๐งช What Are Microplastics?
Microplastics refer to tiny plastic fragments less than 5mm in size. Even smaller particles, known as nanoplastics, measure under 100nm, which is one-millionth of a millimeter. Shockingly, plastics can take up to 500 years to decompose in nature, posing a long-term threat to the environment.
๐งซ Microplastics Are Everywhere
- โ The Truth About Paper Cups
Commonly used in offices and restaurants, paper cups aren’t just paperโthey are coated with polyethylene, making them non-recyclable. Even cups used casually during outdoor activities release microplastics into the beverages they hold. - ๐ฅค Microplastics in Drinks
Microplastics have been detected in tap water, bottled water, and even beer, indicating that we ingest these tiny particles daily without realizing it. - ๐งด Microbeads in Personal Care Products
Exfoliating products like scrubs, as well as toothpaste, often contain microbeads, which are a form of microplastic designed to cleanse but end up polluting the environment.
๐ฌ๏ธ Microplastics in the Air We Breathe
Microplastics are released into the air from synthetic fibers, rubber tires, furniture, and waste incineration. These particles travel through the wind and enter our bodies through inhalation, making even the air we breathe a potential hazard.
๐ Microplastics in the Ocean
Once microplastics enter the ocean, they break down further due to UV rays, waves, and microorganisms. They accumulate in marine life, eventually making their way up the food chainโand back to us.
๐ฝ๏ธ How Much Microplastic Are We Consuming?
- โ Microplastic Bomb: Paper Cups + Tea Bags
A study by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) found that leaving hot water (100ยฐC) in a paper cup for 20 minutes released 5.1 trillion microplastic particles per liter. Even at room temperature (22ยฐC), 2.8 trillion particles were detected. - ๐ต Microplastics from Tea Bags
When a single tea bag was steeped in 95ยฐC water for 5 minutes, it released 14.7 billion microplastic particles, including 11.6 billion microplastics and 3.1 billion nanoplastics. - ๐ณ Eating a Credit Card a Week?
According to a report by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the average person consumes up to 5 grams of microplastics per week, equivalent to the weight of a credit card. Over a year, thatโs roughly 50 credit cards worth of plastic ingested.
๐ฉบ The Impact of Microplastic Consumption on Human Health
While some microplastics are excreted through bodily waste, others are absorbed into the bloodstream, reaching vital organs such as the liver. This can lead to severe health issues, including:
- Immune system disorders
- Increased risk of cancers, such as:
- Uterine cancer
- Breast cancer
- Thyroid cancer
- Prostate cancer
๐ฏ How to Reduce Microplastic Pollution
- ๐ What Individuals Can Do
- Use reusable shopping bags
- Switch to reusable cups
- Replace sponges and towels with natural hemp cloth or wooden brushes
- Practice proper waste separation for recycling
- Choose reusable products over single-use items
- ๐ญ The Role of Companies
Businesses should shift towards using sustainable materials instead of plastics in their products.
๐ Global Efforts to Combat Microplastic Pollution
- ๐ช๐บ European Union (EU)
Agreed to ban single-use plastic products starting in 2021 (decision made in 2018). - ๐ฏ๐ต Japan
In 2016, the Japan Cosmetic Industry Association advised its members to voluntarily restrict the use of microbeads. - ๐บ๐ธ United States
Enacted the Microbead-Free Waters Act in 2015 to prevent water pollution from microplastics. Cities like Seattle and California have strict regulations on plastic use. - ๐ซ๐ท France
Banned the sale of single-use plastic tableware, cosmetics with microbeads, and plastic cotton swabs in 2016. - ๐ฐ๐ท South Korea
- From April 1, 2022: Ban on single-use plastic cups in cafes
- June 10, 2022: Introduction of a deposit system for disposable cups in franchise stores
- November 24, 2022: Ban on disposable paper cups, plastic straws, and stirrers
- Restrictions on plastic bags in convenience stores, bakeries, and supermarkets
- Ban on plastic umbrella covers in large retail stores