What are microplastics?

 

Microplastics are any piece of plastic that is less than 5mm in diameter. That is roughly the length of a grain of rice.

 

Where do microplastics come from?

 

Primary microplastics are manufactured for use in industry, personal care products like face and body washes and cosmetics. Secondary microplastics degrade overtime from larger pieces of plastic (like discarded water bottles and plastic bags) after exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun and mechanical abrasion. Microplastic fibers are also shed from our clothes that are made with synthetic fibers like polyester, acrylic, and nylon.

 

Why are microplastics a problem?

 

The full extent of why microplastics pose a threat to organisms and the environment are unknown. However, they are ingested by marine life and can cause cell damage and a suite of additional non-lethal effects. Microplastics can also accumulate in the tissues of organisms and be passed to other organisms that consume them. (i.e. a big fish eats lots of little fish that have accumulated microplastics in their tissues and then gets a whole lot more microplastic in it’s body.) Microplastics have also been found in human tissues, and feces.

 

How to microplastics get into the environment?

 

Microplastics are frequently released into the environment through discharges from municipal wastewater treatment plants. Many microplastics are too small to be removed by the current filtration mechanisms and are released into waterways. Plastic waste from the fishing industry (nets, ropes, and buoys) is sometimes released directly into the oceans from boats. Other plastic debris in landfills will break down over time and can be carried by the wind into soil and waterways.