Microplastics destroys gut.

[particleandfibretoxicology.biomedcentral.com]

1950 = 0.5 million metric tons released
2018 = 360 million metric tons released

The estimated maximum annual uptake by human adults is 458,000 microplastic particles for tap water and 3,569,000 microplastic particles for bottled water [32].

Microplastic contamination has also been detected in sea salt originating from various countries worldwide [34, 46,47,48,49],

Based on these results and an average production of 128 g of feces per day per person, the researchers estimate that the annual discharge of microplastic particles in the feces (reflecting at least in part the equivalent human body exposure) was over 90,000 [39].

Individual human exposure by inhalation has been estimated at 26 to 130 airborne microplastic particles a day [14].


Many studies of various species have shown that ingested microplastics accumulate in the gut of various species [58,59,60,61].

This may lead to inflammation of the gut and local effects on the immune system. The smaller particles (greatest dimension < 150 ?m) can cross the mucus barrier.

The small size of nanoplastics allows them to penetrate deeply into organs. Data from animal studies have shown that once absorbed, nanoplastics can distribute to the liver, spleen, heart, lungs, thymus, reproductive organs, kidney, and even the brain (i.e. they cross the blood–brain barrier [69]) [63].


Microplastics cause damage to human cells.

[www.theguardian.com]

Microplastics pollution has contaminated the entire planet.

The research also showed irregularly shaped microplastics caused more cell death than spherical ones. This is important for future studies as many microplastics bought for use in laboratory experiments are spherical, and therefore may not be representative of the particles humans ingest.

In March, a study showed tiny plastic particles in the lungs of pregnant rats pass rapidly into the hearts, brains and other organs of their foetuses.
In December, microplastics were revealed in the placentas of unborn babies, which the researchers said was “a matter of great concern”. In October, scientists showed that babies fed formula milk in plastic bottles were swallowing millions of particles a day.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/12/2021 12:43AM by Panchito.

Yes, microplastics are a terrible blight that's killing us and the planet.

I was just thinking about microplastics from synthetic fibers the other day. I hate synthetic clothing, bedding, etc.

[tinyurl.com]

Can you imagine if plastic and man-made chemicals had never been invented.