In 2018, two scientists used a remote weather station in the Pyrenees mountains, more than 100km from the nearest town, to measure how much plastic falls from the sky. Over five months, they recorded an average of 356 plastic particles per square metre, per day, mostly fragments of polystyrene and polyethylene.
Microplastics come at us from almost everywhere, from broken-down plastic packaging and consumer goods, from synthetic clothing and carpets, from car tyres wearing down on roads. They’re released from petroleum-based paints and coatings, landfills, construction sites, and manufacturing processes. In South Africa, microbeads are still found in some toiletries, though they have been banned in other countries.
To make matters worse, plastic can act like a sponge, absorbing other harmful substances. These hitchhiking pollutants may be released into the body when the plastic is swallowed or inhaled.
Microplastics have been found throughout the food chain from soil to plants, animals, and people. They’re inside our bodies, yet we still don’t fully understand what long-term impact they may have on our health.
We urgently need research to understand the health and environmental impacts of plastic, safer plastics and alternatives to plastics. We need stronger regulation to reduce plastic production and limit the use of toxic additives. We need clear labelling to protect consumers. And we need safe and effective systems to manage plastic waste and prevent further contamination.
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