Microplastics facts for kids
Microplastics are very tiny pieces of plastic, usually smaller than a grain of rice (less than 5 millimeters). They are created when larger plastic items break down or are made to be small on purpose. These particles do not dissolve in water and can be found almost everywhere on Earth, from the deepest oceans to the highest mountains.
Because they are so small and don't break down easily, microplastics cause pollution. They get into the air, water, and soil. Animals often mistake them for food, which can cause harm. Scientists are studying how these tiny plastics affect the environment and our health.
About 35% of the microplastics in the ocean come from washing clothes made of synthetic materials like polyester and nylon. Other major sources include car tires wearing down on roads and the breakdown of plastic bags, bottles, and packaging.
What Are the Types of Microplastics?
Scientists sort microplastics into two main types based on where they come from. The term "microplastics" was first used in 2004 by a marine biologist named Professor Richard Thompson.
Primary Microplastics
Primary microplastics are tiny plastics that are made to be small from the start. They are not pieces of a larger object that broke apart.
A common example is microbeads, which are tiny plastic balls that were used in some face washes and toothpastes to help scrub the skin. Many countries have now banned these. Other examples include plastic glitter and the small plastic pellets, called nurdles, that factories use to make larger plastic products.
Secondary Microplastics
Secondary microplastics are created when larger plastic items break down in the environment. Sunlight, wind, and ocean waves cause plastic trash to become brittle and crumble into smaller and smaller pieces.
This can happen to almost any plastic item, including:
- Plastic bottles and caps
- Plastic bags
- Fishing nets
- Food containers
- Toys
Even the fibers from our clothes and the rubber from car tires create secondary microplastics as they wear out.
Nanoplastics: Even Tinier Particles
When microplastics continue to break down, they can become nanoplastics. These particles are so small (less than 1 micrometer) that they are invisible to the human eye and can only be seen with powerful microscopes. Because they are so tiny, nanoplastics can pass through an animal's body into its cells, and scientists are studying what effects this might have.
Where Do Microplastics Come From?
Microplastics come from many parts of our daily lives. It is estimated that there are between 15 and 51 trillion pieces of microplastic in the world's oceans.
Clothing and Textiles
Many clothes are made from synthetic (man-made) fibers like polyester, nylon, and acrylic. When these clothes are washed, they shed thousands of tiny plastic fibers. A single load of laundry can release over 700,000 microfibers.
These fibers are too small to be caught by the filters in washing machines or at most water treatment plants, so they end up in rivers and oceans. Fleece jackets are known to release a very high number of fibers.
Containers and Packaging
Plastic containers for food and drinks are a major source of microplastics.
- Bottled Water: Studies have found that most bottled water contains microplastic particles. The plastic likely comes from the bottle and cap itself, as well as from the bottling process.
- Baby Bottles: Research has shown that plastic baby bottles, especially when shaken with warm formula, can release millions of microplastic particles.
- Single-Use Cups: Paper coffee cups are often lined with a thin layer of plastic to keep them from getting soggy. When hot liquid is poured in, this lining can release trillions of tiny plastic particles into the drink.
Cosmetics and Personal Care
In the past, many personal care products like face scrubs and soaps contained plastic microbeads as exfoliants. After being used, these beads would wash down the drain and into our waterways.
While many countries have banned microbeads in rinse-off products, some cosmetics still use other types of plastic, like glitter.
Tires and City Dust
Car and truck tires are made of a mix of natural and synthetic rubber. As tires wear down on the road, they release tiny particles of rubber and plastic. This "tire dust" is a huge source of microplastic pollution. It can be washed into drains by rain or blown into the air. Road markings and dust from construction sites also add to the microplastics in our cities.
How Do Microplastics Affect Our World?
Because plastics break down very slowly, often over hundreds of years, they build up in the environment. This has a big impact on wildlife and ecosystems.
Harm to Marine and Freshwater Animals
Animals often mistake small pieces of plastic for food.
