Microplastics Pollution

A Silent Killer?

I don’t remember when it happened, but somewhere along the line, my family became distrustful of tap water and began buying bottled water at the corner grocery store. I thought very little about it as it was happening—pure spring water or anything “purified” sounded good to me.

My research on the topic indicated that concerns about water pollution resulted in Perrier introducing premium bottled water in the late 1970s. In the 1980s, plastic PET bottles were introduced, and bottled water became cheaper, lighter, and more accessible. In the 1990s, major beverage companies began to market bottled water as a healthier alternative to soda and, again, emphasized its “pure” advantage over tap water. At the turn of the Century, in the early 2000s, high-profile water contamination cases in Walkerton, Ontario, and Flint, Michigan, heightened fears about unsafe drinking water. Today, due mainly to health concerns about soda and tap water, bottled water is the most consumed packaged beverage in the United States. While people continue to use tap water for bathing, laundry, cleaning, etc., they’ve turned away from drinking tap water—fear of health risks and chemicals, brilliant marketing and branding by bottled water companies, convenience, and taste preferences lead the list of reasons.

In the United States and Canada, tap water is highly regulated and generally safe to drink. The EPA and Health Canada enforce strict water quality standards. However, our infrastructure is aging (something to which President Biden paid attention and President Trump will likely ignore), and communities are hesitant to trust their drinking water.

Why do I raise this issue in a political-legal newsletter? By drinking bottled water, we seek to protect ourselves and our loved ones from one environmental concern and contribute to a far more serious and hazardous waste issue. We discard an administration that demonstrates concern for and implements policies to improve the environment and our nation’s crumbling infrastructure and elect a new (old) president who cares little about either.

Are you familiar with the term “microplastics?” These tiny plastic particles measure less than 5 millimeters (mm) in size. Some small plastic particles are manufactured for specific uses like cosmetics, toothpaste, or cleaning products. Some result from a breakdown of larger plastic items due to environmental exposure. Plastic bottles, bags, containers, and other packaging fit this category. We have become a throwaway community—we use and discard plastic bottles, eating utensils, plates, bowls, cartons, cups, and numerous other products.

As a result, microplastics are now widespread in our:

Water sources – Oceans, rivers, lakes, and even tap and bottled water.

Food – Seafood, salt, honey, fruits, and vegetables.

Air – Tiny plastic particles are suspended in the air and can be inhaled.

Human bodies – Microplastics have been found in blood, lungs, and even the placenta.

Are you concerned yet? You should be. These microplastics are a major source of pollution and persist in ecosystems for centuries. They are ingested by marine life, including fish and shellfish, which then enter the food chain, eventually reach humans, contaminate food, and are linked to inflammation, toxicity, and endocrine disruption. They can carry harmful chemicals, including endocrine disruptors and carcinogens. Studies suggest microplastics can accumulate in human organs, potentially causing inflammation or other health issues. Microplastics contaminate freshwater sources, including the Great Lakes and major rivers. Soil contamination affects agriculture, potentially impacting food safety. Microplastics have been found in the stomachs of birds, fish, and mammals, leading to malnutrition and health problems. Toxic chemicals attached to microplastics can disrupt ecosystems and biodiversity. Because microplastics are nearly impossible to remove once released into the environment, it is crucial to address plastic waste at its source.

America’s love affair with Donald Trump is a concern for many reasons. His blatant disregard for all things environmental is one such concern. The cost of filtering microplastics from water and food sources is high. Even before this new administration, North America got a failing grade on limiting or regulating microplastic pollution compared to European countries. Consumer products (bottled water, containers, packaging, cosmetics) continue to be significant sources of microplastics. We must strengthen regulations on plastic production and waste management, invest in research on biodegradable alternatives, improve wastewater treatment processes, and reduce plastic use by supporting bans on single-use plastics.

None of these solutions will be possible in the Trump era. Congratulations, America. In your quest for purer water and a different approach to governing, you assured our exposure to these dangerous microplastics for many years to come. Trump or no Trump, America must soon address the risks associated with microplastics and make the changes necessary to eliminate them from our environment. Microplastics have become a critical issue in the 21^st Century. Will you be part of the problem or part of the solution?