Microplastics And/"In" You
Microplastics, microplastics everywhere.
Tiny pieces of plastic, often invisible to the naked eye, floating around in our oceans, rivers, and even the air we breathe. That's essentially what microplastics are – small plastic fragments, usually less than 5 millimeters in size, that come from the breakdown of larger plastic items or are purposely manufactured for specific uses. These little particles come in all shapes and colors, and they've managed to find their way into pretty much every corner of our environment. Studies surveying humans from every corner of the world found microplastics without fail in every subject.
Most microplastics are the result of larger plastic items breaking down over time due to weathering, abrasion, and other degradation processes. Every time you wash your favorite synthetic sweater or toss a plastic bag in the trash, you might be contributing to the microplastic problem.
Health implications and effects of microplastics.
As scientists continue to study microplastics, they're starting to uncover some pretty alarming potential health risks:
- Infertility: Studies have shown that microplastics can accumulate in reproductive organs, which could lead to infertility issues in both men and women. These tiny particles can mess with hormone production and interfere with the development of reproductive cells.
- Endocrine Disruption: A lot of plastics contain chemicals like BPA and phthalates, which are known to disrupt our hormonal systems. When microplastics break down, these chemicals can seep into our bodies and wreak havoc on our delicate hormonal balance.
- Inflammation and Oxidative Stress: If we ingest microplastics, they can cause inflammation and oxidative stress in our gut, potentially leading to nasty health problems like inflammatory bowel disease and even cancer.
- Accumulation in the Food Chain: It's not just humans who are affected by microplastics. These particles can be ingested by marine life and accumulate in their tissues and organs. As larger predators (including us) consume these organisms, the microplastics can work their way up the food chain, increasing the risk of adverse health effects.
Can we escape microplastics?
Yes! Microplastics are everywhere, but not all is lost. By understanding the ways that we commonly consume plastics, we can reduce our intake by filtering our water and air, storing our food safely, and using natural materials for clothing and products we come into contact with daily.
If you'd like learn more about the best, most effective ways to reduce microplastic consumption, refer to the Going Microplastic-Free Guide.