Microplastics 101
Hey there, long time no see! We’ve been MIA, Molly had a baby and Kim moved in the same week. Between two life-changing events, we needed a little time to get our lives back in order! So we wanted to say hey again with a little blog about microplastics.
You have probably heard about microplastics recently, as people are becoming more aware of environmental impact and growing health concerns. Let’s talk about what they are and why you should care.
What are microplastics?
Microplastics are exactly what they sound like, tiny pieces of plastic (less than 5 millimeters). There are two types:
Primary microplastics: intentionally made for things like cosmetics, exfoliants, or microfibers in synthetic clothing
Secondary microplastics: a result from larger plastic items breaking down. Sunlight, wind, and water exposure can cause plastic to break down into microplastics.
Where do microplastics come from?
Plastic is all around us. Packaging, clothing, food industry, toys, electronics, everywhere. Since plastic isn’t biodegradable, is hard to recycle, and usually isn’t properly disposed of, it often ends up in our environment - mostly in our oceans. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), 35% of microplastics in the ocean come from synthetic textiles, while vehicle tires contribute another 28% through wear and tear on roads.
Why are microplastics a problem?
Microplastics are nearly impossible to remove from the environment. They accumulate in water sources and harm aquatic life. Marine animals often mistake microplastics for food, not only causing serious health problems, but also affecting the food chain. Because they are found in our water, they are also found in the food we eat, which means they end up in our bodies as well.
Fish, shellfish, and plankton are eating and ingesting microplastics. Some of these sea animals we eat, meaning we’re eating microplastics too. While the long-term impacts of humans and microplastics are still being studied, it’s a growing concern. We do know that plastic is unhealthy and is created with toxic chemicals. We also know that BPA mimics estrogen and can cause cancer. But still, we don’t exactly know the impact on human health.
Plastics take hundreds of years to biodegrade. Until they completely biodegrade, they just break down into smaller and smaller pieces, affecting our ecosystem.
Microplastics have been found in the human body. Researchers worry they are affecting fertility. A small study performed earlier this year showed that out of 23 men and 47 dog testicles, microplastics were found in 100% of the testes.
Where are microplastics found?
Microplastics have been found all over the world. They’ve been found in:
oceans (including the ocean floor), rivers, and lakes
soil and farmland (through wastewater or plastic pollution)
air, through the wind
soil from every National Park
Mount Everest
In fact, a 2019 study found microplastics in rainwater samples taken from the Rocky Mountains in the U.S. This shows just how pervasive microplastic pollution has become.
How can you reduce microplastic pollution?
While this problem may seem overwhelming, you can make a difference!
Avoid single-use plastics whenever possible. Start by using reusable bags, water bottles, and glass containers. Opening a plastic water bottle can release anywhere from 100-600 microplastic particles.
Choose natural fibers. This one is trickier, but look for cotton, linen, wool, rather than synthetic fibers like polyester or nylon.
Save the ocean a grocery bag worth of plastic every month by installing a microfiber filter to catch microplastic from your synthetic clothes before they enter the water system.
Support legislation, many countries have banned microbes from personal care products. Support similar initiatives.
Next steps
Researchers are still studying long-term effects of microplastics on both human health and the environment. Waiting around for results is not worth the risk. Let’s not wait until it’s too late, take action now. Reducing plastic use and improving waste management are crucial.
If you want to learn more, we recommend exploring these sites:
Small changes lead to big results!
Final thoughts
Microplastics may be tiny, but their impact is huge. Understanding the issue is the first step toward tackling the problem. With more awareness comes action, we can reduce plastic pollution and protect our health and the planet.
