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MicroplasticsMicroplastics, or MPs, are tiny plastic particles less than five millimeters long and have become one of Earth's most widespread pollutants.
Like synthetic plastics, MPs are mostly made of long chains of hydrogen and carbon atoms, formed by linking byproducts of refining crude oil and natural gas. Other chemical additives may be incorporated to modify the final product’s properties.
Primary MPs, such as microbeads, are intentionally manufactured to be small. Secondary MPs, such as those released while washing synthetic textiles, form from the breakdown of larger plastics and make up the bulk of MPs in the environment.
As of 2024, the FDA claims there is insufficient evidence that MPs pose any human health risk, though initial biochemical studies have linked them to inflammation and hormone disruption.Explore Microplastics
What we've found
Airborne microplastics may influence cloud formation and climateMicroplastics are increasingly found in the atmosphere and may affect the climate by reflecting or absorbing sunlight based on their pigmentation. Like mineral dust, they may become cloud seeders and alter regional precipitation patterns as they become more abundant. Yale e360BPA-free plastics often contain other harmful 'forever chemicals'These molecules are widely used in single-use plastics, may leach into food, resist breakdown, and can build up in the human body. They have been linked to obesity, heart disease, and neurological issues, particularly when heated. Insider ScienceNanoplastics can bypass the blood-brain barrier and may harm the nervous systemNanoplastics are formed from the breakdown of microplastics and can breach cells. Their large surface area relative to size allows them to carry higher concentrations of forever chemicals than the surrounding environment into sensitive organs. It's ComplicatedMost biodegradable plastics don’t break down in everyday conditionsDespite their eco-friendly name, biodegradable plastics often require industrial composting, which most areas lack, to decompose the uncommon compounds found in them. This means they may linger in landfills or contaminate conventional plastics in recycling bins. The New York TimesThe prevalence of microplastics came from plastic’s affordability and versatilityMicroplastics' durability and overuse have led to massive pollution that overwhelms the planet's ecosystems. Avian, terrestrial, and marine life have been observed to contain microplastics in their bodies, but reverting to paper, cotton, and other materials in manufacturing also brings environmental challenges. KurzgesagtMicroplastics may cut crop yields and worsen global hungerA major study found that microplastics disrupt photosynthesis in plants and algae, potentially putting an additional 400 million people at risk of starvation within 20 years. The damage from microplastics to crops may already rival the impact of climate change on food supplies. The GuardianPlastics don’t biodegrade because their chemical bonds are unnatural to microbesDespite coming from petroleum, which itself comes from organic material, synthetic plastic was not mass-produced until the mid-20th century. Insufficient time has passed for microbes to develop the necessary enzymes to break it down naturally. Live ScienceMicroplastics are everywhere and pose growing risks to wildlife and ecosystemsThese tiny plastic particles come from intentionally small items and the breakdown of larger plastic debris, ending up in soil, air, and water. A study of 37 US National Park beaches found microfibers at every site, making up 97% of all microplastic debris. NOAAHere's how the seven types of plastics fare in the recycling processTo help you make better-informed decisions about the products that you buy, here's a simple explanation of the seven different types of plastic, how they differ, and their impact on the environment. Plastics For ChangeThe history of natural and synthetic plasticsFrom cheap toys to woolly jumpers, plastic can be found in more products than many people realize. From a chemist's perspective all these things are made of the same class of materials: Polymers. And the distinction between which ones we happen to call "plastics" and which ones we don't is fairly arbitrary. BBCA guide to avoiding single-use plasticsHere’s everything you need to know about the most ubiquitous (and avoidable) kind of plastic waste: single-use plastics, the kind made to be tossed in mere minutes NRDCHow billiard balls catalyzed the 'Plastics Century'For centuries, billiard balls were made of ivory from elephant tusks. But when excessive hunting caused elephant populations to decline, they began to look for alternatives: celluloid, which would become known as the first plastic. YouTubeScientists used mass spectrometry to determine the materials in a 1690 paintingPreviously used to map the distribution of molecules on biological tissue samples, researchers combined the technique with machine learning to uncover six layers of pigments, binders, and a thin gold leaf layer within *The Marriage of the Virgin*, from a collection in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The technique may help identify and track artists' material use to learn about pieces of unknown provenance. (Some readers may experience a paywall.) Chemical & Engineering NewsAmerican Express was the first company to offer 'gold' cards to borrowersAmerican Express began offering gold cards to affluent consumers in 1966. However, other credit card companies began offering similar, premium cards in the 1980s, which quickly became a status symbol for wealthy Americans. TIMEPlastic