If you’ve been following the global conversation around plastic pollutionyou’ve probably heard of microplastics. These small particles have turned up everywhere from the depths of the ocean to the top of Mount Everest and even throughout the human body.
But what exactly are microplasticswhy are they concerning and what can the world do about them? Read on to find out.
What are microplastics?
There are several definitions. One widely used approach defines microplastics as any fragment of plastic that is between 1 nanometer and 5 millimetres wide. One nanometre is just a fraction of the width of a human hairand 5 millimetres is about the width of a wedding band.
Where do microplastics come from?
There are two main sourcessays Susan GardnerDirector of the Ecosystems Division at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Some plastics are made to be small. These are known as primary microplasticslike the microbeads intentionally added to face washes and other personal care products. But most microplastics come from the slow disintegration of larger plastic productsincluding plastic wraptakeaway containerspolyester clothestirespaint and artificial turf. These are known as secondary microplastics.
How common are microplastics?
Very. They are found in watersoil and the air. According to one estimate2.7 million tonnes of microplastics seeped into the environment in 2020an estimate expected to double by 2040. “It’s probably safe to say that microplastics are just about everywhere,” says Gardnerwhose division works to counter plastic pollution in lakesrivers and the ocean.
How do microplastics get into the environment?
There are several ways. Over time discarded plastic products – like water bottles and cling wrap – can break down into microplastics. Synthetic fabrics like polyestercan shed microplastic fibres when they’re washed. Microplastics also get released into the environment when people use products laced with the particles.
Howevermicroplastics find their way into the environmentonce they’re therethey get around. Research has shown that particles can move through the food webas well as through soilwaterice – even the air.
“We’re just beginning to understand how microplastics travel and where they end up,” says Gardner. “But what we do know for sure is that when they end up in the environmentthey also end up in our food chain. Scientists are still trying to understand the potential impact on our health but there are real reasons to be concerned.”
Why are microplastics potentially a problem for people?
Microplastics can enter the human body through ingestion and inhalation. It remains to be confirmed if nanoplastics – which are less than 1 micrometer across – may even slip through the skinas some research suggests.
One 2019 study found some adults could potentially be consuming between 39,000 to 52,000 microplastics particles a year on averagedepending on their location and what they do. Microplastics have been found throughout the human bodyincluding in the walls of arteries.
Are microplastics damaging to plantsanimals and the wider environment?
Yes. One study found they can slow the growth of a microscopic marine algae known as phytoplanktonthe base of several aquatic food webs. Another report found microplastics can make soil less fertilehampering harvests. Microplastics may speed the melting of snow and ice in places like the Arcticlimiting the planet’s ability to reflect sunlight and speeding global warmingone study suggested.
How can you reduce the amount of microplastics in the environment?
A first step is for companies to stop adding unnecessary microplastics to productsGardner says. Also important is redesigning products so they contain less plastic and shed fewer plastic fibres but also are not released to the environment at end of life. Bolstering waste collection and recycling systems would help prevent plastic products from escaping into the environmentwhere they break down into microplastics.
Is anybody doing anything about microplastics?
Yesthere is a growing global effort to address plastic pollution. For examplethis year’s World Environment Day – an annual celebration of the Earth on 5 June and hosted by UNEP – will spotlight solutions to plastic pollution and the problem that is microplastics. Meanwhilethe countries of the world are negotiating an international legally binding agreement to end plastic pollution. Negotiations will resume in GenevaSwitzerland in August.
UNEP's work is made possible by flexible contributions from Member States and other partners to the Environment Fund and UNEP ClimateNature and Pollution funds. These funds enable agileinnovative solutions to climate changenature and biodiversity lossand pollution and waste. Learn how to support UNEP to invest in people and planet.
World Environment Day
World Environment Day on 5 June is the biggest international day for the environment. Led by UNEP and held annually since 1973the event has grown to be the largest global platform for environmental outreachwith millions of people from across the world engaging to protect the planet. This yearWorld Environment Day joins the UNEP-led #BeatPlasticPollution campaign to end plastic pollution.
About Beat Plastic Pollution
Since 2018the UNEP-led #BeatPlasticPollution campaign has advocated for a justcollectiveand global transition to a world free of plastic pollution.
