Activity 3.3.3 – My Plastic Use.

     Throughout the last few decades, microplastics have grown in importance as a worry. These minuscule, fewer than five millimeter-long pieces of plastic are pervasive in the environment and are seriously harming both human health and the ecosystem. Microplastics are tiny plastic flecks with a diameter of less than five millimeters. Primary and secondary microplastics are the two groups into which they are divided. "Although secondary microplastics are produced as a result of the breakdown of bigger plastic goods like water bottles, bags, and packaging, primary microplastics are made and added on purpose to personal care products like toothpaste and exfoliants (Haab, S., & Haab, K. ,n.d)". Due to their longevity, microplastics have the capacity to survive for decades after entering the environment through wind and water currents. They can also be ingested by animals and humans, where they can accumulate in tissues and cause harm.    

    Microplastics enter the environment in a variety of ways. Primary microplastics are intentionally added to personal care products and released into the environment through wastewater treatment plants. Secondary microplastics are created through the breakdown of larger plastic items that have been discarded into the environment. Microplastics are found in a wide range of environments, including oceans, freshwater systems, and terrestrial ecosystems. They are commonly detected in drinking water, seafood, and even the air we breathe. Microplastics pose a significant threat to both human health and the environment. Here are some of the ways in which they are problematic:

1.Environmental harm

Microplastics can have a significant impact on wildlife, marine ecosystems, and terrestrial ecosystems. "When ingested by animals, they can cause physical damage to the digestive system and can also release toxic chemicals into the animal's body (Haab, S., & Haab, K. ,n.d)". This can lead to reduced growth and reproduction rates, as well as increased mortality rates.

Microplastics can also have negative impacts on ecosystems. For example, they can alter water quality, reduce the amount of light that penetrates the water, and affect the behavior of marine organisms. Additionally, microplastics can adsorb other toxic chemicals, which can increase their concentrations in the environment and cause harm to wildlife and humans.

2.Human health

Microplastics are present in a variety of food sources, including seafood, drinking water, and even the air we breathe. When ingested by humans, microplastics can accumulate in tissues and organs, leading to potential health risks. For example, studies have found that microplastics can cause inflammation, oxidative stress, and DNA damage in humans. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and heavy metals, for example, can be carried by microplastics together with other harmful substances. These substances have a serious potential to harm one's health when used, and these effects can include cancer, developmental delays, and reproductive issues.

3. Economic impact

Microplastics can also have a significant economic impact. For example, they can reduce the value of commercial fish stocks and negatively impact the tourism industry by damaging beaches and coastal areas.

In conclusion, microplastics are a significant environmental and health concern. They are small, but their impact can be enormous. It is important that we take steps to reduce our use of plastics, properly dispose of plastic items, and raise awareness of the issue. We need to work together to ensure a healthy and sustainable future for ourselves and the planet.

Documenting a use of plastic:

The collage above shows the plastic I used in a matter of a day. When you consider how much plastic we consume on a daily basis, it is astounding. "Plastic is now used everywhere, from the containers we use to keep our personal care products to the packaging of our food and beverages (Dudas, S.,2018)". We have grown so dependent on this multipurpose substance that we frequently overlook the effects it has on the environment. One of the major environmental problems we now face is plastic garbage, and it's not only the physical debris that's a concern. Plastic takes hundreds of years to deteriorate and disintegrates into ever-tinier fragments, which pollutes our seas and streams, harms animals, and eventually enters the food chain. The sheer amount of plastic we use and dispose of every day is simply staggering and we need to take action to reduce our dependence on this material before it's too late.

References:

Dudas, S. (2018). Microplastics are everywhere [Video]. TEDx Binghampton University.

Haab, S., & Haab, K. (n.d.). The environmental impacts of microplastics: An investigation of microplastic pollution in North Country waterbodies. Adventure Scientists.