From Microplastics to Macrosickness: The Risks of Pollution in Our Trash
Our trash is more than just an eyesore – it can also pose serious health risks to our environment. From microplastics to other pollutants, the contents of our garbage can have far-reaching consequences. In this blog, we will explore the dangers of pollution in our trash and how it can lead to "macrosickness" – the negative impacts on our health and the environment. Understanding these risks can reduce our impact and create a healthier and more sustainable future.
What is microplastic?
Microplastics are small pieces of plastic that are less than 5 millimeters long. Depending on what they are made of, these are called primary microplastics or secondary microplastics.
The ones made to be that small are called "primary microplastics. These tiny pieces of plastic, like toothpaste, soaps, detergents, and clothes, are used daily. On the other hand, secondary microplastics are made when more significant pieces break down into smaller pieces. These are also much more common.
In the past few years, many studies and environmental groups have warned about how dangerous these tiny particles are to our ecosystem and health. Findings from these studies developed the concept of biodegradable plastic.
How is microplastic liable for pollution?
Pollution caused by extraction & emissions
The production of plastics generates enormous amounts of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The plastic industry accounts for about 6 percent of global oil consumption and is expected to reach 20 percent by 2050. Plastics originate from fossil fuels, and extracted distilled oil causes pollution.
Pollution caused by dumping on nature
Only 9 percent of plastic is recycled globally. The question is where the remaining goes. The remaining is dumped into nature. South Asia discards more than 26 million tons of plastic every day, and it is the region that openly leaves a massive amount of plastic that is almost 75%.
Pollution caused by emitting methane and ethylene
Discarded microplastic generates GHG emissions in water and air when we do not recycle or dispose of it. From south Asia, about 18 million plastics are mismanaged and thrown into the sea. When these bulk amounts of plastic or microplastic are flashed by sunlight, they emit methane and ethylene, which is very harmful to the environment and causes the death of wildlife.
Pollution caused by recycling and non-closing of the loop
Recycling reduces the effect and effect of plastic pollution on the environment. Unfortunately, only 5 percent of the total waste generated is recycled. If we can apply the AIR(Avoid, Intercept, Redesign), it is possible to reduce emissions.
Pollution caused by marine plastic.
Plastic waste is poured into the ocean at one garbage truck per minute. It's more than just ugly. Microplastics produced as marine plastic pollution degrades cause climate change directly through GHG emissions and indirectly through adverse effects on marine life. However, after ingesting microplastics, plankton's capacity to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere declines. Plankton sequesters 30–50% of carbon dioxide emissions from anthropogenic activities.
Pollution caused by Open burning
In South Asia and other underdeveloped nations, open burning is a typical method of trash treatment. The combined amount of rubbish in India and Nepal accounts for 8.4% of the world's total waste burning. Black carbon, a hazardous air pollutant produced when waste is burned in open flames, is to blame for half of the visibility among cities like New Delhi. Black carbon has the potential to warm the planet up to 5,000 times more than carbon dioxide (CO2).
What are the consequences?
Impact of microplastic on health
Based on a recent study published in Environmental Science and Technology, the average person breathes and absorbs roughly 50,000 microplastic particles annually. It is unknown whether breathing in microplastics will affect humans. However, according to specialists, the most dangerous component of microplastics is that they can introduce additional airborne toxins into our lungs and bloodstream. These microplastic particles, along with cancer, can all be harmed by the immune, neurological, and cardiovascular systems.
Impact on nature
Microplastic pollution could prohibit stream ecosystem functioning. Microplastic mixed with ocean water end up in the species' stomachs, causing malnourishment and death. Microplastics cause landfills and reduce the fertility of the soil. Nano plastics, which are even smaller plastic particles than microplastics, have been demonstrated in a study by Lund University in Sweden. Proved that it can cause death to fish.
We have to transform how plastics are produced, used, and recycled. We can't solve the problem of plastic pollution by just recycling or cutting back. If we don't do anything now, by 2050, there could be more plastic than fish in the oceans.
Let's rethink, refuse, reduce, reuse, repair, and recycle for a sustainable environment and save a life from trash killing.