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Industrial Fouling Expert/ Biocorrosion Expert/ Water Positive Expert/ Filtration Systems Expert/ Plant Optimization Consultant/ Industrial and Water Process Researcher/ Author/ Inventor/ Entrepreneur
Microplastics: An Invisible Health Crisis We Cannot Ignore! The body's biochemistry operates at an extraordinary level of precision, responding to nano-fractions in ways that can have profound implications for health. When it comes to microplastics, the problem isn't one of mass balance—it's exposure. Microplastics, and their even smaller counterparts, nanoplastics, act as vectors for harmful substances such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs), heavy metals, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals. These particles infiltrate our bodies through water, seafood, and even the air we breathe. Once inside, they can cross vital biological barriers, provoking oxidative stress, inflammation, and even genotoxic damage that compromises cellular and systemic health. Consider seafood: Microplastics ingested by marine organisms accumulate in tissues that end up on our plates. Drinking water is another key vector, with microplastics detected in bottled and tap water globally. The cumulative exposure from these sources poses significant long-term risks, even if the individual concentrations appear negligible. So, how do we manage this emerging crisis? Advanced filtration technologies like Ultrafiltration (UF) and Nanofiltration (NF) are critical tools. These systems can effectively remove microplastics from water sources, offering a practical mitigation strategy. While these technologies aren't yet widely implemented, they represent a scalable solution for reducing human exposure. The microplastic crisis demands a shift in how we understand and address environmental contaminants. It’s not the quantity of material that poses the greatest threat, but the cumulative, chronic exposure to particles operating on a scale where our biochemistry is most vulnerable. We must act now—investing in advanced filtration, rethinking product design, and implementing global policies to mitigate exposure. This isn't just an environmental issue; it's a public health imperative. #Microplastics #Biochemistry #PublicHealth #AdvancedFiltration #Sustainability #desalination #MiddleEast #Spain
It is not the quality of microplastics that is the problem, it is ingesting them!
Hello Troy Green I believe the real question is the impact of “invisible” plastics, which are smaller than 100nm size. There hasn’t been a concrete evidence of microplastics to cause significant health issues even when ingested, but nano particles, regardless of their toxicity (inert ones as well), are known to be able to penetrate cell walls and could cause serious health issues. We have learned this when the research since 2015-16 showed us nanosilica and nanosilver (otherwise inert chemicals) could cause serious problems once they penetrated the cell wallls, simply because of their size. I expect nano particles and their impact will be the main topic of many discussions in the next decade.
Erm Troy there seems to be mixed messages going on here. If the below is a true comment, then is it really a supposed risk as stipulated? For instance, we ingest 0.0000014 g of microplastics per week, and there are 3,600 weeks in 70 years. This means our total lifetime exposure to microplastics by ingestion is just 0.005 g. The vast majority (99.7%) of small particles ingested pass right through us. Thus, we can calculate the total amount not expelled over 70 years as 0.000015 g?
Microplastics, tiny plastic particles less than 5 mm in size, have both potential advantages and disadvantages when it comes to health: Advantages: Medical Applications: Microplastics are used in certain medical devices and drug delivery systems, which can improve treatment efficacy. Packaging: They help in preserving food and medical supplies by providing a barrier to contaminants and extending shelf life. While the full extent of the health impacts of microplastics is still being studied, it's clear that minimizing exposure and finding safer alternatives is crucial for both human and environmental health.
Yes, it’s a healthy world problem, and we must act….I found that humans are estimated to ingest approximately 39,000 to 52,000 microplastic particles per year through food, water, and air. When including inhalation of airborne microplastics, this number can rise significantly, potentially reaching over 74,000 particles annually. These figures vary depending on diet, lifestyle, and regional exposure. Some studies also suggest that microplastic consumption could be higher due to unaccounted sources, such as processed foods or beverages like bottled water.
Microplastics are a serious threat to the environment, harming ecosystems, animals, human health, and economies. To tackle this problem, we need a combined effort that includes scientific research, strong policies, and public awareness to reduce their sources and effects.
An insightful post highlighting a critical issue! The intersection of microplastics and public health cannot be overstated. Advanced filtration technologies like UF and NF are indeed promising solutions, but we also need to address the root causes, product design and global policy reform. Tackling microplastics is as much about prevention as it is about mitigation. Thank you for raising awareness on this pressing matter! Troy Green
Industrial Fouling Expert/ Biocorrosion Expert/ Water Positive Expert/ Filtration Systems Expert/ Plant Optimization Consultant/ Industrial and Water Process Researcher/ Author/ Inventor/ Entrepreneur
1wIntriguingly, many of you have raised questions and concerns about microplastics and their impact on human health but waver in acceptance of how when small ingested quantities can impact health. Allow me to respond. "While it's tempting to dismiss microplastic ingestion as harmless due to the 'small quantities' involved, this perspective dangerously oversimplifies the issue. Biology operates at a molecular scale, where even trace amounts of foreign particles can disrupt cellular processes, trigger inflammation, and initiate disease. The molecular mechanisms underlying inflammation, immune dysregulation, and even carcinogenesis often depend on specific triggers—not just cumulative quantities. Consider this: a single molecule of a toxin, allergen, or pathogen can initiate life-threatening responses in some cases, as seen with bee stings, snake venom, or incompatible blood transfusions. Microplastics, with their propensity to adsorb and carry toxic chemicals- are more than inert particles; they are potential molecular landmines. Daniel Adeoye (C.WEM, CEMS™) Sarper Sarp