#microplastics — Public Fediverse posts

Plastic pollution is the accumulation of plastic objects and particles (e.g. plastic bottles, bags and microbeads) in the Earth's environment that adversely affects humans, wildlife and their habitat.[1][2] Plastics that act as pollutants are categorized by size into micro-, meso-, or macro debris.[3] Plastics are inexpensive and durable, making them very adaptable for different uses; as a result, manufacturers choose to use plastic over other materials.[4] However, the chemical structure of most plastics renders them resistant to many natural processes of degradation and as a result they are slow to degrade.[5] Together, these two factors allow large volumes of plastic to enter the environment as mismanaged waste which persists in the ecosystem and travels throughout food webs.[6][7]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastic_pollution

#MicroPlastics #environment

Plastic pollution is the accumulation of plastic objects and particles (e.g. plastic bottles, bags and microbeads) in the Earth's environment that adversely affects humans, wildlife and their habitat.[1][2] Plastics that act as pollutants are categorized by size into micro-, meso-, or macro debris.[3] Plastics are inexpensive and durable, making them very adaptable for different uses; as a result, manufacturers choose to use plastic over other materials.[4] However, the chemical structure of most plastics renders them resistant to many natural processes of degradation and as a result they are slow to degrade.[5] Together, these two factors allow large volumes of plastic to enter the environment as mismanaged waste which persists in the ecosystem and travels throughout food webs.[6][7]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastic_pollution

#MicroPlastics #environment

Deep-sea snails and mussels in Indian and Pacific Oceans contain microplastics, study finds https://news.mongabay.com/2026/08/deep-sea-snails-and-mussels-in-indian-and-pacific-oceans-contain-microplastics-study-finds/

#Ocean #environment #marinelife #plastic #microplastics #PlasticPollution

Deep-sea snails and mussels in Indian and Pacific Oceans contain microplastics, study finds https://news.mongabay.com/2026/08/deep-sea-snails-and-mussels-in-indian-and-pacific-oceans-contain-microplastics-study-finds/

#Ocean #environment #marinelife #plastic #microplastics #PlasticPollution

Swarms of tiny robots remove #microplastics from soil and water https://phys.org/news/2026-08-swarms-tiny-robots-microplastics-soil.html

Swarms of tiny robots remove #microplastics from soil and water https://phys.org/news/2026-08-swarms-tiny-robots-microplastics-soil.html

Removing Microplastics from Soil with Tumbling Magnetic Flakes

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://hackaday.com/2026/08/13/removing-microplastics-from-soil-with-tumbling-magnetic-flakes/

Removing Microplastics from Soil with Tumbling Magnetic Flakes

https://web.brid.gy/r/https://hackaday.com/2026/08/13/removing-microplastics-from-soil-with-tumbling-magnetic-flakes/

Act now on microplastic risks, businesses urged https://phys.org/news/2026-08-microplastic-businesses-urged.html

#environment #plastic #microplastics #PlasticPollution #business

Act now on microplastic risks, businesses urged https://phys.org/news/2026-08-microplastic-businesses-urged.html

#environment #plastic #microplastics #PlasticPollution #business

#MicroplasticFree #Microplastics #Health #WaterFilter #PlasticFree #SustainableLiving #ReduceWaste #EnvironmentalHealth #CleanWater #wellnessatwork #wellnessquotes #physicalwellbeing #HealthyLifestyle #Podcast https://mastodon.social/@biohackingpathway/117081541221290355

💁🏻‍♀️ TIL: 🌱🌿 Arya Satheesh developed a #bioplastic called Eco Purge that biodegrades in two weeks.

The material releases specific #enzymes designed to break down existing #microplastics in #soil and #water. Her #research and prototype earned her the European category win at the 2026 #EarthPrize.

👉 https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/this-high-schooler-invented-a-plant-based-plastic-that-removes-microplastics-from-the-environment-as-it-biodegrades-180989254/

#science #innovation #environment #biotechnology #sustainability #ecology #materials #pollution #nature

💁🏻‍♀️ TIL: 🌱🌿 Arya Satheesh developed a #bioplastic called Eco Purge that biodegrades in two weeks.

The material releases specific #enzymes designed to break down existing #microplastics in #soil and #water. Her #research and prototype earned her the European category win at the 2026 #EarthPrize.

