Hello readers! Welcome back to my blog. Today we will continue our discussion on microplastic pollution.
Microplastics have been found to be in our food, water, and the air we breathe, accumulating in our bodies. They are almost impossible to avoid in the 21st century, also being found in our water and staple food products, other than our clothes. As mentioned previously, microplastics in the ocean largely comprise of microfibres from our clothes
Although there has not been extensive research on this new type of pollution, it has been found that microplastics found around Singaporean coasts are very effective vectors for marine pathogens, meaning they can easily carry harmful viruses and bacteria. Microplastics are washed into the ocean all the time due to anthropogenic activity. If consumed by fish, these toxic pathogens can find their way up the food chain to humans bringing dangerous consequences to our health.
Furthermore, it has been hypothesized that the accumulation of plastic in a human’s body is likely to bring negative effects. Plastic comprises varying components, some clearly toxic and not meant to be ingested. These include substances like chlorine. In marine animals, accumulation of microplastics is known to cause infertility. The vast range in size of microplastics are unsettling. Plastic has been found to be ingested by plankton, demonstrating just how small these particles are. Scientists are concerned that these particles can enter our bloodstreams and reach the liver.
Microplastics can also pick up toxic chemicals found in the environment from occurrences such as oil spills. They harbour persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as pesticides and industrial chemicals, which are highly toxic to marine life and humans. POPs stick to our fat cells where they are metabolised by the body, subsequently causing fatal health problems.
Whether or not the impacts of prolonged microplastic ingestion are as harmful as research has predicted, I believe many will agree that any amount of plastic in our bodies would be too much.
Therefore, it is pertinent that we strive to switch to wearing more natural fabrics like cotton and linen in the long run!
♡, Qystina
Sources:
Carrington, D. (2019). Microplastic pollution revealed ‘absolutely everywhere’ by new research. The Guardian. Retrieved September 17, 2020, from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/mar/07/microplastic-pollution-revealed-absolutely-everywhere-by-new-research
Chang, A. (2019). Tiny plastic particles found in air, food and water, wwf study finds. The Straits Times. Retrieved September 17, 2020, from https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/people-could-be-ingesting-5g-of-plastic-a-week
Cirino, E. (2019). Something fishy: toxic plastic pollution is traveling up the food chain. The Revelator. Retrieved September 17, 2020, from https://therevelator.org/toxic-plastic-pollution-food-chain/