At Seaside Jewellery, Cornwall, we are passionate about protecting our beautiful coastlines and the precious marine life that inhabits them. As a Surfers Against Sewage Plastic Champion, we are committed to reducing and eliminating plastic from our business. Today, we explore the pressing issue of microplastic pollution, a growing concern for environmentalists and health experts alike.
This article will provide a complete overview of what microplastics are, their sources, and their potential effects on both the environment and human health.
Key Points: Microplastics
Quantity: It’s estimated that there are over 51 trillion microplastic particles in our oceans today, which is 500 times more than the number of stars in our galaxy.
Plastic Production Boom: Since the 1950s, plastic production has surged from 2 million tonnes annually to over 380 million tonnes, contributing significantly to microplastic pollution.
Human Consumption: Studies suggest that humans ingest approximately 50,000 microplastic particles annually through food and water.
Microplastics in the Deep Sea: Microplastics have been found in the deepest parts of the ocean, including the Mariana Trench, showing just how widespread this pollution is.
Impact on Sea Life: Around 700 marine species are known to be affected by microplastic pollution, often mistaking these tiny plastic particles for food.
What Are Microplastics?
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that measure less than five millimeters in size. They originate from bigger plastic debris that degrades over time and from microplastics added to products like cosmetics and cleaning agents.
Microplastics have been found in commercial seafood, drinking water, in plankton and whales, and scarily even in the human body: Microplastics found in human blood for first time | Plastics | The Guardian
Where Do Microplastics Come From?
Microplastics come from a variety of sources, including:
Primary Microplastics: These are tiny particles intentionally added to products such as plastic microbeads found in exfoliating scrubs, from synthetic fibers from washing machines, and plastic pellets used in plastic production.
Secondary Microplastics: Secondary plastics result from the breakdown of larger plastic pieces like plastic bags, plastic packaging, and single-use plastics due to environmental exposure and degradation. The chemical composition of these plastics makes them resistant to biodegradation, causing them to stay in the environment for a long time.
The Effects of Microplastics on the Environment and Marine Life
Microplastics have a significant impact on the marine environment and marine organisms. Marine biologists have found that these tiny plastic particles are ingested by sea life, causing physical harm and exposing them to toxic chemical additives. The ingestion of microplastic particles by marine organisms can lead to:
Physical blockages and injuries
Exposure to harmful chemicals from plastic waste
Disruption of feeding and reproductive patterns
Is Microplastics Pollution Harmful to Human Health?
Yes, microplastics can be harmful to humans. Here are some potential effects on health:
Exposure to Microplastics: Ingesting or inhaling microplastics can lead to the accumulation of plastic particles in the body, potentially causing inflammation and other health issues.
Chemical Additives: Microplastics can carry toxic chemicals that may leach into the human body, affecting organs and tissues.
Human Blood: Recent studies have found microplastic particles in blood, raising concerns about their long-term health effects.
What can we do about Plastic Pollution?
Addressing plastic pollution requires concerted efforts at multiple levels. Here are some steps to mitigate the impact of microplastics:
Reduce Plastic Waste: Minimizing the use of single-use plastics and promoting the use of recycled plastic materials.
Choose Alternatives to Synthetic Textiles: Select clothing and products made from natural fibers like cotton, wool, and hemp instead of synthetic materials that shed microplastics when washed.
Improved Waste Management: Enhancing the efficiency of wastewater treatment plants to capture microplastics.
Innovative Solutions: Developing natural polymers and other alternatives to traditional plastic materials.
Legislation: Implementing regulations to limit the production and use of intentionally added microplastics in consumer products, with the aim of reducing microplastics in the environment.
FAQs: Microplastic
What is the difference between primary and secondary microplastics?
Primary microplastics are tiny particles intentionally added to products, while secondary microplastics result from the breakdown of larger plastics in marine litter such as plastic containers.
What size are the tiny plastic particles in microplastic pollution?
Microplastic particles are defined as being less than 5mm in size, which is about the size of a sesame seed or smaller. These tiny particles can be as small as a few micrometers, comparable to the diameter of a human hair.
What are the health risks with microplastics in drinking water?
Ingesting microplastics through drinking water can pose potential health risks, including inflammation and exposure to toxic substances.
What are the sources of airborne particles in microplastic pollution?
Airborne particles in microplastic pollution originate from various sources, including the abrasion of synthetic textiles during washing, fragmentation of larger plastic debris, and the degradation of plastic materials in the environment. These particles can become airborne and be transported over long distances by wind, eventually settling in both terrestrial and marine environments, contributing to widespread plastic pollution.
What can I do to reduce microplastic pollution?
You can make an impact! You can reduce marine pollution by using fewer single-use plastics, purchasing recycled products, and advocating for stronger environmental pollution regulations.
By understanding and addressing the issue of microplastic pollution, we can work towards a cleaner, healthier marine environment and safeguard our own health from the adverse effects of these tiny plastic particles.
Top Tips to Address Plastic Pollution
Reduce the plastic that you use personally
Look for plastic free products and companies. Plastic Free Penzance, for example, aims to minimise the town’s contribution to the plastic crisis. They are proud to be the first community in the UK to be awarded SAS Plastic Free Communities Status, and many local businesses including Seaside Jewellery, Sennen Jewellery and Kernow Gold have committed to being plastic free.
Participate in a Beach Clean. Surfers against Sewage (SAS) organise cleans but look out for locally organised beach cleans too.
Never leave rubbish on a beach.
Support charities from home. For example Surfers Against Sewage is a marine conservation charity working with communities to protect oceans, waves, beaches and sea life. It was created in 1990 by a group of Cornish surfers from the villages of St Agnes and Porthtowan on the north coast of Cornwall.
Although microplastics are now in our coastal environment it is not too late to change our behaviour and stop this issue from becoming an even bigger one for future generations.
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