In recent years, the conversation around plastics has shifted to the less obvious plastics swimming through our environment: microplastics and nanoplastics. Pervasive and seemingly everywhere, microplastics are plastic bits that are less than 5 millimeters long (smaller than the width of a #2 pencil), while nanoplastics are even smaller and invisible to the eye. These tiny plastic bits are shed from larger pieces or threads of plastic, or they may be made small to begin with (like plastic microbeads).
Microplastics and nanoplastics originate from a range of sources, from the synthetic clothes we wear to car tires to paints to plastic packaging. And because plastic contains a range of chemicals that are added to improve performance, flexibility, and durability, scientists are concerned that plastic bits may also leach potentially harmful chemicals, including bisphenols, phthalates, flame retardants, and PFAS.
Scientists have been developing the ability to detect and measure micro- and nanoplastic in more and more places — from snow-capped mountains to the deep sea, as well as in our food, our drinking water, and our bodies. Brains, blood, beer, broccoli — you name it. Look, and you probably shall find. We’re still learning what impacts all this plastic has on ecosystems and our own health, but some experts say there is cause for concern.
If all this sounds like a lot, let me share my best distilled advice, the North Star that’s remained true through all my reporting: Try to shop slowly and buy less. Most of the time, when you prioritize durability, repairability, and intentionality in your purchases, you’ll accomplish three goals: You’ll start to shrink your plastic footprint, you’ll start to lower your plastic exposure, and you’ll start to reduce your carbon footprint, too.
More on all of that in the coming weeks. See you then.
