What are microplastics? And how do you reduce exposure to them?
- Mary Dignan
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
What are microplastics?
Microplastics are tiny plastic fragments, measuring less that 5mm across, Nano plastics are even smaller, invisible to the naked eye. Oligomers are smaller again, resulting from microplastics being broken down by being heated or exposed to UV light, making them more available to absorption and potentially toxic.
Microplastics are everywhere, scientists have shown. They are in remote polar regions; in the air; in our oceans; in our food and water supply. They have been found deep in our lungs, brain and blood stream. But what impact are they having?
There is strong evidence that microplastics cause significant environmental harm, interfering with the ability of small organisms and plants to store carbon - critical in mitigating climate change.
Between 60%-81% of microplastics found in the oceans come from the breakdown of larger plastic objects e.g. plastic bottles, bags and marine gear. The best way to reduce this is to use fewer plastic products in our everyday lives. ‘Less is More’ is the mantra.
The health impact of microplastics is an emerging field of research but there is enough evidence to conclude that microplastics are likely to do harm (Microplastics Research Group at the University of Portsmouth) and therefore avoiding them as much as possible seems a very sensible step to take. An associate Professor at the school of Public Health at Imperial College says there is enough uncertainty regarding microplastics that we should exercise caution in our exposure.
A global solution for the plastics crisis
The Plastics Crisis is now widely recognised as a major threat to human health, biodiversity, and the climate crisis. As a result, in 2022, 175 countries voted to adopt an international legally binding instrument to address the full life cycle of plastic, including its production, design and disposal. The UN Environment Programme has described the Global Plastics Treaty as the most important multilateral treaty since the Paris Agreement in 2015.
Sadly the Global Plastics Treaty has not yet been agreed globally but ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’ and people will fight on for this to become a reality.
Campaigners hope the global plastics treaty being discussed will curb pollution from one of the most dangerous materials on the planet. But plastic is a valuable resource which we are throwing away, we need a circular economy.
Raising local awareness of microplastics in your wardrobe
In June, Greening Tetbury had a Sustainable Fashion Show ‘Thrifted Threads’, a clothes swap and launched our Meet Make Mend workshops at the Goods Shed. This is our small effort to make people think about the consumption of clothing and how we can prolong the life through reusing, renting repurposing, repairing and recycling.
We typically don’t think of discarded clothes as plastic pollution. But between 60% and 70% of textiles are manufactured from synthetic fibres such as polyester. This becomes a problem when it ends up in unmanaged landfills in places including Ghana and Kenya. These countries accept second hand and deadstock clothing traded by the EU and UK. But an investigation by the Changing Markets Foundation revealed that in Kenya, up to half of these garments are discarded, often because they are too damaged to wear.
Reduce your exposure to microplastics (and prevent them getting into the environment)
Avoid heating plastic, (for example when you are reheating in the microwave, transfer food to glass or ceramics) because it causes microplastics and additives to leach into food and drink.
Don’t allow your plastic water bottle to get overheated, for instance, in the car.
Avoid buying water in plastic bottles, use tap water.
Use wooden chopping boards (reduce the microplastics from chopping food on plastic boards).
Avoid aluminium and the PFOA/PFAS in non stick coatings. Use ceramic non-stick, stainless and cast iron.
Use loose tea (there is plastic in tea bags).
Buy organic natural fibres.
Use a filter for microplastics in laundry, @matter.industries have developed a filter for washing machines which will filter microplastics from laundry. They are upscaling to an industrial level at present to address the problem in textile manufacturing as well as mass laundering. (Runner up in the Earthshot prize)
Use a Guppy bag for synthetics, it catches the microplastics by putting your synthetic clothing in the bag when washing. This can be purchased at ‘Loose’ in Stroud or ‘Shiny Sunshine’ in Nailsworth.
Comments