Microplastics has proven to be a new concern for scientists recently and due to their increasing risks, it has become necessary to know what they are and how they came to be, and how to stay safe from them.
What Are Microplastics?
Microplastics, as their name Implies, are tiny fragments of plastic waste. They are defined as plastic particles measuring less than 5mm (0.2in) in length.
Where Do They Come From?
These microparticles originate from larger plastic pieces which went through natural processes like exposure to sunlight and disintegration in seawater. These particles then spread out into oceans, air and soil.
For instance, plastic waste from factories, broken pieces from plastic tools or objects and of course plastic waste remains on local beaches. This plastic pollution spreads to oceans and breaks down into microplastics through wave action and sunlight exposure.
Surprisingly we can also find microplastics even in cosmetic products. Microbeads are manufactured microplastics and comprise about 2% of the total microplastics worldwide.
Microplastics are everywhere, in the deepest oceans and highest mountains, pervading every corner of the Earth, including the air we breathe. They have been detected even in the falling rain.
Microplastics are endangering the earth and every living being on it. Keep yourself and your friends safe with these 8 methods to prevent exposure to microplastics
