The Plastic Consumption Problem: Why We Can't Stop

Plastic is everywhere, and it's impossible to avoid. We use it to make thousands of single-use items, from grocery bags to food packaging. Not only are we using plastic, but we are also ingesting it. Research has found that the average person consumes thousands of plastic particles every year, with some studies estimating that this could be as high as 5 grams of plastic per week, or the equivalent of 12 plastic bags per year. These plastic particles, known as microplastics, are found in our food, water, and even the air we breathe. They come from a variety of sources, including plastic packaging, textiles, and electronic products. While the health effects of ingesting microplastics are still being studied, there are concerns about their potential impact on human health, especially given that they can accumulate toxic chemicals.

Plastic in our food and water

Plastic is present in our food and water in the form of microplastics, which are tiny particles of plastic that have broken down over time. These microplastics can be found in lakes, rivers, and oceans, and can contaminate our food and water supplies. Research suggests that people in the United States ingest at least 74,000 microplastic particles annually, or about 5 grams of plastic per week, through their eating, drinking, and breathing.

Microplastics can be found in a variety of food and beverage sources. Bottled water is a well-known source of micro and nanoplastics, with plastic particles being released into the water through simple actions such as unscrewing the plastic cap. Microplastics have also been found in tap water, with more than 80% of samples from cities on five continents contaminated with plastic microfibers. These microfibers can come from textiles like nylon and polyester, which shed during washing and enter the ecosystem through wastewater.

Microplastics are also prevalent in seafood, with a Portland State University study finding microplastics in 180 out of 182 tested seafood samples. These particles can accumulate in the flesh of fish and shellfish, which are then consumed by humans. Additionally, microplastics have been found in commonly used food items such as salt and sugar, with 90% of sampled salt brands worldwide containing microplastics due to environmental contamination and the production and packaging process.

The presence of microplastics in our food and water has raised concerns about potential health risks. While research is still ongoing, studies suggest that microplastics can cross the protective membrane of the brain and enter the bloodstream. In animals, it has been demonstrated that the smallest particles can pass through the intestinal wall, enter tissues and the bloodstream, and cause inflammatory reactions. The accumulation of microplastics in the body over time may have toxic effects, but more research is needed to fully understand the impact on human health.

To reduce exposure to microplastics, individuals can make some lifestyle changes. Drinking tap water instead of bottled water and reducing the use of plastic kitchen utensils and food storage containers can help minimize ingestion of microplastics. Additionally, washing rice with filtered water can reduce plastic contamination, and buying salt and sugar packaged in glass or cardboard can lower exposure to microplastics in these products. Installing a filter in the washing machine can also help capture microfibers before they enter the water systems.

Plastic in household dust

Plastic is everywhere, from the air we breathe to the water we drink and the food we eat. It is no surprise, then, that it is also found in household dust.

Household dust can expose people to chemicals such as phthalates, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, and flame retardants. These chemicals can have harmful health effects, including various cancers, a weakened immune system, and reproductive problems. Microplastics, which are tiny particles of plastic that have broken down over time, are a significant contributor to household dust. They can come from a variety of sources, including clothing, furniture, and food packaging.

A study published in 2018 in the journal Environmental Pollution found that people were more likely to ingest plastic through dust in their environment than by eating shellfish. Another study from King's College London in 2017 hypothesized that the cumulative effect of ingesting plastic could be toxic over time.

To reduce exposure to microplastics in household dust, it is recommended to vacuum regularly and minimize the use of plastic in the home. This includes opting for natural fibres for clothing and furniture when possible and avoiding heating food in plastic containers or consuming hot liquids that have come into contact with plastic.

While the full extent of the harm caused by microplastics is not yet known, reducing exposure to them is generally considered beneficial for overall health.

Plastic in the air

Plastic is everywhere, from the ocean floor to the air we breathe. It has been found in soils, water, crops, and even in human lungs. Microplastics, small pieces of plastic less than five millimeters long, are particularly prevalent in the air. These are created when larger pieces of plastic break down over time through chemical and physical weathering, often as a result of human activity.

