One is a symptom of the other
Extensive research is underway to determine what the long-term effects of these microplastics in the body will be, given their slow degrading nature.
A newly released study has found that bottled water contains hundreds of thousands of "nanoplastics." These tiny fragments are just 100 nanometers (or less) in size.
In an analysis from 2022, it was found that the sewerage sludge used to fertilize crops has contaminated almost 20 million acres of US farmland.
Millions of tons of microplastics are produced by manufacturing companies, only to end up in bodies of water that circulate around the world.
While there are steps we can take as individuals to reduce our microplastic consumption, the population of microplastics makes consuming them unavoidable in one form or another.
A common chemical used in plastic, BPA is a known endocrine (hormone system) disruptor, and many companies now produce BPA-free plastic. But it's not the only one.
Many other chemicals present in plastics are endocrine disruptors, too, and carcinogenic. Chronic illnesses like heart disease and diabetes are linked to the release of these chemicals.
But our exposure to microplastics isn't limited to just the water we drink. They're also spread on farming land, to eventually end up in the food we eat.
Larger plastics found in bodies of water are degraded by the sun into small plastics that can end up in the drinking water supply.
In the US in recent years, there have been cutbacks on regulations and environmental protection policies. These will impact the future of microplastic consumption.
Microplastics are made of toxic, harmful compounds like plasticizers, stabilizers, fillers, and lubricants that don't degrade for decades.
Nanoplastics are ubiquitous in urban waters. They have distinct characteristics when compared to microplastics, and because of their size it's even more difficult to analyze them.
In daily life, our reliance on plastic packaging is astounding. Food packaging, in particular, is unnecessary: fruits and vegetables don't need to be covered in plastic packaging, but often are.
They warned, however, that particles measuring less than 10 micrometers are more than likely to be taken up biologically, and called for a reduction in plastic pollution.
The majority of plastic that's sent for recycling isn't recycled. Many of the plastic bottles and bags that are sent ultimately end up in a landfill.
On average, it's believed Americans consume around 126 particles of microplastics and inhale 132 particles of microplastics every day. While most of these will pass through the bowel and leave the body, others remain in small amounts and accumulate.
In 2019, the World Health Organization concluded there was not enough evidence to prove that consumption or inhalation of microplastics posed a risk.
The source of the microplastics found in the human body varies, but consumer products including plastic bottles, textile fibers (especially in polyester), and food packaging found in the ocean, air, seafood, and even salt are the most likely sources.
Another potential way that microplastics can be absorbed by the body is through clothing. Oftentimes more cheaply made clothes will contain higher levels of synthetic materials. This puts people at lower incomes at a higher risk of this type of contamination.
The researchers found that much of the consumption was coming from the water bottle itself, and it's unknown whether this poses a serious public health risk.
An average liter plastic bottle of water contains almost a quarter of a million nanoplastic fragments, according to researchers at Columbia and Rutgers in the US.
The "forever chemicals," aka PFA's (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), and microplastics found in the sludge have also been proven to contaminate European farmlands each year.
Glass is made from silica, which has a higher carbon footprint than drink cartons and aluminum cans. Although their recycling rate is higher, it's a complex issue—the production of glass can lead to land deterioration and a loss of biodiversity.
Biodegradable plastics can take a long time to disintegrate—years, in fact. Usually, they break down into smaller pieces, rather than component chemical parts. These kinds of products could be compounding the plastics problem.
Researchers have been looking towards bacteria and fungi that feed on plastic and can break down these materials. A kind of beetle larvae has been found to devour polystyrene. Chemical treatments and water filtration systems that can remove microplastics are also being examined.
Sources: (BBC Future) (The Science Survey) (National Geographic) (ScienceDirect)
See also: Go green: 30 tips to transform your workplace into an eco-friendly haven
Water bottles containing PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastics have become common, however, plastic particles are leached into the drink contained in them, which can end up in your blood.
In 2022, scientists discovered microparticles inside human lungs and blood for the first time. The discovery highlighted the urgency of the need to find alternatives to plastic.
In previous years, microplastics have been found in human organs including the spleen, kidney, and liver.
Microplastics break off from bigger pieces of plastic, ending up in food via the production and storage process. The more highly processed the food, the greater the amount of microplastics in them.
Whether we realize it or not, each bite we take could contain microplastics. Plastics seem to accumulate most in the roots of vegetables, so carrots, radishes, and turnips may contain higher amounts than, say, leafy green vegetables.
Microplastics are everywhere. They've been found in the most remote of places; in marine animals who live in the deepest ocean trenches, buried in sea ice in the Antarctic, and in drinking water all over the world. These fragments are spread through a number of different channels, and now they're being found inside the human body, too. As contamination becomes unavoidable, it's time to learn and fully understand the effects of this pollutant on both the environment and our physical health.
Click on the following gallery to discover the dirty truth about microplastic pollution.
The truth about microplastics
These tiny plastic fragments are everywhere
HEALTH Pollution
Microplastics are everywhere. They've been found in the most remote of places; in marine animals who live in the deepest ocean trenches, buried in sea ice in the Antarctic, and in drinking water all over the world. These fragments are spread through a number of different channels, and now they're being found inside the human body, too. As contamination becomes unavoidable, it's time to learn and fully understand the effects of this pollutant on both the environment and our physical health.
Click on the following gallery to discover the dirty truth about microplastic pollution.