Microplastics are everywhere
Microplastics are everywhere. What exactly are microplastics? Microplastics are often defined as plastic particles smaller than 5 millimeters. Some people focus on even smaller fragments, especially those under 1 millimeter, because they are harder to detect and study. Where are they? In the air, water, seafood, dust, and in many parts of the environment. They have also been detected in human samples such as blood, lungs, and other tissues in some studies. We drink them, breathe them, and eat them. If we wear polyester and other synthetic materials, they can also shed tiny plastic fibers that we may inhale. Can we get rid of them? Short answer: no. We can’t remove all microplastics that are already in the environment, but we can reduce how much new plastic pollution is created. Possible health issues from them? Studies (mostly in lab and animal research) suggest possible effects such as: Inflammation Oxidative stress Genotoxicity (DNA damage signals in lab studie...