How Nano-Plastics affects our environment : 8 Ways to reduce its pollution

What are Nanoplastics and their sources?

Why are nano plastics particles more dangerous than particles of inert substances?

How nano plastics make their way into our bodies. Whether we like it or not?

What could be the effects on the environment due to these particles?

What are the strategies to diminish their consequence?

These are the questions that every environment-conscious person would like to know. In this post, you will be amazed to know how nano plastics affect our environment and eight ways to reduce pollution.

No doubt, plastics have become a need of everyone. We use it to preserve food to communicate with the world, and much more. But this excellent material becomes one of the worst human-created environmental disasters.

After visualizing images of sea beaches or landfills covered with plastic bottles, bags, or other commonly used plastic material, it is tough to remain unconcerned about plastic pollution.

What Is Nano plastics?

The natural potential environmental hazard of plastic comes from plastic particles which are smaller than a few micrometers. Scientists are started using the term “nano plastic” for these particles. However, the exact definition of nano plastic is still under debate. Still, Gigault et al.( 2018) defined nano plastic as inadvertently produced particles in size range from 1 to 1000nm that show colloidal behavior.

Sources Of Nano plastic

These smaller particles can be produced by the degradation of microplastic or might be released directly from industrial and domestic sources. Their primary sources vary broadly from agricultural textiles and runoff, tires, paints, urban dust, etc. Other vital sources are beauty, personal care, and health products, mainly facial and body scrubs used topically on the skin.

Synthetic clothing is another source of airborne nano plastic in indoor and outdoor environments as they release microplastic fibers that change into nanoparticles.

Why Nano plastic More Dangerous Than Particles Of Inert Substance

The size of nano plastic is so tiny that it could not be possible to see by naked eyes or even sometimes under a simple optical microscope. Not only do plants and animals ingest these particles, but some microbes also live on the surface of nano plastics that form a slimy biofilm. This biofilm provides a novel habitat for colonization of pathogens and antibiotic-resistant genes through horizontal gene transfer. These pathogens can be moved very quickly due to rapid water movement from their origin to another location and spreading the potential diseases.

These particles are so minute that they absorb very readily by terrestrial as well as aquatic animals. They interact with other common pollutants in the environment such as pharmaceuticals, metals, and other contaminants make adverse effects. So, that is why these are more dangerous than inert substances.

Impact On Environment

In the past 100 years, humans have produced a lot of plastic due to its cheap, light, strong, and versatile character. Most of the used plastic is thrown away by consumers after a single use, which has become an enormous problem that ends up in our ocean and landfill, and other waterways. This discarded plastic breaking down into micro size and then in nano size.

Several earlier studies reported the effect nano plastic has on the environment. In recent research shows that these nanoparticles harm both marines as well as terrestrial animals. 

Impact Of Nano Plastic On Aquatic Organisms :

After visualizing the seashore conditions, we can guess how these plastic materials are dangerous for aquatic life. There is a potential risk that nano plastic can penetrate tissues much more quickly due to its nano-size instead of being stuck in the gut of marine creatures. The presence of nano plastic particles has been observed in the tissues and organs of aquatic animals, including fishes' brains.

Studies show these minute particles of plastic can adversely affect at different stages of development, growth, and immune system of aquatic organisms.

A comprehensive review by the team of researchers led by the IAEA has recently published in the journal of Environmental science and Technology in 2020, consider how usually fishes consume nano plastic particles.

The study revealed that biological functions like intestinal micro-biome diversity, metabolism, intestinal permeability, and neurological behavior of these fishes are greatly affected.

Impact Of Nano Plastic On Humans:

There are three key routes by which nano plastic enter the human body :

• Inhalation,
• Ingestion and
• Skin contact

Inhaled airborne nano plastics originate from urban dust like synthetic textile and rubber tires etc. Nano plastics will be ingested as they are common in the food chain and water supplies. Due to nano size, these particles pass through sweat glands, hair follicles, or in some cases, through wounds on the skin membrane.

Scientists suspect that nano plastics could affect the composition and diversity of our microbiome. According to some studies, there is estimated that up to 90% of the ingested nano plastics are excreted. The remaining leftover may increase the expression of inflammatory markers within the immune system cell populations.

These tiny particles are capable of crossing cell membranes causing oxidative stress and inflammation. They have been linked with an increased risk of death from respiratory disease, lung cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. 

Strategies To Diminishes their Consequences

The best we can do to protect our environment is to follow some strategies to diminish their effects are described below :

1. Reduce The Use Of Single-Use Plastics :

Single-use plastic includes plastic bags, straws, cups, water bottles, and any other plastic items used once and then discarded. To diminishes the effect, always choose reusable versions of these products.

1. Air Dry Your Clothes :

Studies revealed that washing and drying synthetic fibers might release about 70,000 microplastic threads that incidentally change into nano plastic particles into the environment. Simply drying clothes in the air or reducing their time in the dryer can help diminish their effects.

1. Try To Limit Seafood:

The source of nano plastics in a human being can be seafood.  Since nano plastic seems to be entering the food chain, so limiting the consumption of seafood.

1. Avoid Beauty Products With Microbeads :

Microbeads are small pieces of plastic added to some beauty and health products such as facial scrubs, toothpaste, etc. By avoiding this, you can help discourage manufacturers who make such types of products.

1. Always Use Clothes Made By Synthetic Fibres :

Synthetic clothing fibers may contribute to nano-plastic pollution. Always use clothes made from natural fibers such as cotton.

1. Proper Recycling The Plastic Products :

When you use single-use plastic or others, always be sure to recycle them. Recycling helps keep plastic out of the environment and reduces the new plastic in circulation.

1. Support Bans :

You can support the adoption of such policies in your communities that have enacted bans on single-use plastics.

1. Spread The Word Against Plastic Pollution :

Tell your friends and family about the hazardous effects of nano plastics and how they can be part of the solution.

Here in this post, let’s look at various sources, effects, and strategies to diminish the consequence of nano plastic pollution. So, next time you go shopping, don’t forget to carry your cloth and paper bag and always remember these solutions to save the environment.

“Modern society will find no solution to the ecological problem unless it takes a serious look at its lifestyle.” – Pope John Paul