Activity 3.3.3 My Plastic Use

 Plastic pollution has become a major environmental concern, with widespread attention on larger plastic debris like plastic bags and bottles that litter our beaches and harm marine life. However, there is a more insidious and hidden threat lurking in our oceans - microplastics. These tiny particles, often smaller than 5mm in size, are pervasive in our environment and pose significant risks to both humans and the ecosystem.

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Definition of Microplastics and Their Sources Microplastics are small particles
of plastic that result from the breakdown of larger plastic items or are
intentionally produced as tiny plastic beads in consumer products. They can be
categorized into two types: primary and secondary microplastics. Primary
microplastics are designed to be small, such as microbeads in personal care
products like toothpaste and exfoliators, and are directly released into the
environment. Secondary microplastics are the result of larger plastic items
breaking down due to weathering, degradation, or mechanical processes such as
abrasion from car tires and road markings, and ultimately find their way into the
environment.
are found in various habitats, including oceans, rivers, lakes, soil, air, and
even in drinking water and food products. They are pervasive in marine
environments and can be found in all parts of the world's oceans, from the surface
waters to the deep-sea sediments. Microplastics can also accumulate in coastal
areas, estuaries, and even in Arctic ice. They are transported through ocean
currents, atmospheric deposition, and other natural processes, making them
ubiquitous and difficult to contain or remove.
The Problem with Microplastics The presence of microplastics in the environment
poses several problems for both humans and the ecosystem. One of the primary
concerns is their impact on marine life. Microplastics can be mistaken for food
by marine organisms such as fish, plankton, and other filter feeders. These
particles can accumulate in the digestive tracts of these organisms, leading to
internal injuries, malnutrition, and even death. Additionally, microplastics
can adsorb toxic chemicals such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and
heavy metals from the surrounding water, making them a potential source of
contamination in the marine food chain. As these microplastics move up the food
chain, the concentration of toxic chemicals can increase, posing a risk to the
health of higher-level predators, including marine mammals and humans who
consume seafood.
from the direct impact on marine life, microplastics also have the potential to
cause harm to human health. Studies have found microplastics in drinking water,
seafood, and even in the air we breathe. Although research on the health
effects of microplastic exposure in humans is still in its early stages, there
is growing evidence that microplastics can have adverse health impacts.
Microplastics can accumulate in human tissues and organs, and there are
concerns about their potential to cause inflammation, disrupt the immune
system, and lead to other health issues.
microplastics have long-term environmental implications. Unlike larger plastic
debris, microplastics do not biodegrade, but rather persist in the environment
for hundreds of years. They can travel long distances, pollute remote areas,
and accumulate in sensitive ecosystems. Microplastics can also alter the
physical properties of soil, affecting soil fertility and water retention, and
can contribute to the spread of invasive species. The widespread presence of
microplastics in the environment is a clear indication of the scale of the
problem and the urgent need for action.
Microplastics are a hidden threat that is widespread in our environment, from
the oceans to the air we breathe and the food we eat. They are a result of
plastic pollution and the breakdown of larger plastic items, as well.

Let's talk about the micro plastics I use daily, without even realizing. First we got the lip butter, next we have some melatonin, fat burner, next we have chapstick!! People don't even realize the microplastics that go into chapstick. Of course we've got our all plastic Nalgene water bottle, all of my makeup that has every sort of micro plastic in existent. The brush, perfume, face wash, face lotion, were brought up in the articles that they ALL contain micro plastics. My pre workout contains it, along with my protein powder. All of my tupper ware, and last but not least my painting supplies, and trinkets given from friends.

Citations:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPS). (2018). National overview: Facts and figures on materials, wastes and recycling. https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/national-overview-facts-and-figures-materials

Guardian. (2018, June 5). Families around the world join war on plastic—in pictures. The Guardian Picture Essay. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jun/05/families-around-the-world-join-war-on-plastic-in-pictures

Haab, S., & Haab, K. (n.d.). The environmental impacts of microplastics: An investigation of microplastic pollution in North Country waterbodies. Adventure Scientists. https://www.adventurescientists.org/uploads/7/3/9/8/7398741/haabhaab2016_environmental_impacts_of_microplastics.pdf

Maximenko, N., Chao, Y., & Moller, D. (2016). Developing a remote sensing system to track marine debris. Earth and Space Science News.  https://eos.org/meeting-reports/developing-a-remote-sensing-system-to-track-marine-debris

Parker, L. (2018). Planet or plastic. National Geographic Magazine Online. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2018/06/plastic-planet-waste-pollution-trash-crisis/

Plastic Soup Foundation. (2019). Beat the microbead. https://www.beatthemicrobead.org

Simons Foundation Science Sandbox (Producer). (2019). World class explorers help scientists collect elusive data [Video]

Van Sebille, E. (2013). Charting the garbage patches of the seas[video]. University of New South Wales