Microplastics are raining on the inhabitants of the cities. Credit: EPA / REX / The Telegraph
Microplastics are raining on city dwellers confirm recent research that indicates the United Kingdom as the worst polluted.
Until now, the health impacts caused by breathing or ingesting the tiny plastic particles are unknown; however researchers indicate to urgently investigate more.
Although only studies have been conducted in 4 cities, all had microplastic contamination in the air. Now, scientists dare to say that all the cities of the world would be contaminated, because the plastic particles generated by the clothes or containers are everywhere.
According to recent research, the entire planet seems to be contaminated by microplastics. Particles have been found everywhere: in the Arctic snow, in the mountains, in rivers and even in the deep ocean.
In addition, other research found that plastic particles can fly through the air and reach various places in the world.
London: the worst contamination by microplastics
Scientists were surprised to notice the level of contamination of microplastics in London’s air.
Stephanie Wright, scientist of Kings College London, and lead author of the investigation, said in a statement:
We found a great abundance of microplastics, much higher than previously reported. But in any city in the world something similar will happen.
I find it worrying, that’s why I’m working on it. The biggest concern is that we really don’t know much at all. I want to know if it’s safe or not. ”
The figures indicate that approximately 335 million tons of plastic are produced each year, and much of it is filtered into the environment.
An investigation published in the magazine Environment International, collected microplastics that fell on the roof of a nine-story building in central London.
In the eight samples, rates of 575 to 1,008 pieces per square meter per day were found, and 15 varieties of plastic were identified.
Most of the microplastics were acrylic fibers, possibly from clothing. 8 percent were particles, composed mainly of polystyrene and polyethylene, mostly present in plastic bags.
The amount of microplastics collected in London has surpassed China 20 times, seven times higher than in Paris, France and three times higher than Hamburg, Germany.
Potential Health Hazard
The majority of microplastic particles collected in London measured between 0.002 mm and 0.5 mm, large enough to enter through the airways and swallow them with saliva without noticing.
Smaller particles can even enter the lungs and bloodstream representing a potential health hazard.
It is known that the damage to health by contaminating particles is severe. An investigation in 2019 determined that air pollution could be causing damage to all organs and all cells of the human body.
However, until now the health impact of inhaling microplastics by air or by consuming them in water or food. One study confirmed that people consume approximately 50,000 microplastic particles per year.
In addition, microplastics can carry toxic chemicals or harmful microbes. Problems caused by particles in marine animals have already been found.
In 1998, an evaluation of microplastics and their impact on human lungs was published. Plastic fibers were found in lungs affected by Cancer.
Steve Allen, researcher of EcoLab research institute near Toulouse, France, said in a statement:
These studies that show how much plastic is in the air are a wake-up call. The [London research] is a very well prepared study that shows an incredibly high number of microplastics in the air.
We currently have very little knowledge about what effect this air pollution will have on humans. But with what we know, it is quite scary to think that we are breathing it. We need an urgent investigation. ”
According to Allen, to reduce contamination by microplastics, it is required to change the way we use and dispose of plastic. This is a problem that will not go away by itself, the researchers said.
Source: The guardian