debris across the ocean aids the spread of invasive speciesThe durable, long-lasting material can serve as a platform for living organisms to latch onto and ride over vast distances. After the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, a large dock carrying 100 tons of living organisms native to Japan washed up on Oregon's coastline, confirming the ecological threat. VICE NewsSuper recognizers may use specific facial features to commit faces to memoryResearchers believe that recognizing individuals seen only in passing, even decades later, is an ability of genetic origin and specific to facial recognition, rather than a result of better overall memory or perception. Applying eye tracking data from super recognizers to AI has led to improvements in facial recognition software. Science WeeklyStainless steel and cast-iron pans should be used over nonstick cookwareChemicals used in the manufacturing of Teflon coatings have been linked with certain types of cancer, infertility, and other adverse health outcomes. Vintage plastic utensils should also be avoided due to the leeching of contaminants in early formulations of plastic. Chemistry For Your LifeAfter swallowing 23 pieces of plastic, seabirds experience a 90% death rateResearchers found that this threshold is also met when marine mammals ingest 29 pieces and when sea turtles consume approximately 405 pieces. Almost half of the sea turtles, a third of the seabirds, and one in ten of the marine mammals studied had eaten plastic. BBC NewsThe world goes through roughly 100 million barrels of oil per dayFrom drilling to driving, crude oil is processed in refineries and transformed into everyday products like fuel, plastics, lubricants, and cosmetics. The US currently uses about 20 million of those barrels per day. HISTORYMathematics proves turbulence's chaos creates super diffusionTurbulent flow is responsible for the rapid scattering of dandelion seeds, volcanic ash, and untied balloons. Its swirling behavior accelerates particle scattering faster than other mixing methods, as particles acquire energy from the interactions of eddies. Quanta PodcastFiberglass and epoxy resin on blades complicate the recycling of wind turbinesBetween 85 and 95% of a turbine's materials—except for the blades—can be recycled. Blades have been left in landfills when not repurposed into playgrounds and sheds, but new processes may allow them to be made into pellets for injection plastics and concrete. BBC NewsHenry Ford built a plastic car from soybeans in 1941To pursue his goal of marrying industry with agriculture, among other reasons, the automobile giant oversaw the design and creation of a vehicle with 12 panels made from plastic. At 2,000 pounds, the car was much lighter than all-steel ones, but production stopped during World War II. The Henry FordEach 42-gallon barrel of crude oil produces about 45 gallons of refined productsGasoline accounts for nearly 45% of refined volume, followed by diesel (25%) and jet fuel (9%). Hydrocarbon gas liquids (4%) are further refined and processed to create fuel for heating, synthetic plastics, and rubber. Breakthrough BiofuelPlastic's history began with an inventor seeking a $10,000 prize offerIn 1869, the first synthetic polymer—celluloid—was created as a substitute for ivory in billiard balls. It became the historical catalyst for the eventual manufacturing of plastics everywhere as an alternative to the depletion of other natural resources, including tortoiseshell and horns. Science History InstituteJapanese scientists develop an eco-friendly plastic that dissolves in saltwaterThe strong and flexible plastic is made from molecules held together by saltwater-sensitive chemical bonds. The components left after the plastic breaks down within hours contain phosphorus and nitrogen, allowing them to serve as soil fertilizer. ZME SciencePlastivores are plastic-eating microbes that may provide a solution to plastic wasteIdeonella sakaiensis, a bacterium found in recycling plant sludge in 2016, was the first organism seen to possess enzymes that could break down PET, a type of plastic. Researchers continue to search and try to bioengineer microbes that can digest other plastic types. TED-EdA UN-led treaty may establish rules to phase out plastic globallyWith support from more than 175 nations, a treaty led by the United Nations is being negotiated to establish enforceable global rules for plastic production and pollution by 2025. Negotiations come as the total amount of plastic in the ocean has increased by 50% from 2017 to 2022. World Wildlife FundMore than 130 nations have enacted bans or restrictions on plastic itemsSeveral US states have enacted similar restrictions on plastic bags, straws, food containers, and other single-use plastics, while others have prohibited plastic bans. Despite this, California’s plastic bag ban cut usage by more than 70%, showing the potential of these policies. SolinatraArteries with microplastic deposits linked to higher risk of cardiovascular eventsResearch shows that microplastics and nanoplastics can accumulate in major arteries, and patients with these deposits are significantly more likely to suffer heart attacks, strokes, or death. These deposits are possible due to these particles' ability to cross blood barriers. New York-PresbyterianPlastic production starts with crude oil and ends with molded products via pelletsPolyethylene and other plastics are formed by combining ethylene and propylene, which are produced through refining crude oil. These plastics are formed into pellets called nurdles, which are melted and molded to manufacture countless products. FactoraSynaptic plasticity allows neurons