China News Service, Beijing, September 25 (Wei Xianghui) Microplastics, which are less than 5 mm in diameter and even reach the nanoscale, are almost difficult to detect with the naked eye, but people eat, drink or inhale them unknowingly.
The study found that this may become another "invisible killer" of human health.
At present, many places in China have issued relevant regulations to strengthen plastic governance.
Data map: The factory turned to the production of degradable plastic bags.
Photo by Fu Yuqun
Microplastics may damage liver and lungs
A few days ago, a study on microplastics harming the liver and lungs appeared on Weibo.
The research was published in Environmental Science & Technology, a journal in the field of environmental science.
Laboratory results suggest that nanoscale microplastics may enter liver and lung cells and disrupt their normal processes, causing adverse effects on the organ.
In the past, people's understanding of microplastics was mainly reflected in the environmental impact.
In 2004, Richard Thompson and others from the University of Plymouth in the United Kingdom published a paper on plastic debris in marine water and sediments in the international academic journal Science, proposing the concept of microplastics.
In 2016, at the Second United Nations Environment Conference, microplastic pollution was listed as the second largest scientific issue in the field of environmental and ecological scientific research.
In 2017, at the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany, the adoption of the "G20 Marine Litter Action Plan" made microplastic pollution a priority on the global agenda.
In the past two years, scientists have gradually discovered that microplastics can harm human health.
In 2021, a research team from the State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Utilization, School of Environment, Nanjing University will also publish a related study in Environmental Science & Technology, finding that elevated levels of microplastics in the body may aggravate the intestinal tract. inflammation.
Data map: Promote the use of degradable plastic bags.
Photo by Fu Yuqun
Ubiquitous Microplastics
Plastic has long been considered an inert substance.
It is believed that after microplastics enter the human body, they will be excreted through the gastrointestinal tract and bile duct.
However, animal studies have shown that microplastics smaller than 10 μm can cross cell membranes into the circulatory system and reach other tissues.
In 2022, a paper from a research team from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in the Netherlands, published in the journal Environment International in the field of environmental science, stated that microplastics were found in human blood, which further triggered the long-term impact of microplastics on human health. 's concerns.
In fact, microplastics indistinguishable to the naked eye permeate almost every aspect of daily life.
The aforementioned Nanjing University study found that participants who often drank bottled water, ate takeaway food, and worked with dust exposure had more microplastics in their feces.
In addition, personal care products such as body wash, toothpaste, and sunscreen, as well as waste water from washing clothes in washing machines, may contain microplastics.
Relevant researchers have suggested that everyone should not abuse plastic products in their lives, and do not discard straws, plastic bags, disposable water cups, takeaway boxes, etc. after use; try to choose degradable plastic products, including wool or cotton when buying clothes, etc. Natural materials; pay attention to the ingredient list when choosing personal care products, try not to use products with plastic scrub ingredients; and do a good job of garbage classification is also conducive to reducing the damage of microplastics, so that garbage classification and plastic recycling complement each other.
Data map: Various types of plastic products.
Photo by Xu Qiaochu
Strengthen plastic management in many places
China's plastic pollution control is also actively advancing, and Shanxi, Henan and other places have issued relevant regulations.
In September 2021, the "Notice of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the National Development and Reform Commission on Printing and Distributing the "14th Five-Year" Plastic Pollution Control Action Plan" mentioned that the production of ultra-thin plastic shopping bags with a thickness of less than 0.025 mm and plastic bags with a thickness of less than 0.01 mm are prohibited. Some products that endanger the environment and human health, such as ethylene agricultural mulch film and daily chemical products containing plastic microbeads.
In July 2021, the 30th meeting of the Standing Committee of the Thirteenth People's Congress of Shanxi Province passed the "Shanxi Province Regulations on Prohibiting Non-degradable Disposable Plastic Products", which will be implemented on July 1, 2022.
The regulations clearly prohibit and limit the implementation of directory management for non-degradable disposable plastic products.
In January 2022, Henan Province announced the "Administrative Measures for the Classification of Urban Domestic Waste in Henan Province", which will come into force on March 1, 2022.
Article 16 stipulates that the production, sale and use of non-degradable disposable plastic products are prohibited according to law.
Article 19 stipulates that catering service providers and catering distribution service providers shall not take the initiative to provide consumers with disposable chopsticks, spoons and other tableware.
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