One of the biggest sources of pollution worldwide is microplastics . Also known as plastic microbeads, they are present in a multitude of everyday hygiene products such as exfoliating creams, toothpastes, and soaps. These tiny particles contaminate the environment, causing an environmental impact whose magnitude has increased over the decades. For more than 40 years , microplastics have been accumulating in the oceans and, today, are found scattered throughout almost all the world's seas.
In this guide, we'll explain in detail what microplastics are, where they are found, and the consequences they have for the environment and human health. We'll also explore possible solutions to address this growing problem.
What are microplastics
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles, generally less than 5 millimeters in diameter, used in a wide variety of cleaning and cosmetic products. They first appeared in the 1980s for cosmetic purposes due to their exfoliating properties, but are also used to add color and texture to various products.
We can find them in everyday products, such as:
- Toothpastes and shower gels
- skin scrubs
- Sunscreens
- Detergents and cleaning agents
- Synthetic fiber of clothing
These microplastics are frequently discharged into wastewater systems, and because current filtration systems cannot remove them, they end up in rivers, seas, and oceans. Particles of polymers such as polyethylene , polypropylene , and polystyrene are now present in almost every body of water on the planet.
The worst part is that these tiny plastics are invisible to the human eye in most cases, but their presence is devastating. It is estimated that tons of microplastics enter our oceans every day, affecting thousands of species and, more recently, even humans are facing their risks.
Consequences for the environment
One of the main problems with microplastics is their negative impact on marine life . Due to their tiny size, wastewater treatment plant filtration systems are unable to remove them completely. These plastics end up being ingested by seabirds, fish, and marine mammals, leading to their slow death.
Microplastics have become one of the main threats to ecosystems because:
- They pollute the seas and rivers through the discharge of poorly treated wastewater.
- Suelen be ingested by plankton, a fundamental component of the marine food chain, affecting the food supply for larger species.
- They prefer chemically attract and absorb contaminants such as heavy metals and toxins present in the water, which creates a toxic bomb for living beings.
Recent studies have shown that these plastics have reached regions as remote as the Arctic and Antarctica. They are found in marine sediments, corals, and even in microscopic organisms such as zooplankton. Corals, essential for marine biodiversity, are also suffering the consequences. As if climate change were not bad enough for reefs, microplastic pollution endangers their ability to survive, affecting the balance of marine ecosystems.
Microplastics risk to human health
The risks posed by these plastics not only affect marine life but also humans . Through the food chain, microplastics can end up in the human body and potentially harm our health.
A Greenpeace report, titled “Plastics in Fish and Seafood ,” revealed alarming levels of specific microplastics in products we consume daily. These plastics are not only difficult to eliminate from the body, but they can also carry heavy metals and pollutants absorbed from the marine environment. An Orb Media study found that 83% of tap water samples from 12 different countries contained microplastics.
The true extent of the effects on human health is not yet fully understood. Ongoing research warns that we may be consuming thousands of microplastics per week through food and beverages. Furthermore, inhalation is another route of exposure, as the airborne particles can be breathed in.
Although we do not have extensive research into the direct, long-term effects, microplastics pose considerable potential risks, and the world's population is increasingly concerned. As with other invisible pollutants, we may be facing a problem that will take years to fully manifest itself. The challenge is how we can mitigate this situation before it is too late.
Prohibition and alternatives
Due to growing awareness of the dangers of these plastics, several countries have begun to ban microplastics in certain products. In the United States , for example, the use of these microbeads has been banned in cosmetic products such as soaps and facial scrubs. The United Kingdom followed suit after discovering high levels of microplastic pollution in the River Thames.
In the European Union , the fight against microplastics is still underway. Although there is no law completely banning their use, MEPs have demanded that measures be taken to eliminate intentional microplastics from cosmetics and detergents by 2025. Organizations such as the UN and the Marine Litter Partnership are also working on creating global guidelines to reduce plastic in the environment, incentivizing the design of sustainable products.
However, discussions about banning are not enough. Work is also being done on alternatives to conventional microplastics, including:
- Biodegradable products made from corn flour or apricot kernels.
- Jojoba microspheres or natural pearls, which perform the same exfoliation function in an environmentally friendly way.
- Initiatives such as the Global Commitment to the New Plastics Economy, promoted by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the UN, to reduce dependence on plastics.
While banning the manufacture and use of microplastics is essential, it's equally important that consumers adopt more responsible habits . Choosing products that use natural alternatives or that don't pollute our oceans should be a priority for everyone.
The problem of microplastics is omnipresent, but it is in our hands to start actively looking for solutions, supporting stricter laws, choosing sustainable options and reducing the amount of plastics we introduce into nature.
With the support of science, appropriate policies and increased awareness, we can mitigate the devastating effects that microplastics have on the environment and our health.