Major Plastics in Use - Microplastics, Microbeads

Exposure to plastics has been noted to induce intestinal inflammation and disrupt gut microbiota, leading to alterations in the gut microbiome.
Both microplastics and nanoplastics have been recognized for their impact on soil microorganisms and their potential to enter the food chain.
Various pieces of evidence indicate the presence of these particles in human lung tissue, placenta, stool, blood, and meconium.
Most studies outlined in the report demonstrate modifications in the host resulting from exposure to microplastics.
These alterations encompass changes in gene markers, biochemical markers, the mucus layer, gut permeability, oxidative stress, immune response, and liver function.

Table of Contents

MICROPLASTICS

Plastic pollution in the ocean undergoes degradation, resulting in the formation of Microplastics—tiny plastic particles measuring less than 5mm in diameter. These Microplastics can be classified into two main categories:

Primary Microplastics: These are minute particles intentionally manufactured for commercial purposes, including microbeads present in personal care products, plastic pellets, and plastic fibers such as those shed from clothing and textiles.
Secondary Microplastics: Formed through the breakdown of larger plastic items like water bottles.

The Menace of Microplastics:

Marine Debris: According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), a staggering 8 million tonnes of plastic find their way into the oceans annually, constituting approximately 80% of all marine debris from surface waters to deep-sea sediments. Over the last four decades, concentrations of these particles in the ocean’s surface waters have shown a significant increase, as reported by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Impact on Marine Life: Microplastics have visible and alarming consequences, causing suffocation and entanglement for numerous marine species. Various marine organisms, such as fish, crabs, and prawns, ingest these microplastics, mistakenly identifying them as food.
Impact on Humans: As humans consume seafood, which may have ingested microplastics, health complications can arise. A study by the World Wide Fund for Nature revealed that an average person consumes approximately 5 grams of plastic.
WHO’s Stand on Microplastics: The World Health Organization (WHO) asserts that the current levels of microplastics in drinking water are not yet considered harmful to humans but emphasizes the need for further research into potential future risks. Microplastics larger than 150 micrometers are unlikely to be absorbed by the human body, but the risk of absorption increases for very small microplastic particles, including nano-sized plastics.

NANOPLASTICS

Nanoplastics are exceptionally small, measuring below 1 micrometer in size, making them even smaller than microplastics.
In contrast to microplastics, which range from 5 millimeters to 1 micrometer, nanoplastics have the unique ability to traverse from the intestines and lungs directly into the bloodstream, ultimately reaching vital organs such as the heart and brain.
A recent study conducted in the United States has brought to light a concerning revelation regarding bottled water, exposing the presence of hundreds of thousands of nanoplastic particles and highlighting potential health risks associated with their consumption.
The findings indicate that every liter of bottled water contains a staggering 110,000 to 370,000 nanoplastic particles. Notably, approximately 90% of these particles fall within the nanosized range, amplifying the potential risk to human health.
The study identifies common plastics found in bottled water, including polyamide, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), as significant contributors to the exposure of micro-nano plastics from bottled waters.
Particularly, PET, commonly used in disposable beverage bottles, has been identified as susceptible to leaching into water, especially when exposed to heat or subjected to pressure.

MICROBEADS

Microbeads, categorized as a type of microplastic, are minute fragments of engineered polyethylene plastic.
They find application as exfoliating agents in various health and beauty products, including cleansers and toothpastes.
Despite their diminutive size, microbeads present a significant environmental concern due to their potential impact on aquatic ecosystems.
One of the key issues with microbeads is their size, which makes them extremely small and allows them to easily bypass water filtration systems.
Consequently, these microscopic particles can enter water bodies such as the ocean and the Great Lakes, posing a notable risk to aquatic life.
The presence of microbeads in aquatic environments raises concerns about their ingestion by marine organisms and the potential consequences for the overall health of these ecosystems.
The widespread use of products containing microbeads has led to increased environmental awareness and efforts to address and restrict the usage of such particles in consumer goods.

IMPACTS OF MICROPLASTICS

Antarctic krill and other zooplankton face challenges from plastic beads approximately 20 microns in size, as studies have indicated that these microparticles are readily ingested by these organisms.
The ingestion appears to be unselective, with rates depending on the concentration of particles in the environment.
Plastics, while bio-inert and not traditionally toxic to animals, can pose threats through physical obstruction or indirect interference with physiology.
The material typically passes through the animal virtually unchanged.
The concern arises from the fact that plastics exposed to seawater tend to concentrate both toxic and non-toxic organic compounds found in low concentrations in the sea.
Plastic-related stress has been observed in over 250 species globally, with a notable focus on larger species in surface waters or on beaches.
The impact of negatively buoyant plastic waste, like nylon net fragments, on benthic species has received less attention.
Despite widespread interest, limited research by government agencies or the plastics industry has been conducted to address key concerns related to plastics in the marine environment.
The persistent nature of microplastics, like all plastics, adds complexity to the issue, as they take hundreds or thousands of years to decompose, causing environmental harm during this period.
Microplastics are visible on beaches as tiny multicolored plastic fragments in the sand and are frequently consumed by marine animals in oceans. These particles have been found in marine organisms ranging from plankton to whales, commercial seafood, and even drinking water. Complicating matters further, microplastics in the ocean can bind with other harmful chemicals before being consumed by marine organisms.

FAQs – Major Plastics in Use: Microplastic, Microbeads, and Nanoplastics and Their Effects

1-What are microplastics, and how are they formed?

A: Microplastics are tiny plastic particles, measuring less than 5mm in diameter, formed through the degradation of plastic pollution in the ocean. They can be classified into primary and secondary microplastics.

2-What distinguishes primary microplastics from secondary microplastics?

A: Primary microplastics are intentionally manufactured for commercial purposes, including microbeads and plastic fibers. Secondary microplastics result from the breakdown of larger plastic items like water bottles.

3-How significant is the issue of marine debris caused by microplastics?

A: The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reports that around 8 million tonnes of plastic enter the oceans annually, constituting approximately 80% of all marine debris. Concentrations of microplastics in ocean surface waters have shown a significant increase in the last four decades, according to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

4-What impact do microplastics have on marine life?

A: Microplastics pose visible and alarming consequences for marine species, causing suffocation and entanglement. Marine organisms, including fish, crabs, and prawns, often ingest microplastics, mistakenly identifying them as food.

5-How does the consumption of seafood relate to human exposure to microplastics?

A: Humans who consume seafood may be exposed to microplastics, leading to potential health complications. Studies suggest an average person consumes approximately 5 grams of plastic through seafood.

6-What is the World Health Organization’s (WHO) stance on microplastics in drinking water?

A: The WHO states that current levels of microplastics in drinking water are not considered harmful to humans. However, further research is recommended to assess potential future risks, especially for very small microplastic particles, including nano-sized plastics.

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Major Plastics in Use – Microplastics, Microbeads & Nanoplastics & their effects – UPSC Environment Notes