastics.

Microplastics in food

Microplastics are found in food. A recent study in Australia found that people ingested up to twenty grams of microplastics each week. In addition, consumers in other countries may consume up to four kilograms of microplastics each month. Some sources of plastic are likely to contain toxic chemicals harmful to humans, while others may not.

Reason for concern

"How can pieces of plastic hurt anyone," you may ask. After all, surely plastic is only made of long-chain polymers of carbon and hydrogen? These two elements are among the most common on Earth.

However, the concern does not come from the plastic resin when it is clean. Some forms of plastics are used in their pure form with no added material. Other plastic polymers would be too brittle without the addition of plasticizers. Bulk materials are also added by manufacturers to reduce the cost of plastic materials.

What chemical additives are in plastics?

Plastic manufacturers rarely disclose what added plasticizers their products contain. Such information is said to be a trade secret. No information is readily available on the tests they perform to verify how safe their ingredients are for human health and the environment.

Steps you can take to reduce microplastics in your diet

  • Do not put plastic containers in the dishwasher

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends avoiding heating plastics in the dishwasher because some heat-treated plastics can leach chemicals. For this reason, it is important to avoid using plastics in the dishwasher. Finally, it is important to reduce the consumption of all types of plastic.

  •  Avoid buying products that contain microbeads

If you buy products that contain microbeads (in places where they have not yet been banned), you may not realize the negative effect. Some say they make your bathroom very grainy. Every time you use the product, you may accidentally ingest some.

 World Health Organization report on the issue called for more research. And in the meantime, she called on governments to ban the production and use of microplastics by 2025.

So from now on, avoid buying cosmetics and other products that contain microplastics from microbeads, such as some toothpaste and some perfume products. At least always wash your hands or rinse your mouth after using cosmetics or toothpaste containing microplastics.

Eat seafood in moderation

We eat seafood contaminated with microplastics all the time. Just change your diet and stop eating fish all the time. Scientists from the University of California at Berkeley conducted a study on the effects of microplastics on fish, birds and other animals. And they are looking for other ways to reduce the number of microplastics in the ocean.

  • Avoid eating processed foods

Another way to reduce microplastics in your body is to stop eating processed foods that contain microplastics. Unlike traditional meat, which can contain larger particles of plastic, processed foods can have more than 10 per cent microplastics per serving. That's a lot of plastic! And that's not the only way microplastics get into our bodies.

  • Support action to limit the use of single-use plastics

Despite some progress in research, there is still no clear answer as to whether microplastics are harmful to human health. Meanwhile, it is quite logical to assume that they are. Many people are already voting against single-use plastic, choosing the one in a returnable non-plastic bottle every time they buy a product. If you care about microplastics, simply join the movement and do the same!

  • Avoid bottled water

One of the biggest contributors to microplastics is drinking water. However, according to a recent study, bottled water contains twice as many plastic particles as tap water. Therefore, avoid water that is in plastic bottles.

Fortunately, there is now a way to reduce the amount of plastic in your tap water by using a microplastic filter available in some filtration products.

Microplastics in other things we eat

But what about the rest of our diet? There is no definitive answer, but research suggests that microplastics can be found in everything from meat to seaweed. In addition to our drinking water, it is found in beer and sea salt.

Microplastics are so small and invisible to the naked eye that it is easy to continue to inadvertently ingest them if they are in our environment (our homes and offices). In the end, there is only one way to avoid them, and that is to drastically reduce sin for everyone.