👉 https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/this-high-schooler-invented-a-plant-based-plastic-that-removes-microplastics-from-the-environment-as-it-biodegrades-180989254/

#science #innovation #environment #biotechnology #sustainability #ecology #materials #pollution #nature

In #Amazon rivers, fish breathe and ingest #plastics

https://news.mongabay.com/2026/08/in-amazon-rivers-fish-breathe-and-ingest-plastics/

For Amazon fish, oxygen now comes with #microplastics.

In #Amazon rivers, fish breathe and ingest #plastics

https://news.mongabay.com/2026/08/in-amazon-rivers-fish-breathe-and-ingest-plastics/

For Amazon fish, oxygen now comes with #microplastics.

#Microplastics (particles smaller than 5 mm) cross biological barriers in the body—such as entering the bloodstream, lungs, and gut—where they trigger chronic inflammation and cellular stress.

https://knowledgezone.co.in/trends/browser?topic=Microplastics

#Microplastics (particles smaller than 5 mm) cross biological barriers in the body—such as entering the bloodstream, lungs, and gut—where they trigger chronic inflammation and cellular stress.

https://knowledgezone.co.in/trends/browser?topic=Microplastics

Can a #Lumpy #Universe explain #DarkEnergy? : Medium

The #Emerging Link Between #Microplastics and #HeartDisease : Time

#Supplement that #Binds to #Microplastics may remove them from our #Body : New Sci

Latest #KnowledgeLinks

https://knowledgezone.co.in/resources/bookmarks

Can a #Lumpy #Universe explain #DarkEnergy? : Medium

The #Emerging Link Between #Microplastics and #HeartDisease : Time

#Supplement that #Binds to #Microplastics may remove them from our #Body : New Sci

Latest #KnowledgeLinks

https://knowledgezone.co.in/resources/bookmarks

Gardener says tea bags can shed microplastics, and shares 5 herbs to grow instead https://www.allforgardening.com/1924249/gardener-says-tea-bags-can-shed-microplastics-and-shares-5-herbs-to-grow-instead-2/ #garden #HerbalTea #HomegrownHerbs #microplastics #tea #TeaBags #youtube

Gardener says tea bags can shed microplastics, and shares 5 herbs to grow instead https://www.allforgardening.com/1924249/gardener-says-tea-bags-can-shed-microplastics-and-shares-5-herbs-to-grow-instead-2/ #garden #HerbalTea #HomegrownHerbs #microplastics #tea #TeaBags #youtube

Plastics contamination an ‘overlooked’ concern in food waste schemes, experts say | Food waste | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/09/plastics-pollution-food-waste-landfill-recycling-research

"About one-third of all food produced worldwide is wasted each year, according to UN data. In the US, 40% of food waste goes to landfill, where it creates 30m metric tonnes of CO2 equivalent a year – more than Cuba’s total annual CO2 emissions in 2024, which amounted to 24.4m tonnes."

#Plastics #Microplastics #Waste #Contamination #ClimateCrisis

Plastics contamination an ‘overlooked’ concern in food waste schemes, experts say | Food waste | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/09/plastics-pollution-food-waste-landfill-recycling-research

"About one-third of all food produced worldwide is wasted each year, according to UN data. In the US, 40% of food waste goes to landfill, where it creates 30m metric tonnes of CO2 equivalent a year – more than Cuba’s total annual CO2 emissions in 2024, which amounted to 24.4m tonnes."

#Plastics #Microplastics #Waste #Contamination #ClimateCrisis

unfortunately we will never hear from her again 😬😑 #plastics #microplastics #vestedinterest
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/science/meet-arya-satheesh-high-school-student-invents-plant-based-plastic-that-removes-microplastics-as-it-naturally-breaks-down-named-european-winner-of-the-earth-prize/amp_articleshow/133024199.cms

unfortunately we will never hear from her again 😬😑 #plastics #microplastics #vestedinterest
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/science/meet-arya-satheesh-high-school-student-invents-plant-based-plastic-that-removes-microplastics-as-it-naturally-breaks-down-named-european-winner-of-the-earth-prize/amp_articleshow/133024199.cms

Algal blooms accelerate plastic weathering, potentially fueling microplastic formation https://phys.org/news/2026-07-algal-blooms-plastic-weathering-potentially.html

#environment #algae #plastic #microplastics #PlasticPollution

Algal blooms accelerate plastic weathering, potentially fueling microplastic formation https://phys.org/news/2026-07-algal-blooms-plastic-weathering-potentially.html

#environment #algae #plastic #microplastics #PlasticPollution

A mouse study found that polyethylene, in the form of microplastic particles in the diet, is associated with greater prevalence of fatty liver disease.

