How dangerous are microplastics and how often do people ingest them?

CBS News

20 Jun 202406:15

Summary

TLDRMicro plastics are pervasive, originating from human-produced plastic waste that degrades into small particles. These particles, including fibers, fragments, films, foam, and microbeads, contaminate water, air, and even human bloodstreams. Studies suggest that micro and nano plastics can lead to health risks, including a threefold increase in heart attack risk. To mitigate this, incineration and waste-to-energy treatment plants are recommended. Individuals can reduce exposure by minimizing fat and meat consumption.

Takeaways

🌍 Microplastics are pervasive, found in various environments including the deepest oceanic trenches and the summit of Mount Everest.
🚯 Humans produce approximately 430 million tons of plastic waste annually, much of which degrades into microplastics.
🔬 There are five varieties of microplastics: fibers, fragments, film, foam, and microbeads, which originate from different plastic products.
🌊 Microplastics contaminate water sources, air, and even the human bloodstream, affecting both animals and humans.
🐟 In the upper oceans, an estimated 24.4 trillion microplastics are present, which are ingested by smaller organisms and enter the food chain.
🍽️ The average person ingests or inhales up to 114,000 microplastic particles per year through everyday activities like drinking, breathing, and eating.
🏥 Micro and nanoplastics have been linked to health risks, including a threefold increase in potential heart attacks within three years, as per a study from Italy.
🧠 The human brain may contain around 5 to 10 grams of plastic, primarily in the form of nanoplastics, which are too small to be seen without sophisticated equipment.
🔥 Incineration of plastics and the construction of waste-to-energy treatment plants are suggested as societal solutions to reduce microplastic pollution.
🥩 To minimize individual exposure, it's advised to reduce the consumption of fats and meats, as the primary uptake of microplastics into the body is through ingestion.

Q & A

What is the annual global production of plastic waste according to the United Nations?
-Humans currently produce about 430 million tons of plastic waste each year according to the United Nations.
How do micro plastics form?
-Micro plastics form when large plastics break down through physical abrasion, weathering, and other processes, releasing micro plastics into rivers, oceans, groundwater, and the air.
What are the five different varieties of micro plastics mentioned in the script?
-The five varieties of micro plastics are fibers, fragments, film, foam, and microbeads.
Where have micro plastics been found according to the script?
-Micro plastics have been found everywhere, from the deepest oceanic trench in the world to the top of Mount Everest.
How many micro plastics are estimated to be in the upper oceans alone?
-According to Japanese researchers, there are an estimated 24.4 trillion micro plastics in the upper oceans alone.
What happens to micro plastics in the environment after they are consumed by smaller animals?
-Micro plastics consumed by smaller animals like zoo plankton are then eaten by larger animals, but the particles stay in the larger animal's stomach and are eventually passed on to humans.
How many micro plastic particles do people ingest, inhale, or consume per year?
-According to a 2019 study, people ingest or inhale approximately 114,000 micro plastic particles per year through drinking, breathing, and eating.
What are the potential health risks of consuming micro and nano plastics?
-Research from a group in Italy suggests that the amount of blood vessel content of plastics is associated with a threefold increase of potential heart attack within the next three years.
How much micro plastics are estimated to be in an adult human brain?
-An adult human brain probably has around five to ten grams of plastic, which is about the size of a plastic spoon.
What is the recommended individual action to reduce the uptake of micro plastics?
-The best advice from the expert's team is to reduce the amount of fats and meats in your diet, as the biggest amount of uptake into your body is through ingestion.
What does the expert suggest as a societal solution to reduce micro plastics?
-The expert suggests that incineration of plastics and more aggressive construction and implementation of waste energy treatment plants could be the best societal solution to reduce micro plastics.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 Micro Plastics: A Global Environmental Concern

Micro plastics are pervasive in our environment, with studies indicating that humans produce approximately 430 million tons of plastic waste annually, much of which degrades into micro plastics. These tiny particles, resulting from the breakdown of larger plastics through processes like physical abrasion and weathering, contaminate rivers, oceans, groundwater, and even the air. They come in five varieties: fibers from clothing, fragments from broken larger plastics, film from degraded items, foam from food containers, and microbeads used in personal care products. Micro plastics have been found in every corner of the globe, from the deepest ocean trenches to the peak of Mount Everest, and are ingested by humans and animals, potentially leading to health risks.

