What Does Microplastic Look Like?
As its name suggests, microplastic is very small – often invisible to the human eye. However, looking through a microscope, you will see the small plastic particles in the form of shards, and find that they come in a variety of shapes, colours and sizes, though still very small. This variety in appearance is due to how microplastics are created – for use or by accident – which the microplastics and drainage experts from Lanes Group explore in the following guide.
You may not be aware that many of the products you purchase are made using microplastics, or that they shed them over time as you use them. You will not be able to see the microplastics within products that you use without a microscope, which is one of the factors that make microplastics so dangerous. Therefore, learning to identify sources of microplastics is essential if you wish to avoid contributing to the plastic pollution problem.
Read more to learn about how to identify microplastics in the products that you buy and use and what you can do to limit the spread.
Do different types of microplastics look different?
Microplastic particles can be split into two different types:
- Primary microplastics – created with the purpose of being used in manufacturing processes, such as for clothing or personal care products
- Secondary microplastics – created as larger plastic objects decay and break down into smaller fragments. These can come from discarded packaging or carrier bags
One example of microplastics is microfibers that are used to make more affordable clothing or reinforce other objects, such as climbing rope – see this article that explores the plastic waste left by climbers at Mount Everest. Another example includes tiny shards that may break away from a plastic bottle as it is reused, which can lead to the shards being consumed if the bottle is used.
Through close analysis, these different types of primary and secondary microplastics take different forms. The microbeads created intentionally for product manufacturing look different to the shards that are created in the decomposition process. This is due to their functions, which serving as an abrasive agent in exfoliating creams or to extend a product’s life. However, when that function is completed, the beads are often washed away. The best way to avoid this is to simply purchase alternative products that do not contain these small beads and accept that your product may not last as long, or find a natural alternative.
Why are microplastics in the environment?
Due to how microplastics are formed and their size, they are easy to spread, which has serious repercussions for the natural environment and our bodies. This is especially problematic due to the fact many people spread microplastics without their knowledge, due to not being able to see them.
One of the most common ways microplastics spread is through the washing of clothes that are created using synthetic textiles. As the clothes are tossed around in a washing machine, the plastic fibres come loose and enter the water stream when the washing machine drains. This, and other plastic pollution left in the sea and in waterways, has led to microplastics being found in our drinking water.
Additionally, due to the spreadability of microplastics once they are in the environment, they can be found everywhere, from inside the bodies of animals that humans breed for consumption to the bloodstreams of foetuses in the womb.
What are the effects of microplastics on the body?
It should go without saying that having shards of plastic in our system is cause for serious concern. Microplastics degrade very slowly, and most likely do not completely degrade at all, meaning that once microplastics are found in the environment and our bodies, they will stay there. While little is yet known about the longer-term repercussions of this build-up of plastic particles, over many years it is expected to have a significant impact on our health.
It is not farfetched to question whether the tiny, sharp shards of plastic could cause physical damage to our internal organs, and whether the microfibre variants could become lodged in our lungs or veins in a similar way to asbestos fibres.
One thing scientists know for certain about microplastics is that they can facilitate the breeding of dangerous bacteria which, if allowed to grow in the body, could cause illness and spread disease.
For more information on the possible effects of microplastics on the human body, read our guide here.
How can we avoid microplastics if we can’t see them?
One of the best ways to avoid spreading microplastics is to identify the possible contaminants in your life and limit your use of them. Single-use plastics are a common cause of secondary microplastic pollution, many cosmetic products are made with plastic pellets, and cheap clothes from fast fashion brands are often made with synthetic textiles to save on production costs. You may not be able to see the microplastics themselves, but by checking the labels and contents information of the items you buy, you can identify which may contribute to plastic pollution and avoid them.
Lanes Group has also been petitioning the government to implement legislation that requires washing machine manufacturers to install microplastic filters on new machines, and retrofit filters on old ones. However, until this is something that the UK government takes into consideration, you can purchase your own filter. Some of these can be fitted into your existing washing machines, while you can also purchase special bags to wash your clothes in that serve a similar function, catching the released plastic debris and stopping it from entering the waterstream.
The research on microplastics in the environment is still developing, but as we find more ways to reduce the scale of the problem, we will work to help businesses and individuals reduce their contribution to microplastics pollution.