Summary: https://scitechdaily.com/this-widely-used-plastic-could-be-harming-your-liver/

Original paper: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.aec8681

#Science #Health #Microplastics #Polyethylene #Pollution #FattyLiverDisease

A mouse study found that polyethylene, in the form of microplastic particles in the diet, is associated with greater prevalence of fatty liver disease.

Summary: https://scitechdaily.com/this-widely-used-plastic-could-be-harming-your-liver/

Original paper: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.aec8681

#Science #Health #Microplastics #Polyethylene #Pollution #FattyLiverDisease

https://journal.hep.com.cn/eceh/EN/10.20517/wecn.2022.22

https://pubs.acs.org/esthag/article/59/4/1984/3661591/Assessing-the-Efficacy-of-Pyrolysis-Gas

(Interview)
https://e360.yale.edu/features/cassandra-rauert-interview

#fossilfuels #microplastics #nanoplastics #plasticpollution #Science #Toxicology

https://journal.hep.com.cn/eceh/EN/10.20517/wecn.2022.22

https://pubs.acs.org/esthag/article/59/4/1984/3661591/Assessing-the-Efficacy-of-Pyrolysis-Gas

(Interview)
https://e360.yale.edu/features/cassandra-rauert-interview

#fossilfuels #microplastics #nanoplastics #plasticpollution #Science #Toxicology

‘Nobody cares’: the Turkish farmers bearing the burden of UK’s #PlasticWaste problem

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/04/plastic-waste-microplastics-exports-recycling-turkey-farmers-pollution-environment-recycling

#Britain exported 139,000 tonnes of rubbish to #Turkey last year, leaving smallholders and poor districts of #Adana to cope with the debris, #microplastics and toxic smoke

‘Nobody cares’: the Turkish farmers bearing the burden of UK’s #PlasticWaste problem

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/04/plastic-waste-microplastics-exports-recycling-turkey-farmers-pollution-environment-recycling

#Britain exported 139,000 tonnes of rubbish to #Turkey last year, leaving smallholders and poor districts of #Adana to cope with the debris, #microplastics and toxic smoke

Microplastics in the Water Column

Of the more than 9 billion metric tons of plastic that’s been produced, a mere 9% has been recycled. About 12% has been incinerated, and the remainder is just out there–in our homes, our landfills, and, unfortunately, in our oceans. Exactly where all the plastic is continues to be an active question of research.

Plastic’s density is similar to that of water; some versions are a little denser than water, and some are a little lighter. So whether a piece of plastic floats at the ocean surface or sinks to the bottom depends on several factors, including its density, size, and shape. A large, dense plastic–think laundry detergent bottles–can float if it displaces enough water; after all, metal ships float!

But as sunlight and abrasion breaks that big container into smaller fragments, their buoyancy shrinks. Eventually, these small, millimetric pieces sink, carrying our pollution to ecosystems we once thought remote. Some of the highest rates of microplastic ingestion are found in nonmigratory species living between 1200 and 1500 meters below the surface. We may never visit those depths, but our garbage does. (Image credit: iStock/dottedhippo; via Eos)

Microplastics in the Water Column

Of the more than 9 billion metric tons of plastic that’s been produced, a mere 9% has been recycled. About 12% has been incinerated, and the remainder is just out there–in our homes, our landfills, and, unfortunately, in our oceans. Exactly where all the plastic is continues to be an active question of research.

Plastic’s density is similar to that of water; some versions are a little denser than water, and some are a little lighter. So whether a piece of plastic floats at the ocean surface or sinks to the bottom depends on several factors, including its density, size, and shape. A large, dense plastic–think laundry detergent bottles–can float if it displaces enough water; after all, metal ships float!

