Have you ever thought about how much plastic you use in a day? From the lunch box that wraps your food in the morning, to the water bottle you drink at noon, to the yogurt cup you eat in the evening, to the silly bag you carry your groceries in when you go to the store... Plastic is everywhere in our lives. We have become so used to it that we can't live without it. But did you know that the plastic we use and throw away breaks down into small pieces and eventually ends up inside our bodies? That's the dangerous, invisible enemy we're going to talk about today.
What are these microplastics?
Simply put, microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic smaller than five millimeters. Think about it, they can be smaller than a grain of sand. These come in two forms.
1. Micronized during manufacturing: These tiny plastic particles are added directly to some products. For example, they can be found in the tiny beads found in some facial scrubs and some toothpastes.
2. Large plastic fragments: This is the main and most common method. The plastic bottles , shopping bags, lunch boxes, and other items we use and throw away are exposed to the sun and rain, and over time, they gradually decompose and break into smaller pieces. These become even smaller and eventually become dust-like.
Microplastic particles that form in this way are in the water we drink, the soil we grow in, the air we breathe, and even the food we eat . Can you imagine? Research has found that the average person unknowingly eats the equivalent of a credit card worth of plastic per week. This is truly frightening.
What happens when these enter our bodies?
To be honest, it's still too early to say exactly how much of an impact these microplastics have on the human body. Because there are so many different types of plastic, their chemical makeup varies, and the amount of exposure each person is exposed to varies. However, scientists believe they can affect us in three main ways.
| How the impact occurs | Simply put... |
|---|---|
| Physically | When we swallow this piece of plastic, it's something foreign to our bodies. It's like getting dust in our eyes. While larger pieces are usually passed out in our stool, there's a chance that very small particles can become lodged in our organs or be absorbed. |
| Chemically | Various chemicals are used to produce plastic. When these tiny plastic particles enter our bodies, those harmful chemicals can leach into our bodies, damaging our cells and causing poisoning. |
| As a carrier for microorganisms | These plastic pieces easily harbor dangerous bacteria and viruses that cause disease. When we swallow these plastic pieces, those germs go straight into our bodies. This can cause various infections. |
But don't worry about this. Most of the time, large pieces of plastic end up in our food . But it's these tiny particles that we all need to be concerned about.
So how can we reduce the use of these microplastics?
It's hard to even think about a life without plastic. But we don't have to stop everything all at once. Even the small changes we make can have a big impact. The most important thing is to start where you can.
Here are some simple methods you can try:
- Reduce single-use plastics: This is the biggest and most important thing you can do. Reduce your use of things like lunch boxes, plastic bags, plastic straws, plastic cups, and take-away food boxes as much as possible. Bring a cloth bag when you go to the store, keep your own water bottle with you, and get into the habit of drinking without a straw.
- Take care of your clothes: Many of the clothes we wear, especially sportswear and some shirts, are made from synthetic fibers like polyester. When these clothes are washed, millions of tiny plastic fibers are added to the water. To solve this, wash your clothes by hand if possible. Or wash them in the washing machine on a lower setting. Choosing clothes made from natural fabrics like cotton is also a great solution.
- Avoid products with microbeads: Look at the ingredients list of your toothpaste, facial scrub, and other products. If they say "microbeads" or "polyethylene," it means they contain these tiny plastic beads. These even make their way through water treatment systems and end up in our rivers and oceans. So, choose products that don't contain these things.
- Use public transportation: Whenever possible, get into the habit of taking the bus or train. When the tires of vehicles like cars and motorcycles wear out, that rubber dust, like microplastics , accumulates in the environment and pollutes the air.
It may be difficult to do all of this at once, but start with one thing. Every small change you make will go a long way for your health and the environment.
Take-Home Message
- Microplastics are plastic particles that are too small for our eyes to see. They can enter our bodies through the food we eat and drink and the air we breathe.
- Research into the health effects of these is still ongoing, and there is a potential for chemical poisoning and the spread of germs.
- Reducing the use of disposable lunch boxes, disposable bags, plastic bottles, and straws can make a big impact.
- You can prevent microplastics from entering the environment by being careful about the types of clothing and beauty products (toothpaste, face wash) you use.
- If you have any doubts or concerns regarding your health, be sure to see your doctor and seek proper medical advice.
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