- Ingestion: Fish, birds, turtles, and even tiny plankton eat microplastics. This can make them feel full when they are not, leading to starvation. The plastic can also block their digestive systems.
- Food Chain: When a small fish eats plastic, and then a bigger fish eats that small fish, the plastic moves up the food chain. This means that top predators, including animals that humans eat like tuna and swordfish, can end up with plastic in their bodies.
- Plasticosis: Scientists have discovered a new disease in seabirds called "plasticosis." It is caused by eating plastic, which irritates the digestive tract and causes scarring. This makes it harder for the birds to digest food and absorb nutrients.
- Harmful Chemicals: Harmful chemicals in the water can stick to the surface of microplastics. When an animal eats the plastic, it also eats these chemicals, which can be poisonous.
Impact on Soil and Plants
Microplastics are not just in the ocean; they are also in the soil. They can get into soil from compost, fertilizers made from sewage sludge, and plastic mulching used in farming.
Studies have shown that microplastics can harm soil ecosystems. For example, they can hurt earthworms, which are very important for keeping soil healthy. There is also evidence that some plants can absorb tiny plastic particles through their roots.
Are Microplastics Harmful to People?
Scientists have found microplastics in many things we eat and drink, including salt, sugar, bottled water, and seafood. We also breathe them in from the air. Microplastics have been found in the human body, including in our blood, lungs, and brain.
Researchers are still working to understand what this means for our health. Some studies suggest that microplastics could cause inflammation or other problems in the body. The chemicals added to plastics or those that stick to them could also be a concern. More research is needed to know the long-term effects.
How Can We Help Solve the Problem?
Reducing microplastic pollution is a big challenge, but there are things we can all do to help.
Simple Steps for Everyone
- Reduce Single-Use Plastics: The best way to reduce plastic waste is to use less of it. Choose reusable water bottles, coffee cups, and shopping bags. Avoid products with excessive plastic packaging.
- Recycle Properly: Make sure to recycle the plastic items that you can. This helps keep them from ending up in the environment where they can break down into microplastics.
- Choose Clothes Wisely: Whenever possible, choose clothes made from natural fibers like cotton, wool, or linen. When washing synthetic clothes, consider using a special filter or laundry bag designed to catch microfibers.
New Ideas and Technologies
Scientists and inventors are working on new ways to tackle the problem.
- Better Filtering: Some are developing advanced filters for washing machines and wastewater treatment plants to capture more microfibers.
- Plastic-Eating Bacteria: Researchers have found bacteria that can "eat" certain types of plastic, breaking them down. This could one day be used to help clean up pollution.
- Cleanup Devices: Organizations like The Ocean Cleanup are developing systems to collect plastic waste from rivers and oceans before it breaks down.
What Governments Are Doing
Around the world, governments are starting to take action.
- Banning Microbeads: Many countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, have banned the use of plastic microbeads in products like face washes and toothpaste.
- Reducing Single-Use Plastics: Some cities and countries have banned or placed fees on single-use plastic bags, straws, and food containers.
- Supporting Research: Governments are funding more research to understand the problem and find solutions. For example, the European Union is working on new rules to reduce microplastic pollution from tires and textiles.
Fun Facts About Microplastics
- Companies started putting microplastics called microbeads in beauty products. This was because it was cheaper than using natural ingredients.
- Recent studies found that 83% of city tap water had plastic pollution.
- Scientists tested eleven of the world’s biggest bottled water brands for microplastics. The results showed that 93% of bottled water had microplastics.
- If you drink three regular cups of tea or coffee daily in a paper cup, you could be swallowing 75,000 tiny microplastic particles. That's a good reason to use a mug!
- The U.S. and the UK make more plastic waste per person than almost any other major country.
- Each year, about 1 million tons of tiny plastic fibers are released into wastewater.
- A single fleece jacket can shed up to 250,000 microfibers during one wash.
- The average person eats about 0.176 ounces of plastic per week.
See Also
In Spanish: Microplástico para niños
- Citizen Science, which are cleanup projects people can join.
- Plastic soup
