We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastics and nanoplastics; a new plague; from here to antarctica!
Summary
This short review introduces microplastics and nanoplastics to a general audience, explaining their sources, sizes, and global distribution including in Antarctica. Tire wear particles are highlighted as a major but often overlooked source of microplastic pollution in waterways. The paper emphasizes that microplastic pollution is now a worldwide problem with no pristine environments remaining.
Tires are the most common type of waste in oceans and lakes. Residues of these materials can be available in any size or shape, but particles smaller than 5 mm (the size of a sesame seed) are called microplastics. In fact, these materials can have a size of about 5 mm to 1 micrometer. Particles smaller than 1 micrometer to 100 nanometers are called subsets of these materials and are known as nanoplastics. Studies show that most plastic particle components come in different sizes in the micrometer range. When we think of the devastating effects of plastic pollution, we usually think of turtles trapped in disposable plastic bags or piles of plastic bottles in landfills; For most of us, this is an environmental problem. But there is also evidence that plastic waste can also be a health problem. The problem is that plastic breaks down into tiny particles called microplastics that are 5 millimeters (the size of a lentil) or less in length.