Los microplásticos son piezas muy pequeñas de material plástico que contaminan el medioambiete.
Aun
no exite una forma de determinar de que temamaño puede considerárseles microplásticos, la
Administración Nacional Oceánica y Atmosférica (NOAA) utiliza el parámetro de menos de cinco
milímetros de diámetro para clasificarlos.
Los microplásticos provienen de una gran variedad de fuentes, como neumáticos, productos
cosméticos o de limpieza, ropa, deshechos plásticos de uso cotidiano, procesos industriales... Se
estima que entre el 2% y el 5% de todos los plásticos fabricados termina en los océanos. Algunos de
ellos lo hacen en forma de microplásticos.
Debido a su procedencia, se pueden dividir en dos categorías:
Microplásticos primarios:
Son las partículas lanzadas directamente al medio ambiente. Una fuente muy importante es el lavado
de la ropa sintética, que origina el 35% de estos microplásticos. Otra, es el roce con el asfalto de los
reumáticos, que representa el 28%.
Se estima que representan entre el 15% y el 31% de los microplásticos presentes en los océanos.
Microplásticos secundarios:
Se originan a partir de la degradación de grandes objetos de plástico, como bolsas, botellas o redes de
pesca. Representan entre el 69% y el 81% de microplásticos que se encuentran en los o
Plastic is the most prevalent type of marine debris found in our ocean and Great Lakes. Plastic debris can
come in all shapes and sizes, but those that are less than five millimeters in length (or about the size of a
sesame seed) are called “microplastics.”
Microplastics, as the name implies, are tiny plastic particles. Officially, they are defined as plastics less
than five millimeters (0.2 inches) in diameter—smaller in diameter than the standard pearl used in
jewelry. There are two categories of microplastics: primary and secondary.
Primary microplastics are tiny particles designed for commercial use, such as cosmetics, as well as
microfibers shed from clothing and other textiles, such as fishing nets. Secondary microplastics are
particles that result from the breakdown of larger plastic items, such as water bottles. This breakdown is
caused by exposure to environmental factors, mainly the sun’s radiation and ocean waves.
Microplastics in the food
What are microplastics?
Microplastics are tiny particles that pollute the enviroment. They are defined as plastics less than five
millimeters in diameter acording to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Microplastics come from a wide variety of sources, such as tires, cosmetic or cleaning products, clothing,
everyday plastic waste, industrial processes. It is estimated that between 2% and 5% of all manufactured
plastic ends up in the oceans.
There are two categories of microplastics: primary and secondary.
Primary microplastics are tiny particles designed for commercial use, such as cosmetics, as well
as microfibers shed from clothing and other textiles, such as fishing nets.
Secondary microplastics are particles that result from the breakdown of larger plastic items,
such as water bottles. This breakdown is caused by exposure to environmental factors, mainly
the sun’s radiation and ocean waves.
The Problem
The problem with microplastics is that—like plastic items of any size—they do not readily break down
into harmless molecules. Plastics can take hundreds or thousands of years to decompose—and in the
meantime, cause damage to the environment.
On beaches, microplastics are visible as tiny multicolored plastic bits in sand. In the oceans, microplastic
pollution is often consumed by marine animals.
Microplastics have been detected in marine organisms from plankton to whales, in commercial seafood,
and even in drinking water. Alarmingly, standard water treatment facilities cannot remove all traces of
microplastics. To further complicate matters, microplastics in the ocean can combine with other harmful
chemicals before being ingested by marine organisms.
Scientists are still unsure whether consumed microplastics are harmful to human or animal health—and
if so, what specific dangers they may pose. Even so, many countries are taking action to reduce
microplastics in the environment.
Why do we produce so much plastic?
The main reason it's his low production cost added to his facility of being produced with a lot of shapes.
Other reason is the durability because the chemical bonds that make-up plastic are strong and made to
last. The decomposition rate of plastic can vary depending on the type, however, this typically ranges
from 50 to 600 years.
SOLUTIONS
Reduction of plastic production trying to impose the global need for an agreement to reduce the
production of this material.
Promotion of recycling and reuse. Along with the decrease in its use, plastic recycling and reuse
are part of the urgent measures to be taken to limit the amount of plastic consumed.
Ban on single-use plastics. Disposable elements such as packaging, bags, microspheres, cutlery,
glasses, straws, cotton swabs, etc. they should eventually be replaced by materials that are less
harmful to the environment.
CONCLUSION
The scientific evidence on potential exposures and health risks of microplastics in the food supply is still
evolving. However, available scientific studies and reports suggest that:
Human exposure to microplastics from eating fish is likely to be despicable. This is because the
microplastics are found in the gills, liver and intestines of the fish, which are organs that are not
typically eaten.
keeping in mind this information, our current view is that plastic contamination of the food chain is
unlikely to result in immediate health risks to consumers.
But on the other hand, microplastics are very risky for animals and the environment.
Verde Andres
Gris Juan
Amarillo Leo