A.
Microplastics are small plastic pieces that measure smaller than 5 millimeters across. Micro plastics are formed by the decomposition of large plastic pieces that have been broken throughout the years. This type of breakdown is caused by exposure to environmental factors, primarily from the suns radiation. Microplastics come from many different types of resources throughout the world some examples include synthetic objects, city dust, tires, marine life, cosmetics and engineered plastic pellets. Synthetic textiles are one of the primary sources of microplastics are contribute to 35 percent of the total volume. Microplastics are formed by two different types of microplastics which are known as primary microplastics and secondary microplastics. The difference in between the two is that primary microplastics are made for commercial purposes as secondary microplastics are formed form the break down of larger plastic pieces. Primary microplastics contain three main categories which are nurdles, microbeads and fibers. Nurdles are small pellets that are put together and melt to mold and make larger plastic shapes. Microbeads are used in cosmetic products primarily face wash. Fibers are included in the material that is used in the making of clothing material now days these are known as nylon and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The secondary microplastics that are formed are break the break down of the larger original plastic pieces. Microplastics are either made from the ocean or the land. Roughly around 70-80 percent of the ocean plastic have land based sources, while only 20- 30 percent of plastics come from marine sources. Microplastics are found all throughout the earth and are used in almost each every day products that we as humans use. Water bottles are well known to contain microplastics as well as tea bags.
B. Microplastics are a concern to human health because of their widespread presence in the oceans and the physical and toxicological rise that are involved to organisms. Microplastics are consumed by mammals throughout the environments. Microplastics remain an issue because of the effects in can cause to our natural environment. We as a society need to work on disposing microplastics correctly and resourcefully. After researching micro plastics a main concern to me is learning that they are indigestible and non- biodegradable and once produced, we can not get rid of them. Many microplastics usually end up in our habitat and are slowly ruining our environment. The majority of microplastics end up in rivers, lakes and our beautiful oceans. Larger plastics in the ocean are consumed by marine animals and can be very deadly. Microplastics in marine life block the digestive system of animals and causes low loves of oxygen which therefore most mammals can die. Humans on the other hand can experience stress, cytotoxicity, neurotoxicity and immune system disruptions. Additional adverse effects of microplastics are acute to children still in the womb and younger children, this is because of the increased risks of prematurity, stillbirth and birth defects of the reproductive organs. Human remain exposed to a large variety of microplastics through breathing, ingestion and direct skin contact. Micro plastics remain a threat not only to environmental matter, but also to our human health.
I included a collage of my daily plastic use throughout the day. I learned that microplastics are built in to many of our daily objects as humans. The number of consumer products is significantly high and are majority of cosmetic products, detergents, medicines and cleaning products. The collage that is attached are only some of the daily products I use throughout the week, but it helps me grasp a better understanding and helps me realize that microplastics are everywhere.
References
Microplastics (no date) Education. Available at: https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/microplastics/ (Accessed: April 4, 2023).
Where do microplastics come from? (no date) HORIBA. Available at: https://www.horiba.com/ind/scientific/resources/science-in-action/where-do-microplastics-come-from/#:~:text=Microplastics%20come%20from%20synthetic%20textiles,of%20the%20ocean's%20primary%20microplastics. (Accessed: April 4, 2023).
André Gonçalves - Editor & Head Of English Market After studying and working in HR et al. (2020) Microplastics: Definition, where they come from and effects on humans, Youmatter. Available at: https://youmatter.world/en/microplastics-types-effects-humans-nature/ (Accessed: April 4, 2023).
Kiprop, V. (2018) What are microplastics and why are they bad?, WorldAtlas. WorldAtlas. Available at: https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-are-microplastics-and-why-are-they-bad.html#:~:text=Large%20plastics%20cause%20physical%20damage,result%20in%20reduced%20energy%20levels. (Accessed: April 4, 2023).
Ben Adler | Yahoo News | 24 February 2023 (no date) Plastics and human health: Plastics and the Environment Series, Geneva Environment Network. Available at: https://www.genevaenvironmentnetwork.org/resources/updates/plastics-and-health/ (Accessed: April 4, 2023).
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