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Researchers have long been aware of the harm waste plastics cause to marine life. Now, the results of studies at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, published in March 2022, prove microplastics are also present in people's bloodstream. The potential impact on human health is currently unknown, as the research in the Netherlands is the first to confirm the plastic invasion.
What are microplastics?
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that measure less than 5mm across. Everyday consumer products are the source of 24% of microplastics found in the ocean.
Research by the International Union for Conservation of Nature suggests dust from man-made products is creating billions of tiny pieces of plastic, described as "city dust",that find their way into the sea. This includes dust caused by abrasion to synthetic soles of shoes, plastic cooking utensils, artificial grass, marina buildings and harbours. The blasting of abrasives, using detergents and the general weathering of plastic materials also creates tiny plastic microbeads.
Other sources include textiles, car tyres, abrasion from road markings, personal care products and plastic pellets made for various applications, such as nodules for packing items in transit. Scientists estimate 35% of microplastics in the ocean come from textiles, 28% from tyres and 7% from road markings.
In Europe, 365 microplastic particles in every square metre of rural land have been meaured. The particles were described as "falling daily from the sky", even though the land tested was 60 miles from the nearest city. This was described as a "new atmospheric pollutant".
Where have microplastics been found so far?
Concern about microplastics has been growing for almost 20 years. Most studies have highlighted the dangers to marine life. A study by marine ecologists at Plymouth University first discovered microplastics across many British beaches in 2004. Since then, they have been found just about everywhere, including deep in the oceans, in Antarctic ice, in drinking water, beer, salt, floating in the air and falling in the rain in cities and rural areas. They have been found in the stomachs of birds, fish and other marine creatures. Turtles, dolphins and seabirds have been severely affected.
British marine ecologist Richard Thompson says it's "almost certain" just about all species have experienced some level of exposure to the microbeads. More than 700 species of wildlife are known to be significantly affected by plastics.
Research published in Science Daily in October 2021 estimated there were 24 TRILLION pieces of microplastic in the world's oceans already. This equates to around 30 billion 500ml plastic drinks bottles. The figure has been estimated by a global team of oceanographers led by scientists from Kyushu University in Japan.
They have collected and calibrated data from many voyages of exploration all over the world, using a tow net and equipment such as a flowmeter to determine how many microplastics are in each area. This has enabled them to accurately assess the abundance of microplastics all over the world.
Impact of microplastics on humans
Scientists had long feared microbeads would find their way onto the dinner table if people ate fish or other animals that had ingested plastic waste. Now, the fears have become a reality - but it's not only meat and fish-eaters who have been found with microplastics in their body.
A new study, led by ecotoxicologist Professor Dick Vethaak, has found microplastics in human blood. Scientists analysed blood samples from anonymous donors, all of whom were healthy adults. Plastic particles were found in 77% of the samples.
Around half the plastics were PET, commonly used in plastic drink bottles. Around one-third contained polystyrene, used for food packaging. A quarter contained polyethylene, the material used to make plastic carrier bags.
They have been ingested by people not only in food but also in drinking water and through simply breathing them in. Microplastics have also been found in faeces samples from adults and even babies.
Prof Vethaak described the study as a "breakthrough" and the first indication that polymer particles had found their way into humans' bloodstream.
Further scientific research has revealed once in the bloodstream, microplastics have the ability to latch onto the red blood cells' outer membranes. This can limit the cells' capability of transporting oxygen through the body.
Particles of plastic have been discovered in the placentas of pregnant women. Laboratory studies have suggested they can pass into the lungs, hearts and other organs.
Further research is needed to determine how dangerous this is for our health, as the studies are in their infancy and there are currently insufficient data available.
Single-use plastics targeted
The problem of single-use throwaway plastics is cited by Greenpeace as being a major source of plastic pollution that can be avoided.
The environmental charity has challenged major soft drinks manufacturers to use less plastic. In the UK, the use of certain microplastics has been banned. Supermarkets are also starting to look into ways they can amend their operating procedures to help reduce microplastics.
With love for our planet
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