The (potential) silent killer: Microplastics

Plastic pollution is a somewhat recent topic that has entered the media regarding its effect on marine life. Many have joined the campaign on banning plastic straws and plastic bags, and for good reason. It is estimated that 18 tons of plastic per minute flow into our world ocean (Bernard, 2018, November 20). These plastics can enter or be broken down to microplastics, which is defined as being less than 5 mm in diameter (Gallo et al., 2018).

Researchers have found that marine life ingest these microplastics and can have some serious physiological effects due to the toxic chemicals in plastics (Gallo et al., 2018). These chemicals can throw off the chemical balances in hormones within the specific organism which could result in lower birth rates, decreased thyroid function, and/or a low metabolism (Gallo et al., 2018).

Now, what is the relation to humans? Microplastics have entered our food web! They have been found in commercial seafoods such as oysters, fish, and shellfish (Li, 2018). More research is needed to be done to see the effects microplastics have on human health, but it is known throughout the community that "there cannot be no effect" (Consumer Reports, 2019). It is believed that ingesting microplastics could play a role in organ damage and/or developmental delays in children (Consumer Reports, 2019). So keep banning those plastic straws.

Bernard, S. (2018, November 20). Event speaker on plastic pollution in world ocean. Mahidol University International College, Salaya, Thailand.

Consumer Reports. (2019, October). You're literally eating microplastics. How you can cut down exposure to them. The Washington Post. 

Gallo, F., et al. (2018). Marine litter plastics and microplastics and their toxic chemicals components: the need for urgent preventive measures. Environmental 

Sciences Europe 30(1), 13. Doi: 10.1186/s12302-018-0139-z

Li, W. C. (2018). The Occurrence, Fate, and Effects of Microplastics in the Marine Environment. Microplastic Contamination in Aquatic Environments, 133-173. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-813747-5.00005-9