Simple health
Sharing is caring, perhaps the first thing we were taught as a kid. What about when you have to share space with microplastics in the womb even before you were born? The safest place on earth does not sound safe anymore, right? It is a tale of silent invaders and the long-term consequences of sharing our meals with these unseen guests.
Let’s break it down. Microplastics are particles less than 5 mm in size and they need not be fragmented from larger pieces of plastic. Interestingly, they are produced in such dimensions for commercial purposes also. According to the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) report, the canned sea-products, your go-to salt shaker, the beer you crack open after a long day, honey that sweetens your life, and even sugar – all have their fair share of these tiny troublemakers. To add to the list, even your bottled drinks, that fancy water from the grocery store, and the luxury/organic cosmetic brands aren’t safe. It is not just about a single meal; it is about the risks associated with an ongoing binge of microplastic exposure from multiple sources.
Not just the toys for kids, most of the seabeds in the world are made up of plastics, the Mediterranean Sea in particular. What is troubling here is on the one hand water levels are rising due to climate change with seabeds made of plastics and on the other hand we are producing 320 million tons of plastic every year. We might be closer to the “Wall-E” (Academy-Award-winning animated movie) era than we think. And then there is the degradation of plastic which further worsens the situation. Atmospheric agents such as UV and photooxidation reactions in combination with bacteria degrade the plastic fragments into micro and nano-sized particles. These sneaky intruders are not just slow but harmful while being slow!
In a study published in Environmental International, researchers found tiny bits of colorful particles known as pigmented microplastics in the placenta (the means of communication between mom and fetus). Turns out, the pigments found are not only used in plastic stuff but also come from various cosmetic products and paints. For example, Iron hydroxide is used in BB creams and foundations, Ultramarine blue is found in formulations of soap, lipstick, mascara, eye shadow, and polypropylene in finger paints. Now, it is not clear how these tiny travelers are reaching the bloodstream but evidence suggests either the respiratory system or the gastrointestinal tract. Another study published in Frontier in Marine Science says microbeads are present in personal care and cosmetic products such as cleansing or exfoliating agents are another source of aquatic microplastic pollution. So, next time when making a purchase beware of the simplifying principle- a stereotype that all organic and natural equals good.
Finally, what can we do? Imbibe sustainable practices and products in our lives and not in the way corporates do to fulfill their CSR activities mandate but with a simple act. By reducing our plastic consumption, embracing recycling as a ritual, and championing the cause of sustainable products. Then support organizations that are fighting the fight, pursuing governments to script regulations that echo through the corridors of production, import/export, and disposal of plastic. Julie Andersen, the CEO and Founder of Plastic Oceans International is doing this exact work.
Lastly, Netflix and chill! Watch “A Plastic Ocean”, an award-winning adventure documentary that beautifully depicts how plastics, after entering the oceans, break up into small particulates that enter the food chain attracting toxins like a magnet.
grewal 