What are microplastics?

 

Microplastics are small pieces of plastic that are less than five millimetres in size. Although on a smaller scale, their composition is the same as that of larger plastics and they are a very resistant organic material, composed mainly of long polymer chains, mainly of carbon. 

 

 

Do all plastics become microplastics?

 

This type of plastic can arise from a large plastic, both through physical degradation (wave machining, temperature effect, UV radiation, etc.) and chemical degradation (oxidation, hydrolysis, etc.). In other words, plastics that are subjected to these conditions will become microplastics or reduced plastic particles or other smaller fibres. 

 

 

Are there several types of microplastics and can they be categorised in any way? 

 

All plastics smaller than 5 millimetres are considered microplastics and can be classified according to their composition. 

 

They can also be divided into primary and secondary. Primary microplastics are those that are manufactured to a microscopic size. 

 

Secondary microplastics are those larger plastic products that, once manufactured and exposed to external conditions such as solar radiation (UV), among others, will cause their degradation. 

 

 

 

How do microplastics enter the food chain?

 

Marine species confuse their food with microplastics, which affects their reproduction and their stomach. When we consume fish, the microplastics reach the human being. 

 

 

Do we only eat fish when we consume them?

 

No. In addition to fish for human consumption, microplastics have been detected in commercial table salt and some studies assure that 90% of bottled water and 83% of tap water contains plastic particles.

 

 

Is there any estimate of how many microplastics humans consume?

 

The team led by biologist Kieran Cox, from the University of Victoria, evaluated in a study entitled "Human Consumption of Microplastics" that the annual intake of particles through drinking water is approximately 64,000 for girls, 75,000 for boys, 93,000 for women and 127,000 for men.

 

 

How do they affect our health?

 

The consequences for us are not yet known. And according to the UN, more research is needed. 

 

 

Are there any measures to reduce their presence?

 

Measures have already been taken in some countries to reduce the consumption of plastics, but the most important measure and the one that has affected us consumers the most is the case of plastic bags. To reduce their use, in 2015 the European Union declared by law that every bag should be paid for. 

 

Today, in many cases these bags have been replaced by biodegradable materials. However, even if recycling is necessary, it is not enough, because if plastic production is not reduced, no target will be reached. 

 

In Bilbao there is Sinplastico.es, a company that offers everyday objects that are not made of plastic, but of other ecological materials. 435

 

 

What should governments do about this problem?

 

Governments should create a law mandating more circular production of plastic, reusing and recycling this material. 

 

 

What solutions is the European Union working on? 

 

In September, MEPs adopted a strategy to improve the management of plastic in the EU, proposing that by 2030 all plastic packaging should be recyclable.

 

In addition, they called on the Commission to introduce a Europe-wide ban to eliminate the aggregation of microplastics intentionally in products such as cosmetics and detergents by 2020. The Parliament also demanded that measures be taken to minimise the release of microplastics from textiles, tyres, paints and cigarette butts.

 

 

What is the current situation?

 

The current situation is that plastic production is growing by 5% every year. It is therefore estimated that in 2020 it will exceed 500 million tonnes, which would mean an increase of 900% in plastics compared to 1980. On the other hand, about 13 million tons of plastic are dumped into the oceans every year, affecting biodiversity, the economy and potentially our health. On the other hand, of the 6 billion tons of plastics that become waste, only 9% is recycled, 12% is incinerated and 79% ends up in landfills or thrown into the environment. 

 

 

 

What can we do as consumers, what is our role?

 

 

Most of the plastic produced is for single use only, so it is important to reduce its consumption: use permanent bags in our daily lives, take food to go in reusable tapestries, try not to buy food packed with plastic, recycle correctly in our houses, etc. It is also important to reduce the use of non-recyclable plastics. 

 

 

 

Do you see a need for greater dissemination of the problem in the university?

 

 

Of course. it is one of the problems affecting the Earth and even ourselves, since we are the cause of it. As they recalled a few days ago in a talk at the UPV/EHU, today more and more infant and primary school students are not carrying their sandwiches wrapped in aluminium foil and are not carrying plastic bottles either, but without knowing why. This is why we must be aware of the problem from an early age and instil the serious problems the Earth is suffering, so that in the future it will be possible to improve the extreme conditions we are experiencing today.