How Plastics & Microplastics Impact Human and Aquatic Life

This month's blog comes to us from a guest writer.  We are thrilled to have Mr. Erich Lawson provide us with some outstanding recycling information.  Erich is passionate about saving the environment through proper recycling.

There are several studies outlining the harmful effects of plastics on the planet. According to a UN report, the amount of plastic produced rose by 38 percent between 2004 and 2014. Another report said that in 2010, between 4.8 million and 12.7 million tons of plastic was washed into the seas, a substantial portion of which found its way into the stomachs of whales, plankton and other marine life.

There is also a growing presence of microplastics, particles of under 5 mm in length, in the world’s oceans. There are over 150 million metric tons of plastics in our ocean today.  This is a scary figure considering the amount of plastic that may be consumed by marine life and how they are being affected by that much plastic. 

How Does Plastic Enter the Food Chain

Another thing we need to worry about is that these plastics and toxic chemicals can eventually accumulate in food chains and make their way into animals and humans that eat ocean creatures like fish and crustaceans.

Two recent studies in Marine Biology and Animal Behavior found that microplastics can indeed be passed through the food chain to fishes. When we consume this fish, the microplastics will enter our systems as well.

Threat to Aquatic Creatures

• Ingestion: Marine animals confuse plastic pieces for food and end up eating them. For example, pelicans and albatross consume plastic mistaking it for small fish. This plastic cannot be digested by the marine animal’s body and remains in its stomach causing the animal to feel full. Eventually, the animals will stop eating, leading to malnutrition, starvation or dehydration. It will even damage their digestive system.
• Suffocation: Animals can suffocate due to plastic bags and six pack holders. These items can block air passageways and/or inhibit normal growth patterns. For instance, sea turtles try and ingest plastic bags, mistaking them for jellyfish. Often the plastic bag is too large for the animal to digest, which means that the turtle will suffocate on it.
• Entanglement: This occurs when plastic items like fishing line or six-pack rings affect the mobility of marine animals. If they are entangled, animals will have trouble eating, breathing and/or swimming, leading to fatal results.

Impact of Plastics on Humans

Plastic, which is made from petroleum and toxic chemicals that are often not found on labels, are harmful to humans as well. Two examples of harmful chemicals found in common plastic items include:

1. Phthalates: These chemicals are used to create soft and flexible plastics which are commonly used in the food and construction industries, pesticides, beauty products, wood finishes, solvents and insect repellents. Exposure to phthalates can cause abnormal male sexual development, infertility, cancer, asthma, premature breast development, miscarriage, and premature birth. 
2. Bisphenol-A (BPA): It’s the chemical name for polycarbonate plastics and is found in several commonly used products like water jugs, lining of food cans, baby bottles, baby formula, teethers, etc. It is an estrogen disrupter with the ability to migrate into liquids and foods that it comes into contact with. 

We must turn to practices like recycling to minimize the impact plastic can have on us. 

Measures To Stop Plastic Pollution 

Plastic pollution is becoming a global menace since plastic is consumed all over the world. Plastic will most certainly be a part of your life in some way or the other, but you can do your part to curb plastic pollution by making some lifestyle changes: 

• Educating yourself and others about the harmful affects of plastic pollution
• Buying products with little to no plastic packaging 
• Using recycled products 
• Recycling as much as you can 
• Disposing waste properly
• Reducing the number of plastic products you use
• Support companies that provide sustainable products
• Participating in community cleanup drives and encouraging local leaders to pass bans on plastic bags, styrofoam containers, etc.
• Avoiding the use of plastic single-use items, such as plastic grocery bags, plastic tableware, plastic straws, and plastic cups
• Reporting incidents of littering 

It is important to identify your role in the problem in order to find appropriate solutions.  So, take the necessary steps and help in protecting our planet. 

Author Bio 
 
Erich Lawson is passionate about saving the environment by effective recycling. He has written a wide array of articles on how modern recycling equipment can be used by industries to reduce monthly garbage bills and increase recycling revenue. You can learn more about environment savings techniques by visiting Northern California Compactors, Inc blog