Horrors of Plastic
So with all this new found knowledge of microplastics invading our environment... What can we do to minimize or halt this horrible new development??
1. we can make less trash somehow. dont buy stuff that comes iin plastic or styrofoam containers. Try not to at least.
2. what about saran wrap and trashbags?? do those contribute to microplastics? (Answer: yes )how in the world are we supposed to do without them? theres beeswax wraps but they are in my mind inferior to plastic film
3. we can reudce use of plastic storage bins. use cardboard boxes instead. this would be difficult though for people who need waterproof storage
4. what else can we do? i will research what kinds of plastic contribute to microplastics
PE (18%) Nylon (7%) Alkyd (2%)
PP (16%) Polyesters(6%) PTFE (1%)
PS (14%) Polyamides(4%) Rayon (1%)
PET (10%) Polyurethane (3%) Rubber (1% + 7%) Potentially from tire + from other sources
PVC (8%) Acrylic (2%)
from- https://www.sciencedirect.com/org/science/article/pii/S0973862224000138
Sources for Primary Microplastics
Primary microplastics are manufactured for specific purposes in different shapes. These MPs enter into the environment through post-use discharge or accidental spillage. The sources of various primary MPs are listed below:
Microbeads of polyethylene, polylactic acid (PLA), polypropylene, polystyrene, or polyethylene terephthalate are used as scrubbers in some cosmetic products, toothpastes, and facial cleansers as a replacement for the traditional natural products like almonds or walnut husk, microcrystalline cellulose, oatmeal, or pumice[34][85-86]. Some industrial cleaning products also contain microplastics as abrasives[20][34][87]. These microbeads pass into the aquatic ecosystem through house-hold discharge. Such products act as the direct source of microplastics. As per an estimation-from one tube of exfoliating facewash more than three hundred fifty thousand microbeads enter into the environment[88].
Plastic based Glitters
Several other major sources of secondary microplastics are listed below:
Synthetic Textile Napper and Thompson, 2016 revealed that washing of synthetic clothing, such as polyester and nylon fleece, in washing machine pushes a huge amount of microplastic fibres (upto 1900 fibres per wash) in the aquatic environment[103]. The polymer ingredients of these textile fibres are mainly polyester, polyethylene, acrylic or elastane, and polyamide[104-105].
Wearand tear of vehicle tiers and brake wear
Tire wear particles are produced by the abrasion of tires against roads[106].
Packaging material
A large portion (about 42 %;146 million tonnes) of total plastics produced globally is used by the packaging sector[3]. Yet the literature regarding packaging materials as a source of MPs in the packaged material is scanty. The occurrence of microplastics in plastic and glass bottled drinking water only has been reported. Primarily the MPs of PET and polyesters were identified in plastic bottled water[113-116]. It was inferred that the bottle material was the source of these MPs. The high abundance of MPs in glass bottled water is attributed to the abrasion of plastic caps with the glass body[117]. Current effort identified a knowledge gap here and invites the attention of scientists to carry out more exhaustive research in the subject.
Chipping of road markings and coatings
Generally, thermoplastics and epoxy are used for road markings and paintings[11]. For anticorrosive or antifouling coating on marine vessels polyurethane, epoxy and vinyl paints are used. Chipping of these paints as a result of weathering and/or abrasion by running vehicles is a substantial source of MPs.
City Dust: It includes all the sources which do not contribute much individually but together they increase significantly the environment pollution specifically in urban regions. City dust consists of the MPs produced by abrasion of footwear soles, furniture, garden accessories, utensils, building coatings, and artificial turf etc[104].
DISCUSSION
___________________________________
also we need to think about how we can contain it
1. we can make less trash somehow. dont buy stuff that comes iin plastic or styrofoam containers. Try not to at least.
2. what about saran wrap and trashbags?? do those contribute to microplastics? (Answer: yes )how in the world are we supposed to do without them? theres beeswax wraps but they are in my mind inferior to plastic film
3. we can reudce use of plastic storage bins. use cardboard boxes instead. this would be difficult though for people who need waterproof storage
4. what else can we do? i will research what kinds of plastic contribute to microplastics
PE (18%) Nylon (7%) Alkyd (2%)
PP (16%) Polyesters(6%) PTFE (1%)
PS (14%) Polyamides(4%) Rayon (1%)
PET (10%) Polyurethane (3%) Rubber (1% + 7%) Potentially from tire + from other sources
PVC (8%) Acrylic (2%)
from- https://www.sciencedirect.com/org/science/article/pii/S0973862224000138
Sources for Primary Microplastics
Primary microplastics are manufactured for specific purposes in different shapes. These MPs enter into the environment through post-use discharge or accidental spillage. The sources of various primary MPs are listed below:
Microbeads of polyethylene, polylactic acid (PLA), polypropylene, polystyrene, or polyethylene terephthalate are used as scrubbers in some cosmetic products, toothpastes, and facial cleansers as a replacement for the traditional natural products like almonds or walnut husk, microcrystalline cellulose, oatmeal, or pumice[34][85-86]. Some industrial cleaning products also contain microplastics as abrasives[20][34][87]. These microbeads pass into the aquatic ecosystem through house-hold discharge. Such products act as the direct source of microplastics. As per an estimation-from one tube of exfoliating facewash more than three hundred fifty thousand microbeads enter into the environment[88].
Plastic based Glitters
Several other major sources of secondary microplastics are listed below:
Synthetic Textile Napper and Thompson, 2016 revealed that washing of synthetic clothing, such as polyester and nylon fleece, in washing machine pushes a huge amount of microplastic fibres (upto 1900 fibres per wash) in the aquatic environment[103]. The polymer ingredients of these textile fibres are mainly polyester, polyethylene, acrylic or elastane, and polyamide[104-105].
Wearand tear of vehicle tiers and brake wear
Tire wear particles are produced by the abrasion of tires against roads[106].
Packaging material
A large portion (about 42 %;146 million tonnes) of total plastics produced globally is used by the packaging sector[3]. Yet the literature regarding packaging materials as a source of MPs in the packaged material is scanty. The occurrence of microplastics in plastic and glass bottled drinking water only has been reported. Primarily the MPs of PET and polyesters were identified in plastic bottled water[113-116]. It was inferred that the bottle material was the source of these MPs. The high abundance of MPs in glass bottled water is attributed to the abrasion of plastic caps with the glass body[117]. Current effort identified a knowledge gap here and invites the attention of scientists to carry out more exhaustive research in the subject.
Chipping of road markings and coatings
Generally, thermoplastics and epoxy are used for road markings and paintings[11]. For anticorrosive or antifouling coating on marine vessels polyurethane, epoxy and vinyl paints are used. Chipping of these paints as a result of weathering and/or abrasion by running vehicles is a substantial source of MPs.
City Dust: It includes all the sources which do not contribute much individually but together they increase significantly the environment pollution specifically in urban regions. City dust consists of the MPs produced by abrasion of footwear soles, furniture, garden accessories, utensils, building coatings, and artificial turf etc[104].
DISCUSSION
___________________________________
also we need to think about how we can contain it
