"The body of research on microplastics is growing and it is already showing us that the health impacts are very concerning," said Tracey Woodruff, a researcher at the University of California, San Francisco. Woodruff recently conducted a systematic review of 2,000 previous studies on animals, fi...
What can be done to combat microplastics? For consumers, there are a number of steps to be taken to reduce the amounts of microplastics that they are either ingesting or releasing into the environment. These include: Ditching bottled water for a refillable water bottle, preferably made of stain...
To those who’ve been studying microplastics for years or decades, however, the emerging evidence more generally points one way—and it will continue in that direction unless more radical, big-picture action is undertaken. Since 99% of all plastics are made from fossil fuels, Cirino says, ...
Microplastics are “one of the greatest manmade disasters of our time,” according to the Natural History Museum in London. That’s bad news, given they are also everywhere; in tap water, the food you buy, the clothes you wear and the air you breathe. The largest microplastics can be se...
Microplastics break even further into nanoplastics, which are small enough to move through human organs— including the brain — and enter our cells. Nearly everything around you — carpets, curtains, coasters, cups, packaging, clothing, couches, beds — contains plastic, and it all sheds plastic...
Given the rapid increase in the production ofsynthetic fibers, and the as-yet-unknown impact of microplastics (which weredocumented in human placentaslast year)—the question remains whether clothing should be made from biologically incompatible materials at all. ...
Microplastics have beenfound in tap water worldwide, so filtering your water is an essential step in reducing exposure. Also, consider eliminating single-use water containers from your home since they are made of plastic. Filtering your water helps ensure cleaner water, reducing the potential for ...
What have scientists discovered about microplastics recently? D A. They are mainly made up of PET. B. They're a major source of pollution. C. They exist everywhere in the world. D. They've found their way into human bodies.26. Why is the Pyrenees Mountain Range mentioned in the fourth...
Microplastics are turning up everywhere, fromremote mountain topstodeep ocean trenches. They also are inmany animals,including humans. The most common microplastics in the environment aremicrofibers—plastic fragments shaped like tiny threads or filaments. Microfibers come from m...
Bacteria degrades bioplastic much more rapidly than conventional plastic, but that releases both methane and carbon dioxide – greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. It also breaks down into microplastics, meaning it gets...