Tiny pieces of plastic are becoming an increasing problem. Known as microplastics, they come from clothing, kitchen utensils, personal care products and countless other everyday items. Their durability makes them persistent in the environment, including in human bodies. Science Alert writes about this, UNN reports.
Details
Not only are many people on Earth already "infected" with microplastics, we are still exposed to it every day. A significant portion of microplastics is "consumed" by us from drinking water, as treatment plants cannot cope with getting rid of it.
Approximately 9 billion metric tons of plastic have been produced worldwide since the beginning of plastic production, much of which has gradually broken down into ever smaller fragments without true destruction, forming fine plastic dust. These small particles are now widespread in soil and water around the world.
Although most treatment plants significantly reduce the amount of microplastics, complete removal using modern technologies remains unattainable. As a result, many microplastics re-enter the environment, likely transporting other residual harmful pollutants in wastewater.
According to him, people can be exposed to them through simple activities such as drinking water, washing or watering plants, which can lead to long-term serious consequences for human health, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer.
A significant problem is the lack of a universal definition of what is considered microplastics, as well as the lack of standardized methods for measuring its presence in water.
One way to better address the growing problem of microplastics is to develop standardized testing methods
Researchers also emphasize the importance of public awareness. Consumers can already contribute to solving the problem by choosing clothes and textiles with a low plastic content, as microfibers are one of the most common forms of microplastics.
Let us remind
Microplastics can confuse bees and other insects, harming plant pollination. According to scientists, small plastic particles can make bees more vulnerable to bacteria and viruses.