But as sunlight and abrasion breaks that big container into smaller fragments, their buoyancy shrinks. Eventually, these small, millimetric pieces sink, carrying our pollution to ecosystems we once thought remote. Some of the highest rates of microplastic ingestion are found in nonmigratory species living between 1200 and 1500 meters below the surface. We may never visit those depths, but our garbage does. (Image credit: iStock/dottedhippo; via Eos)

Microplastics are everywhere – including our arteries. Looking at 17 human arterial samples collected during surgical procedures, the researchers found microplastics present in all of the samples. How microplastics might damage the body and to what extent are questions that researchers are continuing to investigate, but this clearly isn’t a good thing. @ScienceAlert has more:

https://flip.it/26c0MW

#Science #Health #Microplastics

Microplastics are everywhere – including our arteries. Looking at 17 human arterial samples collected during surgical procedures, the researchers found microplastics present in all of the samples. How microplastics might damage the body and to what extent are questions that researchers are continuing to investigate, but this clearly isn’t a good thing. @ScienceAlert has more:

https://flip.it/26c0MW

#Science #Health #Microplastics

My other blog post for the Scarab Trust: https://www.scarabtrust.org.uk/post/is-microwave-safe-plastic-really-safe

#environment #microplastics #breakfreefromplastic #microwave #readymeals #health

My other blog post for the Scarab Trust: https://www.scarabtrust.org.uk/post/is-microwave-safe-plastic-really-safe

#environment #microplastics #breakfreefromplastic #microwave #readymeals #health

Sea salt in Lombok Island, Indonesia is contaminated with microplastics: study https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2026/07/sea-salt-in-lombok-island-indonesia-is-contaminated-with-microplastics-study/

#Indonesia #Lombok #environment #plastic #microplastics #PlasticPollution

Sea salt in Lombok Island, Indonesia is contaminated with microplastics: study https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2026/07/sea-salt-in-lombok-island-indonesia-is-contaminated-with-microplastics-study/

#Indonesia #Lombok #environment #plastic #microplastics #PlasticPollution

One of the downsides of watching cooking shows and food documentaries is seeing how blithely comfortable chefs and restaurants are about ubiquitous plastic and Teflon/PFAS in food preparation. 😬

I haven't eaten in a restaurant since February 2020 and for this reason (among the other obvious ones) I may never eat restaurant food again.

I hope we build a PFAS & microplastics free world — I hope I'm still here to see it if we do.

#PFAS #Plastic #Microplastics #Food #Health #PublicHealth

One of the downsides of watching cooking shows and food documentaries is seeing how blithely comfortable chefs and restaurants are about ubiquitous plastic and Teflon/PFAS in food preparation. 😬

I haven't eaten in a restaurant since February 2020 and for this reason (among the other obvious ones) I may never eat restaurant food again.

I hope we build a PFAS & microplastics free world — I hope I'm still here to see it if we do.

#PFAS #Plastic #Microplastics #Food #Health #PublicHealth

Went beach cleaning. Biggest find: half a square metre of net-reinforced clear plastic tarp. Also a few small frags of plastic and styrofoam.

#microplastics #environment

Went beach cleaning. Biggest find: half a square metre of net-reinforced clear plastic tarp. Also a few small frags of plastic and styrofoam.

#microplastics #environment

I'm half way through 2026… and been catching the bus a lot more due to the fuel prices.

The nearest I can get on the bus to my workplace is Paddington, just near the start of Caxton Street and Lang Park stadium. From there, it's a couple of kilometres walk to Park Road alongside Milton Road. Since I want to catch the bus, and none of the lurgies that passengers might be unwittingly sharing on said bus, I've been masking up. My modus operandi is I put it on before I leave home, and it comes off when I sit down at my desk at work.

The other day I was talking with a colleague and he mentioned a recent study about particulate matter from traffic landing on balconies, he specifically was dubious about the findings.

https://news.uq.edu.au/2026-07-microplastic-tyre-pollution-found-brisbane-balcony-dust

I thought… hang on… I'm walking near a busy road, and I'm wearing a filter… what does it look like? I pulled the pre-filter out and had a look. Where the retainer clamps the pre-filter to the actual filter, it is *filthy*!

I've put the pre-filter back in for now since the P3 filter in behind seems clean, meaning that pre-filter is doing its job catching the bigger particles… but it does make me wonder if I should get in touch with UQ and see if they want to do some tests on this?

#AirPollution #Microplastics

Microplastic tire pollution found in Brisbane balcony dust https://phys.org/news/2026-07-microplastic-pollution-brisbane-balcony.html

#Brisbane #environment #plastic #microplastics #PlasticPollution #tires

Tiny plastics in drinking water may be making dangerous bacteria stronger https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/07/260714225532.htm

#environment #water #DrinkingWater #plastic #microplastics #PlasticPollution #bacteria