Microplastic pollution has been found in human organs — with scientists fearing the tiny particles could increase the risk of infertility and cancer — a study has reported. Experts from the Arizona State University are the first to show that the tiny plastic particles — which form when larger plastics break down — can enter … Read more
Clothing is more prone to shredding microscopic plastic fibres into our waterways if it has been manufactured using scissors, a new study reveals. In experiments, scissor-cut textiles shed up to 31 times more micro-fibres than laser-cut textiles, Swiss researchers found. When clothes are washed, or items are discarded as litter, tiny fibres are released and … Read more
Thousands of pieces of microplastic particles flow down the Thames every second and have been found in the stomachs of 95 per cent of crabs, researcher discover. Experts from the Royal Holloway University studied how high levels of microplastics are impacting the River Thames, including its water column and shoreline. Three separate studies by students … Read more
Tiny microplastic particles can be absorbed through plant roots and end up in the wheat and vegetables we eat, study shows Researchers studied ways microplastics are able to enter the human food chain They found that some particles were entering the roots of human edible food Plastic pieces reached the plants after accumulating in soil … Read more
Microplastic pollution has been found in the digestive tract of one of the most isolated animals on Earth – the earwig-like Antarctican springtail Scientists tested springtails clinging to polystyrene found on an Antarctic beach This revealed they had ingested microplastics from the man-made waste Study reveals first time microplastics have been found in Antarctic food … Read more
Tiny pieces of plastic, known as microplastics, are filling the Earth’s atmosphere and have been discovered raining down on US national parks like the Grand Canyon. Researchers from Utah State University used high-resolution equipment to discover samples of this plastic pollution that had rained down from the atmosphere. More than 1,000 tons of microplastics were … Read more
Mussel beds act as traps for microplastic pollution dumped in the ocean by slowing the sea water flowing over them, research shows Experts experimented with flowing water over different mussel reef structures When the mussels clumped together like in nature, the flow became turbulent This increased threefold the amount of microplastic ingested by the mussels By Ian … Read more