Do you like getting a burger from your local fast food restaurant? Or drink water at least once a day-even season your food with salt once in a while? In recent years there has been a large influx in the amount of microplastics being consumed by humans on a daily basis. According to the NLM (National Library of Medicine) people eat more than 50,000 particles of plastic a year!
Microplastics as the name suggests are tiny pieces of plastic less than 5 millimeters in size but don’t let that fool you. During the 50’s big corporations began using more advanced methods to mass produce products and industrial fishing which led to using cheaper alternatives, one being plastic since it’s so easy to acquire and inexpensive. Now they have infiltrated various ecosystems, including oceans, soil, and even the air we breathe. However one of the most alarming aspects of this contamination is its impact on our food and diet.
Furthermore, the consumption of microplastics pose greater risks than dietary dysfunctions such as immunotoxicity ; according to studies, microplastics can hinder brain development and are linked to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimers and Parkinsons disease. In order to effectively address this worldwide concern, coordinated actions are required as the prevalence of microplastics continues to climb. Through the implementation of strict climate/plastic focused legislation, innovation promotion, and public awareness campaigns there is hope.
Overall, There are many ways you can contribute to the community and yourself by supporting an organization.There are a multitude of local campaigns in the greater Chicago area that focus on driving a change toward reducing plastic pollution and confronting the issues head on such as the Sierra Club which is a nonprofit designed to educate people about the nature of problems. As well as the Alliance for the Great Lakes (AGL) which is made up of various environmental groups dedicated to raise public awareness and promote state legislation to address environmental issues. Also you can make big changes by making sure you reuse and recycle.
