Microplastics – Threat to the environment and our health

The impact of microplastics on the environment and human health is both alarming and complex. This is affecting marine life and potentially our own well-being.

What exactly is microplastic?

Microplastics are, first and foremost, environmental pollutants . It is understood as ‘small plastic pieces less than five millimetres’. But they exist found as small as 5,000 µm. To visualise, 5mm is the size of an average red ant and 5,000 µm is the thickness of a piece of paper. Plastic is the most common material in marine debris. This is not just in very small sizes, but also in the shapes of plastic or bigger items. This however does not fall under microplastics. 

This is not a new phenomenon. Personal care products started containing microplastics roughly 50 years ago as they replaced natural products. Today, microplastics is in plants, sediment and soil but also in animals, the sea and air. This abundance of it has as a consequence, that it will inevitably end up in the food chain.

Another aspect that is important to note, is that microplastic: once they are in the environment, they persist there for a long time.

How does microplastics enter the environment

The source of microplastics is diverse. Larger plastic pieces that get washed into the water can degrade into ever smaller pieces. This can be due to ageing and the influence of the environment, ending up as microplastics. Another way microplastic can get into the environment, are microplastic in everyday products. For example in health or beauty products, like toothpastes or cleansers, which contain manufactured polyethylene plastic. These micro-beads pass right through the filtration of the water that we flush. Then they flow down the drain after washing our face or brushing our teeth and ultimately end up in the oceans and or lakes.

But it is not only plastic that swims in the water that breaks down that results in microplastic. Tyre wear can get flushed into the sewage systems or waste water from washing machines. This can then introduce microplastics in the aquatic environment. Once pastic has broken down to the level of microplastic, it is almost impossible to recover. This shows how important it is, to take be careful with consumption.

If you want to read more on this, read our blog post on the World Clean Up Day!

Effects of microplastics on the environment

Most studies looking at the effect of microplastic on the environment have looked at the marine environment. Here it becomes clear that many marine animals are bothered by larger plastic pieces. They get stuck in them, or are strangled.

It has been shown, that once an animal absorbed microplastic, the particles distribute through various organs like their liver, kidneys their reproductive organs and even their brain through the bloodstream. Additionally, it has been shown that microplastics function as transportation for organic pollutants and heavy metals. These can subsequently interfere with certain biological processes like the immune system, reproduction or development.

From the oceans to our plates

It has been proven, that animals, like fish mussels and shrimps, can confuse microplastic particles for plankton. This is what they then eat, thinking that it is food for them. However, the microplastics in these animals was only found in their intestines. When they are served to humans to consume, the intestines are usually removed from the food, therefores it is likely only a very small percentage of microplastic gets consumed in this way. This finding has been corroberated by a 2023 study on the health effects of microplastic exposure. Still there are other foods that miscroplastic was found in, one of which is salt.

Overall, the precise health risk microplastic poses for humans has not been fully studied. When looking at the occurance of miscroplastic in salt found in austrian supermarkets, a study by the Österreichische Argentur für Gesundheit und Ernährungssicherheit (Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety) it was found, that in 19 out 0f 20 samlpes that were analysed there was microplasstic found.

What we can do

But what can we do? There is only so much we can control, but here are a few things how we can contribute:

• Use materials that is reusable (in place of disposable), ideally made out of glass, or bags that are made out of natural fibres
• Dispose of plastic products correctly if you throw them away. This usually means to bring it to recycling collection points or recycle them at home
• Get clothes made out of natural materials
• Check if your toothpaste, cosmetics and detergents contain microplastics.

Conclusion

With misroplastic being ever present, in all ecosystems and in many organisms, the devastating effects on the environment only begin to become clear. No easy or definite solution has been found until now for microplastics impact on the environment and the human health. Microplastics are a pervasive environmental issue, stemming from the breakdown of larger plastic items and the use of micro-beads in personal care products. Once released into the environment, these tiny particles persist for a long time, infiltrating marine ecosystems, soil, and even the food we consume.

The effects on wildlife are well-documented, particularly in marine species, but the full impact on human health remains an area of ongoing study. While tackling the problem on a global scale is complex, individuals can make a difference by reducing plastic consumption, choosing reusable materials, and being mindful of the products they use. Together, these small actions can contribute to mitigating the spread of microplastics and protecting our environment.