February 03, 2025

What are microplastics?

Microplastics are plastic particles found in the environment measuring less than 5 mm in length. They are created by plastic products breaking down in the environment due to UV irradiation. This weathering process is accelerated in the presence of water and wind. According to the UN Environmental Programme, 19-23 million tonnes of plastic waste leaks into water sources every year. Plastics have only been around for about 100 years with the first plastics invented in 1907. A study in 2017 found that of the 8300 million metric tonnes of plastics that have been created, only around 20% have been recycled or incinerated with the remaining 79% in landfills or the oceans.

Ocean Plastic Waste

Between 1 and 2 million tonnes of plastic waste enter the oceans each year. Ocean plastic in and of itself is harmful enough as it harms marine life. By 2050, it is estimated that there will be more plastic in the oceans, by weight, than there will be fish. A combination of the earth’s rotation, wind patterns and continental masses has formed five massive ocean gyres, or circular surface currents. These are the Indian Ocean Gyre, North Pacific Gyre, South Pacific Gyre, North Atlantic Gyre and South Atlantic Gyre. Because plastic waste is less dense than water, it collects in these gyres forming large concentrations of plastic waste. Companies like Ocean Cleanup (https://theoceancleanup.com/) are currently working to remove this plastic waste from the North Pacific Gyre – the largest concentration of plastic waste in the ocean.

Where microplastics are found

The primary sources of microplastics are weathered synthetic clothing (e.g. polyester), rubber tyres and dust from cities. Other sources include industrial coatings, plastic pellets and plastic beads in personal care products. An estimate from 2023 determined there are about 360 trillion plastic particles floating on the surface of the ocean. These particles have even been found on the top of Mount Everest and in the deepest trenches of the ocean. Microplastics have been found in breast milk, lung tissue, in farmed meat products and drinking water (both bottled and tap water). The concentration of airborne plastic particles has been found to be higher inside buildings compared with outdoors.

What effects do microplastics have on health?

While the skin is an effective barrier even to the smallest microplastics, microplastics are being taken into the human body through the air we breathe, the food we eat and the water we drink. Laboratory testing of mice has shown microplastics have an effect on reproductive levels, neurological health and metabolic rates. The problem has been found not to be the microplastic itself but more the chemicals that are released from the particles. Studies are currently being carried out to better understand the risk of human exposure to microplastics.

How do we remove them from water?

Air filters are increasingly being used in households to remove the quantity of microplastics in the air. The human body can screen out microplastics via the liver and spleen (with plastic being excreted as waste). Membrane filtration has shown to be successful for removing microplastics from feedwater sources. However, removing microplastics from our food supplies is much more complicated. The oceans are far too large to be filtered so an alternative method will be needed to reduce the concentration in our oceans. In a similar method, to remove microplastics from farming systems would require treatment of the air, the soils and the water that animals are consuming.

Moerk Water are interested in removing contaminants from water sources to improve the quality of drinking water and agriculture systems. Contact Moerk Water today to find out more about tailoring a microplastics removal system to your needs.