Microplastics are plastic particles of less than 5 mm in diameter, which can result from the fragmentation of larger plastics or be produced by industry, already small, in the form of a sphere or powder.
These particles are found in the air and deposited on the seabed and beaches and are easily mistaken for food by fish and other marine animals, due to their small size, which ingest them, causing damage to their health, which results in a threat to the food chain, since microplastics are then ingested and inspired by other animals and humans.
Microplastics can be classified as primary or secondary
Primary microplastics are those that are produced by industry, already in small dimensions, and then released into the environment.This type of plastic is the result of industrial leaks, synthetic clothing and the use of cosmetic products with abrasive properties, such as toothpaste or scrub, in which microplastics of spherical or irregular shapes and of different colors are introduced.
Secondary microplastics are those that result from the fragmentation of larger plastics, of different origin, worn by photodegradation, friction abrasion with water or other plastics, with salt and exposure to different temperatures.
Microplastics pose a threat to marine fauna, as they have been found in the digestive tract of shrimp, mussels, oysters and other species; these particles cause physical damage and mechanical obstruction of the digestive system and consequent malnutrition, in addition, enter the bloodstream, causing stress and hormonal changes that compromise their growth and reproduction rates and changes in the physiology of the liver and heart.
As a result, these microplastics consumed by marine animals compromise all flora and are also consumed by humans.
In addition, damage to organisms that ingest microplastics can also be caused by the absorption and absorption of contaminants by microplastics, which are a vector for the exposure and transfer of highly toxic organic compounds.
To reduce the impact of microplastics on the environment, plastics need to be reduced, reused and recycled and products containing microplastics avoided.
A large number of microplastics result from washing synthetic clothing and tire wear, so it is important to reduce the use of synthetic clothing, reduce the number of washes, speeds and temperatures, and make greater use of public transport.
In addition, it is important that the industry begins to invest in the use of biodegradable plastics and to avoid industrial losses of microplastics, which are used in the production of various objects, as well as to avoid the introduction of microplastics in cosmetics and abrasive cleaning.replacing them with biodegradable substances. It is also important that plastic is designed to be recycled.
Watch the video below and learn some tips that will teach you how to deal with waste, reduce plastic products, and protect the environment: