Microplastics 'significantly contaminating the air', scientists warn
Source: The Guardian
Microplastics ‘significantly contaminating the air’, scientists warn
Discovery of pollution in snowfall from the Arctic to the Alps leads to call for urgent research on potential human health impacts
Damian Carrington Environment editor
@dpcarrington
Wed 14 Aug 2019 19.00 BST
Abundant levels of microplastic pollution have been found in snow from the Arctic to the Alps, according to a study that has prompted scientists to warn of significant contamination of the atmosphere and demand urgent research into the potential health impacts on people.
Snow captures particles from the air as it falls and samples from ice floes on the ocean between Greenland and Svalbard contained an average of 1,760 microplastic particles per litre, the research found. Even more – 24,600 per litre on average – were found at European locations. The work shows transport by winds is a key factor in microplastics contamination across the globe.
The scientists called for research on the effect of airborne microplastics on human health, pointing to an earlier study that found the particles in cancerous human lung tissue. In June, another study showed people eat at least 50,000 microplastic particles per year.
Many millions of tonnes of plastic are discarded into the environment every year and are broken down into small particles and fibres that do not biodegrade. These particles, known as microplastics, have now been found everywhere from high mountains to deep oceans and can carry toxic chemicals and harmful microbes.
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Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/14/microplastics-found-at-profuse-levels-in-snow-from-arctic-to-alps-contamination
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Related: White and wonderful? Microplastics prevail in snow from the Alps to the Arctic (Science Advances)
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