Microplastics accumulate in the oceans! real danger to humans

The issue of contamination by microplastic particles has been a hotly debated topic. Of course, this is closely related to the condition of plastic waste which is increasingly mounting. Without realizing, the use of plastic packaging and other materials containing plastic has triggered the accumulation of plastic waste in the oceans. World plastic production is increasing every year and it is even estimated that the amount of production will increase 100 doubled in year 2050 coming. According to the World Bank (2015), plastic itself turns out to contribute 10% of the total waste generated by humans. Most of the plastic that has been used, not recycled and directly thrown into the environment and will eventually end up in the ocean. Estimated at 60-80% from the garbage in the sea comes from plastic waste.

What is microplastic?

Microplastics were first identified in the 1970s. Microplastics are derived from polymers and their derivatives such as polystyrene. Apart from polymer, These particles also come from plastic waste which is degraded into smaller particles within a certain period of time. The particle diameter is less than 5 mm. The lower limit of the particle size included in the microplastic group has not been defined with certainty, however most studies take the lower limit of minimal 300 µm. These particles consist of a wide variety of groups that vary greatly in size, shape, color, composition, density, and other properties. These substances exist in the environment, both air, land, freshwater, and the sea. In the ocean, microplastics are scattered on the beach, shallow waters, even deep water.

Is it true that microplastics are dangerous??

Microplastics can accumulate in high amounts in seawater and sediments. The very small size of microplastics and their abundance in the oceans make them unique ubiquitous and bioavailability for high aquatic organisms. As a result, these particles can easily enter the food chain of marine animals and contaminate the animal's body. The contaminated marine animals then become food for humans. Reporting from National Geographic Indonesia, every single shellfish in Europe is recorded to contain about 90 microplastic. These substances are also found in the liver of fresh fish and canned fish. Not only in marine animals, in Mexico these particles are also found in chickens. Even the bottled mineral water that we consume is also found 2-44 microplastic per liter. No wonder the research results show the presence of microplastics in human feces.

Although the findings of microplastics in human feces indicate that these substances are consumed, they are successfully excreted due to the body's response to seeing them as unnecessary substances., but it does not rule out the possibility that there are harmful chemicals that are absorbed in the small intestine and enter the blood circulation. This is due to the nature of microplastics which are like transporters, which has a tendency to bind other compounds such as waste, heavy metals, detergent, pesticide, and poison. So that when these particles enter the human body,, The chemical compounds carried will be released in the body while the physical microplastics will come out through the feces because they are not digested. Chemical compounds can trigger cancer, degenerative, or disorders of the hormonal system.

What we can do?

What can we start doing when plastic seems to be one of the primary needs that we use in almost all fields, both the food and beverage industry, fashion, cosmetics, even the pharmaceutical industry? Of course, research on organic materials that can be used as a substitute for plastic is very necessary to continue to be developed. other than that, we can also start to reduce our dependence on plastic use by using bags, place to eat, and a reusable drink. Manage and recycle the plastic waste that we use into items that we can reuse.

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