Where does it come from?
Microplastics come from a wide variety of sources, such as tires, cosmetic or cleaning products, clothing, plastic waste from everyday use, industrial processes ... It is estimated that between 2% and 5% of all plastics manufactured ends up in the oceans. Some of them do it in the form of microplastics.
How do they affect human beings?
Because they do not biodegrade, but only disintegrate into smaller parts, microplastics end up being absorbed or ingested by many organisms, staying in their bodies and tissues. That is the case of the human being. The effect on human health is still unknown, but they often contain additives and other possibly toxic chemicals that can be harmful to animals and people.
The investigation of the non-profit Save Our Planet
John Clinton Abad, president of the non-profit Save Our Planet, is conducting an investigation of macro litter and microplastics on the most polluted beach in Peru, Márquez. Regarding microplastics, after several analyzes during three months, it was found that 95% of them belonged to foam. Furthermore, foam can be easily carried by the wind and degrades easily. This makes it a danger to marine life, since they can mistake it for their food, causing them to die in many cases. Since the large garbage the foam was also very common, it is inferred that after several weeks the large foam turns into the microplastics that make up 95%. In the coming weeks, the investigation will uncover more data and statistics about the state of this beach.
