Climate change is certainly something that keeps me awake at night. There's plenty of climate science content to doom scroll on. But its not the only thing I'm worried about. Lately, another insidious threat is increasingly haunting my thoughts: microplastic pollution. The more I research it, the more concerned I am. Microplastics are not just an environmental issue; they're a looming toxic pollution and health crisis. They are something that potentially threaten the very fabric of life on Earth.
An Invisible Menace Everywhere
Microplastics are fragments of plastic less than 5 millimetres in size. They originate from the breakdown of larger plastic debris, but also from the wear of car tyres and washing of polyester clothing. These tiny particles are now ubiquitous. They've been discovered in the deepest ocean trenches, Arctic and Antarctic ice, lakes, tap water, soils and even in the air we breathe. Recent studies have detected microplastics in human foetuses, in our brains, hearts, testes, ovaries and bloodstreams. This should be raising an alarm about long-term health implications.
While research is still unfolding, early findings are deeply troubling. Microplastics contain toxic chemicals and pathogens. Once inside the human body, they cause inflammation, disrupt endocrine functions, and cross cell barriers to accumulate in organs. The full extent of their health risks is still unknown, but the potential consequences are severe enough to warrant immediate attention. There is growing evidence that microplastics contribute to conditions such as cancer, infertility, DNA disruption, mental health disorders and immune system dysfunction.
Environmental impacts are equally dire. Microplastics absorb and concentrate other pollutants, making them even more hazardous when ingested by marine wildlife. And the contamination doesn't stop at the ocean; soil health is affected too, impacting agriculture and food security.
One of the most unsettling discoveries is that microplastics are now airborne. Tiny plastic fibres and particles are being carried by the wind, depositing in remote areas and urban centres alike. And, of course, our lungs. This means that no place on Earth is untouched by plastic pollution - not even the air we consider fresh and clean.
Taking Action: What Can Be Done
We are at a critical juncture. Microplastic polution is already an insidious and serious problem. Plastic production is set to double over the next two decades. And if we don't act now, the pollution will escalate beyond control. Microplastics are already entering our bodies and ecosystems at an alarming rate. Delay will only magnify the risks and make solutions more difficult to implement.
So what can we do? Well there's quite a lot. Here are a few places to start:
Aviod and Reduce Personal Plastic Use and Exposure: Opt for reusable items over single-use plastics. Every plastic bag or bottle avoided is a step in the right direction. Avoid polyester clothing which leaches microplastics when washed.
Demand Policy Change: Advocate for local, state and federal government actions to limit plastic production and encourage sustainable alternatives. Demand the federal government to support the proposed new Global Plastics Treaty.
Demand Better Waste Management: Proper disposal and recycling can prevent plastics from breaking down into microplastics.
Educate and Raise Awareness: Be alert to greenwashing. Share information about the dangers of microplastics and encourage broader societal change.
Microplastics are an urgent and insidious threat requiring immediate action. By making conscious choices and demanding better from our leaders now, we can tackle their threat.
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