Sofia Martinez
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles smaller than five millimetres in size. They are found everywhere, from the air we breathe to the food we eat and the water we drink. They come from the degradation of larger plastic items, such as water bottles, toys, plastic bags, bottles, fishing nets, tyres, synthetic textiles, and personal care products. Synthetic textiles are the single greatest contributor to engineered microplastics in the ocean, accounting for 35% of the total volume. The laundering of synthetic clothes is responsible for 35% of primary microplastics, while tyre abrasion accounts for 28%. Microplastics have been found in human lungs and bloodstreams, and while the health consequences are not yet fully understood, they are known to cause respiratory irritation and may lead to more serious cardiovascular problems.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Size | Smaller than 5 millimeters (about the width of a pencil's eraser) |
| Smaller size | Easier to fit into small spaces, including across cell membranes and into sensitive places like gills and lungs |
| Nanoplastics | Smaller than 1 micrometer, or 1,000 times smaller than a millimeter |
| Weight | Trillions of pieces of microplastics, weighing billions of pounds, floating at the surface of the world's oceans |
| Sources | Degradation of larger plastic objects, such as plastic bags, bottles or fishing nets; laundering of synthetic clothes; abrasion of tyres through driving; personal care products; marine coatings; engineered plastic pellets; city dust; road markings; landfills; residential households and personal items; construction projects; factories; agriculture |
| Percentage of microplastics in the ocean from synthetic textiles | 35% |
| Percentage of microplastics in the ocean from abrasion of tyres | 28% |
| Percentage of microplastics in the ocean from personal care products | 2% |
| Percentage of microplastics in the ocean from city dust | 24% |
| Impact on human body | Found in human lungs, bloodstreams, and placentas; may cause respiratory irritation leading to cardiovascular problems; may disrupt reproductive systems, stunt growth, diminish appetite, and cause tissue inflammation and liver damage |
| Impact on marine animals | Can clog the digestive systems of marine animals, causing them to starve to death |
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Synthetic textiles
Scientific research has shown that microplastics can enter our brains via inhalation through the nose. This is particularly alarming as the particles found in the study were relatively large (10 microns), meaning that smaller nanoplastics will enter our brains in much higher quantities. Microplastics have also been found in lung tissue, and in almost everything we eat and drink, including fish, seafood, chicken, tap water, bottled water, salt, and beer. They have entered our food chain and are ingested by organisms, causing physical damage to their organs, impairing immune system function, and harming their growth and reproduction.
Washing synthetic textiles has been assessed as the main source of primary microplastics in the oceans. Wash trials have been conducted to gain reliable data about the release of microplastics during the washing process and to identify possible influences of textile characteristics on the release. Results showed that microfibre release during washing ranged from 124 to 308 mg for kg of washed fabric, depending on the type of garment. The use of a washing load and washing program compatible with domestic conditions helped to simulate real-world conditions.
The greatest amounts of microplastics released were from a blend of polyester/cotton/modal, in contrast with the low quantities recorded for other cotton/polyester blend shirts. Fabrics with a loose structure shed more fibres, and high-twist yarn reduces shedding. Polyester, polyamide, and acetate fabrics were found to release the most microfibres in a pulsing washing machine, compared to a roller washing machine.
To reduce microplastic pollution from synthetic textiles, consumers can choose to buy natural fibres such as wool, alpaca, cotton, and hemp, and avoid synthetic fibres. Natural fibres require less washing and can address key issues including biodiversity enhancement, climate stability, and right livelihoods.
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City dust
Artificial turf is a major source of city dust, with the polymeric infill beneath the grass breaking down into microfibres over time. This infill is often made from plastic, which can break down into microplastics through weathering and abrasion. Additionally, the grass fibres themselves can wear down into microfibres, although this is a less common source of microplastics from artificial turf.
Vehicle tyre abrasion is another significant source of city dust. As tyres are made with synthetic styrene-butrene rubber, they can erode into tiny rubber and plastic particles through heat, friction, and wear and tear. These particles become tyre dust, which is then spread by wind and washed off roads by rain, dispersing into the air, soil, and water. The expected increase in electric vehicles (EVs) on the road may further contribute to microplastic emissions from tyre wear, as EVs typically weigh more than traditional vehicles due to their batteries.
Other sources of city dust include the abrasion of synthetic materials like footwear soles and cooking utensils, as well as particles from blasting abrasives, weathering of plastic materials, and the use of detergents. Renovation, building, and road reconstruction projects can also generate airborne microplastic dust, especially when using power tools and materials containing polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycarbonate, polypropylene, and acrylic.
The presence of microplastics in city dust has raised concerns about its impact on human health and the environment. High concentrations of airborne microplastics have been found in residential areas, and indoor deposition rates can reach thousands of fibres per day/m3, increasing exposure to vulnerable populations like children and the elderly. The World Health Organization (WHO) has linked fine dust pollution, which includes microplastics, to over four million premature deaths worldwide annually, including respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, and cancer.