Primary microplastics are those that are directly released into the environment during the production, transport, or use of plastic products. Secondary microplastics, on the other hand, result from the mechanical, chemical, and physical fragmentation of larger plastics, including those disposed of in the environment decades ago. Both primary and secondary microplastics are released into the air at every stage of the plastic life cycle.

Once in the air, microplastics can be carried by wind currents to even the most remote parts of the Earth. They have been detected in human lungs, and the average person is estimated to inhale up to 16.2 bits of plastic every hour, or the equivalent of a credit card's worth of plastic per week. Microplastics have also been found to seed clouds, alter their composition, and affect the Earth's radiation balance and climate.

The health impacts of inhaling microplastics are not yet fully understood. However, studies have shown that microplastics can cross the protective membrane surrounding the brain, and they have been linked to various cancers, a weakened immune system, reproductive issues, nervous system problems, and hearing loss. The impact of inhaling microplastics is likely to be influenced by the hundreds of different chemical additives present in plastics, some of which are known to be toxic.

To reduce the amount of plastic in the air, individuals can make lifestyle changes such as drinking tap water instead of bottled water and opting for products packaged in glass rather than plastic. However, systemic efforts and mandatory regulations are needed to address the full issue, including reducing plastic production and finding sustainable alternatives.

Plastic in the ocean

The majority of plastic pollution in the ocean is caused by littering. Disposable plastic items such as food wrappings, plastic bags, razors, and bottles are not disposed of properly and end up in waterways and, eventually, the ocean. About 20% of the ocean's plastic pollution comes from industrial fishing, and a further 80% of all marine pollution is made up of plastic waste. Plastic waste in the ocean has a devastating impact on marine life and ecosystems, causing damage to animals through entanglement, ingestion, and more. It also affects humans, with microplastics found in our food and water.

The problem of plastic in the ocean is not limited to the ocean itself but also includes coastal areas. About 80% of floating plastic will beach on a coastline within a month of leaking into the ocean. This has serious consequences for the coastal environment, the fishing and tourism industries, and the communities that must bear the high cleanup costs.

Plastic pollution in the ocean is a complex issue that requires a multi-faceted approach to address it effectively. It is essential to reduce plastic use, reuse and recycle plastic items, and dispose of waste properly. Individuals can make lifestyle changes, such as drinking tap water instead of bottled water, to reduce their plastic consumption. However, large-scale solutions are also needed, including improving waste management systems, especially in middle-income countries where plastic usage is growing.

Plastic in the ecosystem

Plastic is a major environmental pollutant, with plastic waste present in every corner of the globe, from Mount Everest to the Mariana Trench. Plastic pollution is most visible in developing Asian and African nations, where garbage collection systems are often inefficient or non-existent. However, the developed world, especially countries with low recycling rates, also struggles to properly collect discarded plastics.

Plastic pollution has a negative impact on terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems. Plastics enter ecosystems through the improper disposal of plastic waste, which contaminates the environment. This includes dumping plastic waste into seas, rivers, and oceans, as well as through the breakdown of plastics into microplastics, which can be spread by wind and water currents. Microplastics have been found in water, air, and common foods, and are ingested by humans and animals. The impact of microplastics on ecosystems can be compared to the butterfly effect in chaos theory, where small changes can have non-linear impacts on complex systems.

Plastics often contain additives that make them stronger, more flexible, and durable, which can extend the life of products if they become litter, with some estimates of plastic waste taking at least 400 years to break down. This has serious ecological consequences, as plastic pollution can alter habitats and natural processes, reducing ecosystems' ability to adapt to climate change and directly affecting millions of people's livelihoods, food production capabilities, and social well-being.

Plankton, key indicators of healthy aquatic ecosystems, are being adversely affected by microplastics, and the planet's carbon sinks are in danger. Bioaccumulation, the toxic build-up of chemicals as they move up the food chain, is also a concern, as microplastics can accumulate harmful chemicals such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which have been linked to various cancers, a weakened immune system, and reproductive problems.

While the long-term effects of microplastics on human health are still being studied, it is clear that plastic pollution has far-reaching consequences for ecosystems and human well-being.

Frequently asked questions