Water – human right or economic good?
9. January 2021
Do I want to eat microplastics?
Microplastics is a topic that everyone should be concerned with. Not only we think so, but also our intern Annika Richter. Annika occupies the place of honor for Wasser 3.0 as our first intern since the gGmbH was founded last year. We are very happy that with this internship we were also able to make a direct contribution to the Initiative Komm, mach MINT - #femalepower. Annika wrote an entry on the topic of microplastics for our blog for water without microplastics and micropollutants. Along for the ride - Maxi and Charlie.
The first time I learned aboutmicroplastics
was in ninth grade. That was both too little and too late. As a participant in the technical qualification year proTechnicale, I learned about Wasser 3.0 last year and was immediately excited about their vision. Now, as an intern, I can help spread theissue of microplastics
.
Do I want to eat plastic?
This is a question that everyone should ask themselves. Consciously, of course, no one eats plastic. And yet microplastic is part of our food. On average, people ingest more than 100 particles of microplastic in a meal. Partly through the food, but mostly through the air.Microplastics is a threat to us all
. But, why? What makes it so dangerous?May we introduce ourselves, Maxi and Charlie
We are Maxi and Charlie. We are two microplastic particles and want to accompany you today when the Wasser 3.0 blog for water without microplastics and micropollutants is about the topic microplastics. And we are experts on that, after all. We want to tell you who we actually are and where we come from. We take you with us on our way, where we show you where we do good, and where not. We give you hints what you can do against us, if you don't want us with you. Maxi is a microplastic particle that is slightly smaller than 5 mm. This just about qualifies it as a microplastic, because if it were larger than 5 mm, it would be called a macroplastic. In contrast to this is Charlie. With a size of 0.0001mm, Charlie is just big enough to be considered a microplastic at all. Anything smaller is called nanoplastic.
We are Maxi and Charlie. We are two microplastic particles and want to accompany you today when the Wasser 3.0 blog for water without microplastics and micropollutants is about the topic microplastics. And we are experts on that, after all. We want to tell you who we actually are and where we come from. We take you with us on our way, where we show you where we do good, and where not. We give you hints what you can do against us, if you don't want us with you. Maxi is a microplastic particle that is slightly smaller than 5 mm. This just about qualifies it as a microplastic, because if it were larger than 5 mm, it would be called a macroplastic. In contrast to this is Charlie. With a size of 0.0001mm, Charlie is just big enough to be considered a microplastic at all. Anything smaller is called nanoplastic.
How it all begins
For now, we don't want to talk about microplastics at all, but about plastic itself. Plastic is made primarily from petroleum. This occurs naturally as a viscous, black mass. In many steps, petroleum is turned into so-called monomers, which then undergo polymerization to form polymers. These polymers are further processed until they become the finished product, e.g. a cell phone cover or packaging. During processing, additives are added to change the properties of the plastic. All in all, our plastic products contain not only polymers, but many different chemicals. Plastic is a popular raw material, especially for packaging. Every year, 6 billion plastic bags are consumed in Germany, but this is set to change from 2021 with the new EU regulation, which is now also being implemented in Germany.
For now, we don't want to talk about microplastics at all, but about plastic itself. Plastic is made primarily from petroleum. This occurs naturally as a viscous, black mass. In many steps, petroleum is turned into so-called monomers, which then undergo polymerization to form polymers. These polymers are further processed until they become the finished product, e.g. a cell phone cover or packaging. During processing, additives are added to change the properties of the plastic. All in all, our plastic products contain not only polymers, but many different chemicals. Plastic is a popular raw material, especially for packaging. Every year, 6 billion plastic bags are consumed in Germany, but this is set to change from 2021 with the new EU regulation, which is now also being implemented in Germany.
Primary microplastic aka Maxi
Soccer is the most popular sport in Germany. Many games take place on artificial turf. This is sprinkled with rubber granules, which reduces the risk of injury to players. But this rubber granulate leaks from the pitch into the environment.
This type of microplastic is not only found on sports fields. It's especially common in clothing and cosmetics. Next time you use a scrub, take a closer look. The small beads are often made of plastic and pollute our environment. An alternative to industrially produced scrubs with microplastics are homemade scrubs, for example with sugar or salt.
Soccer is the most popular sport in Germany. Many games take place on artificial turf. This is sprinkled with rubber granules, which reduces the risk of injury to players. But this rubber granulate leaks from the pitch into the environment.
Rubber granules are of the same type of microplastic as Maxi
. Maxi is amicroplastic particle that was industrially manufactured
as it still is. Therefore, Maxi is considered a primary microplastic.This type of microplastic is not only found on sports fields. It's especially common in clothing and cosmetics. Next time you use a scrub, take a closer look. The small beads are often made of plastic and pollute our environment. An alternative to industrially produced scrubs with microplastics are homemade scrubs, for example with sugar or salt.
Secondary microplastic aka Charlie
In the ocean, there is six times more plastic than plankton. However, maritime wildlife cannot feed on plastic, only on plankton. Yet they ingest it because they mistake it for real food. When marine animals try to digest plastic, it decomposes. This is just one example of a process that creates secondary microplastics like Charlie.
Generally, secondary microplastics are formed when a larger plastic product breaks down into smaller pieces. This happens under persistent solar radiation as occurs in the ocean. Violent storms and the high salinity in the world's oceans also cause the plastic debris floating there to decompose more quickly. On average, 13,000 particles of plastic waste float on every square kilometer of ocean surface. In the Mediterranean Sea alone, there are estimated to be 250 million pieces of plastic.
In the ocean, there is six times more plastic than plankton. However, maritime wildlife cannot feed on plastic, only on plankton. Yet they ingest it because they mistake it for real food. When marine animals try to digest plastic, it decomposes. This is just one example of a process that creates secondary microplastics like Charlie.
Generally, secondary microplastics are formed when a larger plastic product breaks down into smaller pieces. This happens under persistent solar radiation as occurs in the ocean. Violent storms and the high salinity in the world's oceans also cause the plastic debris floating there to decompose more quickly. On average, 13,000 particles of plastic waste float on every square kilometer of ocean surface. In the Mediterranean Sea alone, there are estimated to be 250 million pieces of plastic.
From sea to plate
In the face of the global
Microplastics in the sea
are ingested especially by fish and shellfish as supposed food. When these fish are caught and processed into food, they are accompanied by the microplastics.In the face of the global
plastic problem
s, we should all ask ourselves: Do I want to eat plastic?Over the next few weeks, we will continue to explore the topic of microplastics in our blog. Charlie and Maxie will also be in on the action. If you have any questions on the topic, drop us an email or check out our fact checks or download our whitepaper on the topic for free. Scientifically sound facts and figures are available in our numerous publications.