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Tyres
Car tyres are a significant source of microplastics in the environment. Tyre wear and tear during normal driving causes tyres to release plastic particles, which can accumulate in soil, rivers, lakes, and even food. Tyre particles are distinct from conventional microplastics as they break down into unique chemical compounds and present different toxicological challenges.
The environmental impact of tyre microplastics is a growing concern. Researchers estimate that tyre wear particles contribute up to 78% of primary microplastics entering the ocean annually, based on 2016 data. Tyre particles in the environment can have harmful effects on aquatic ecosystems and human health. For example, the chemical additive 6PPD, which protects tyres from cracking, can transform into 6PPD-quinone when exposed to air and water, a compound linked to mass fish die-offs in the US.
The issue of tyre microplastics is particularly prominent in cities, where the high density of vehicles can result in a four-fold greater risk to the environment compared to other microplastics. Additionally, the increasing popularity of electric vehicles, which tend to have heavier batteries, contributes to faster tyre wear and the generation of more microplastic particles.
While the exact mechanisms and factors influencing the release of tyre microplastics are still being studied, there is a growing consensus that urgent action is needed to mitigate their environmental and health impacts. Some researchers are calling for tyre particles to be classified as a distinct pollution category, which could help inform targeted mitigation strategies.
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Marine coatings
Commercial shipping operations, including recreational and commercial fishing, marine vessels, and marine industries, are a notable source of marine plastic pollution. The paints applied to commercial ships, for example, have been identified as a source of microplastics. This is because polymers are used as binding agents in all anticorrosive and antifouling marine coatings. Antifouling coatings are essential in minimizing the transfer of non-indigenous species, reducing the need for underwater cleaning, and decreasing ship drag and fuel consumption. However, the use of polymers in these coatings can potentially release microplastics into the ocean.
The weathering and spills that occur during the application, maintenance, and disposal of marine coatings contribute to the release of microplastics. For instance, cruise ships' grey water, which includes discharges from galleys, sinks, showers, and laundries, can contain 2,000 to 50,000 microplastic particles per litre. Marine coatings account for 4% of primary microplastics in the ocean, while city dust, which includes the abrasion of harbour and marina building coatings, accounts for 24%.
The presence of microplastics in marine ecosystems poses risks to marine life and humans. Marine organisms at the base of the food chain, such as plankton and fish larvae, consume microplastics, and these particles are ingested by filter-feeding animals that humans eat, such as oysters and scallops. Microplastics may contain toxic chemicals like phthalates and bisphenol A, which are used in the manufacturing process. Scientists are studying the potential health risks of microplastics to both marine life and humans by determining the most toxic types and the ingestion levels in marine animals.
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Personal care products
Microplastics are small synthetic polymers that are found in a variety of manufactured products, including personal care products. These tiny plastic particles, measuring less than 5mm in size, have become a significant environmental concern due to their potential impact on the social economy, ecological environment, and human health.
The use of microbeads in personal care products is not a recent phenomenon. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, plastic microbeads have been present in personal care products for about fifty years, with plastics increasingly replacing natural ingredients. However, the issue of microplastics in personal care products has gained attention in recent years, with growing public awareness of the environmental and health impacts of plastic pollution.
To address this concern, some countries have taken legislative action to ban plastic microbeads in personal care products. For example, in 2015, the United States passed the Microbead-Free Waters Act, prohibiting the use of plastic microbeads in cosmetics and personal care items. Despite these efforts, microplastics continue to be prevalent in personal care products, contributing to environmental contamination and raising questions about the safety of these items for human use.
It is important to note that not all personal care products contain microplastics, and there is a growing trend towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives. However, due to the persistent presence of plastic in various aspects of daily life, it can be challenging to completely avoid exposure to microplastics.
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Frequently asked questions
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that are smaller than 5mm in size. They come from the breakdown of larger plastic items, known as "macroplastics", due to exposure to elements like temperature and UV rays.
Some specific sources of microplastics include the laundering of synthetic clothes, abrasion of tyres, and the use of personal care products containing microbeads, such as facial scrubs.
Tyres are made with synthetic rubber, a type of plastic polymer. When tyres come into contact with the road, they erode due to heat and friction, releasing microplastic particles. These particles are then spread by wind and rain, eventually reaching tributaries, lakes, and oceans.
Yes, microplastics can also be directly released into the environment as small particles. For example, plastic pellets called "nurdles" can degrade into microplastics and contribute to pollution in waterways.
Microplastics have been found in the air, oceans, and even in human lungs and bloodstreams. They pose risks to public health and the environment, with potential impacts on marine life and human respiratory and cardiovascular systems. There is increasing pressure on industries and governments to prevent microplastic pollution.