05:00

🚨 Health Impacts and Solutions to Micro Plastic Pollution

The presence of micro and nano plastics in the human body poses significant health risks, with research suggesting a link between cardiovascular issues and plastic content in the blood. Despite efforts to reduce plastic use, the challenge remains immense due to the vast quantities already in the environment. A University of Nebraska professor suggests that incineration and waste-to-energy treatment plants could be part of the solution at a societal level. On an individual level, reducing the intake of fats and meats, which are significant sources of micro plastic ingestion, is advised. However, the professor also cautions against non-scientifically backed advice and emphasizes the importance of focusing on dietary changes as a practical step towards reducing plastic consumption.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Micro plastics

Micro plastics refer to small particles of plastic less than 5mm in size, which are a significant environmental concern due to their pervasive presence and potential impact on health and ecosystems. In the video, it is mentioned that humans produce about 430 million tons of plastic waste annually, much of which degrades into micro plastics. These particles can be found in rivers, oceans, groundwater, and even the air, and they can be consumed by animals and humans, highlighting their ubiquity and the need for awareness and action.

💡Degradation

Degradation in the context of the video refers to the process by which larger plastic materials break down into smaller particles, such as micro plastics, through physical abrasion, weathering, and other environmental processes. This is a key mechanism by which micro plastics are formed and dispersed into the environment, as illustrated by the script's explanation of how large plastics break down and release micro plastics into various ecosystems.

💡Varieties of micro plastics

The video script outlines five different varieties of micro plastics: fibers, fragments, film, foam, and microbeads. Each variety has distinct sources and characteristics. For example, fibers are commonly shed from clothing, while microbeads are synthetically manufactured micro plastics used in cosmetics and healthcare products. Understanding these varieties is crucial for grasping the scope of the micro plastic problem and the sources from which they originate.

💡Bioaccumulation

Bioaccumulation is the process by which substances, such as micro plastics, accumulate in an organism's tissues over time. The video mentions that micro plastics are consumed by smaller animals like zoo plankton, which are then eaten by larger animals, leading to the accumulation of these particles in the food chain, including potentially in humans. This concept is central to understanding the potential health risks associated with micro plastics.

💡Nano plastics

Nano plastics are a subtype of micro plastics, characterized by their extremely small size, approximately 400 thousandths of an inch, which allows them to pass through the bloodstream and reach various organs. The video emphasizes the potential health risks of nano plastics, as they can penetrate deeper into the body's tissues and organs than larger micro plastics, and have been found in human organs including the testicles, liver, and lungs.

💡Health risks

The video discusses the potential health risks associated with the presence of micro and nano plastics in the human body. It cites research suggesting a link between the amount of plastic content in blood vessels and an increased risk of heart attack. The video also mentions that every organ in the body could be affected by the concentrations of micro plastics currently observed, indicating a broad and potentially serious impact on human health.

💡Incineration

Incineration is proposed in the video as a potential solution for reducing the amount of plastics that degrade into micro plastics. It involves burning waste plastics in a controlled environment to reduce their volume and render them harmless. The video suggests that more aggressive construction and implementation of waste-to-energy treatment plants could help mitigate the problem of micro plastics by addressing the root cause of plastic waste.

💡Waste management

Waste management is a critical theme in the video, focusing on the need for better strategies to handle plastic waste and prevent it from breaking down into micro plastics. The discussion includes the United Nations' goal to eliminate plastic usage by 2040, but also acknowledges the challenge of the billions of tons of plastic already in the environment and the ongoing process of degradation into micro plastics.

💡Dietary intake

The video highlights dietary intake as a significant pathway for micro plastics to enter the human body, particularly through the consumption of fats and meats. It suggests that reducing the consumption of these food groups could help lower the amount of micro plastics ingested. This advice is based on the understanding that micro plastics are prevalent in the food chain and can accumulate in animal tissues.

💡Plastic reduction

Plastic reduction is a key message in the video, advocating for societal and individual actions to decrease plastic usage and mitigate the formation of micro plastics. This includes not only reducing plastic consumption but also considering alternative materials and more sustainable practices to minimize the environmental impact of plastics.

Highlights

Micro plastics are pervasive, affecting both the environment and human health.

Humans produce approximately 430 million tons of plastic waste annually, according to the United Nations.

A significant portion of plastic waste degrades into micro plastics.

Micro plastics form through processes like physical abrasion and weathering.

There are five varieties of micro plastics: fibers, fragments, film, foam, and microbeads.

Micro plastics have been found in the deepest oceanic trenches and at the top of Mount Everest.

Japanese researchers estimate 24.4 trillion micro plastics in the upper oceans alone.

Micro plastics are ingested by smaller animals and eventually consumed by humans.

People ingest or inhale up to 114,000 micro plastic particles per year.

Micro and nano plastics pose health risks, with potential links to heart attacks.

Plastic particles have been found in various human organs, including the testicles, liver, and lungs.

Nano plastics, being extremely small, can pass through the bloodstream and reach almost every organ.

Matthew Kempen discusses the harmful effects of micro and nano plastics on human health.

Incineration of plastics and waste energy treatment plants are suggested as solutions.

Reducing the amount of fats and meats in one's diet can help reduce micro plastic intake.

Individuals are advised to be cautious of non-scientifically sound advice regarding plastic use.