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

Summary

Micro 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.