to communicate effectively and form memoriesFirst proposed in 1949, synaptic plasticity allows the brain to adjust communication strength between neurons. This ability to change synaptic strength—either briefly or over long periods—is essential for learning and memory, with long-term synaptic plasticity forming the basis of how memories are stored. University of QueenslandAndy Warhol’s 'Exploding Plastic Inevitable' shows were multimedia performance artIf you wandered into one of Andy Warhol’s "Exploding Plastic Inevitable" events in the 1960s, you might have encountered a Velvet Underground performance, go-go dancers, strobe lights, guerrilla filmmakers asking very personal questions, and mimes. Warhol was on the cutting edge of many art forms, and performance art was no exception. The Andy Warhol MuseumThe amount of plastic chemicals in 300 everyday Bay Area foodsFood production is more complicated than it appears, and manufacturing, packaging, and shipping processes can add significant substances to your food. This massive project compiled data on 300 samples of foods delivered to the San Francisco area, testing for the presence of 18 different kind of plastic. Learn how to read the data here with its helpful guides and then explore the table yourself. PlasticListWhat percentage of the world’s plastic waste actually gets recycled?Despite growing awareness of the world’s plastic waste challenges, the numbers showing how much of the world’s plastic waste actually gets recycled are abysmal. Only 9% of the world’s plastic waste is properly recycled, and a significant portion remains landfilled, mismanaged, or incinerated. Read this article for further analysis of why this is and what can be done in the future to better manage plastic waste. Visual CapitalistThe global plastic crisis in imagesFor decades we have relied on plastics to keep us safe, insulate our homes, and make sure our food stays fresh. But when does plastic’s life come to an end? United NationsMapping plastic waste hotspots around the worldThis map shows the modeled plastic concentration based on measurements from 24 expeditions, with darker colors indicating more floating plastic debris. WWF DeutschlandThe percentage of plastic waste mismanaged by each global regionData, research, outlooks and country reviews on environment including biodiversity, water, resource and waste management, climate change, global warming and consumption. OECDWhere the US’s plastic recycling is discardedThe US ships over a million tons of plastic waste overseas each year. A short video explainer from USA Today shows a breakdown of what really happens to America's recyclables. YouTubeHow chemical recycling could create 'infinite' plasticThe way we normally recycle plastics is a downward spiral of waste and degraded materials, but there is another option—turning plastic back into the oil it was made from. BBCHow plastic manufacturing could be sustainable againFrom polymers to nurdles, learn how plastic is created and what we can do to slow the lasting repercussions this material will have on both our planet and our lives. National Geographic SocietyUsing AI to track plastic pollution in real timeExplore Global Plastic Watch, the first-ever, near-real-time, high-resolution map of plastic pollution. Global Plastic Watch uses advanced satellite data technology and machine learning to measure piles of plastic waste from space. Global Plastic WatchVisualizing the enormity of plastic waste compared to global landmarksThe team at Reuters Graphics visualizes the world’s addiction to plastic bottles. Around the world, almost 1 million plastic bottles are purchased every minute. The illustrations included in this visual explainer show what that pile of plastic would look like if it was collected over longer periods of time and how large the piles would be compared to famous landmarks. ReutersExplore the 'United States of Plastic' seriesDig deeper about America's plastic use, waste, and more through a collection of stories from The Guardian. The GuardianA step-by-step guide to the plastic recycling processEverything you wanted to know about how plastic is recycled, the companies that collect and recycle plastic, where you can recycle, and much more. British Plastics FederationCountries tried to curb plastic waste, but the US keeps shipping moreData show that American exporters continue to ship plastic waste overseas, often to poorer countries, even though most of the world has agreed to not accept it. The New York TimesA guide to single-use plastic bans across the USOver 100 cities and municipalities in the US have banned Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) in government facilities including New York City, Los Angeles, Seattle, San Diego and Miami Beach, Florida. Here, maps illustrate what US states have bans in place. Footprint FoundationThe recycling failures that the plastic industry is hidingIf the plastics industry is following the tobacco industry’s playbook, it may never admit to the failure of plastics recycling. The AtlanticWhere does your plastic go? A global investigation reveals America's plastic secretA Guardian report from 11 countries tracks how US waste makes its way across the world – and overwhelms the poorest nations. The GuardianTrack where your plastic trash will be in 20 yearsThis map illustrates the fate of floating plastic 20 years from now. Simply add a location of choice and see the journey unfold. The Ocean CleanupCharting the origins of plastic's global conquestA deep dive on the history of cheap plastic and how it has unleashed a flood of consumer goods. Scientific American
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