Microplastics: How much do we consume and from which sources?
molecularspec.substack.com
molecularspec.substack.com
Water filters frequently use a very fine plastic mesh as their filter medium (eg. 'melt blown 5um polypropylene sediment filter'). I would expect that to give off a rather large number of particles the first time water is passed through it, and perhaps a good amount on an ongoing basis too since the mesh will flex with varying water flow.
Since people wanting to avoid pollution are likely to have water filters installed, it seems important to know how much pollution they are adding to the water they are trying to clean.
The lid handle is invariably made of plastic.
Some details on the research here: https://e360.yale.edu/features/tire-pollution-toxic-chemical...
In part 1 of the post he mentions the molecular size of PFAs, and in part 2 he mentions benzene. I think "size" is not the relevant property - it's "does this molecule get imported into cells and alter some component of their activity". While molecular size is related to this, it's more about presence of transporters on the cells, hydrophobicity of the molecules, how the liver handles them (e.g. phase I/II metabolism) etc.
You can contrast this with asbestos, which is dangerous because it mechanically disrupts mucus clearance in the lungs without being imported into cells (also why asbestos + smoke is very dangerous, but asbestos alone probably not nearly as problematic).
Microplastics increase the surface area for degradation in the body, and thus might increase intestinal (and then blood) concentrations of plastic component chemicals or heavy metals they complex with. However, I think it's mainly a phenomenon of degradation in the intestine and then import into the blood stream. Contrast this with "microplastics get into the bloodstream intact". While there might be some of that going on (e.g. phagocytosis by macrophages, eosinophils, etc) I think it's the wrong mental model.
As a bit of reference, remember that your large intestine contains about 1E13 microbes/gram of digesta, and they are 0.2-2um in size. If the intestine let things of that size in at high rate we'd all have sepsis all the time
a) compounds which induce a chemical reaction inside cells and as a result cause damage. Benzene, PFAS, phtalates, BPA etc are in this category. Size is less relevant but usually these are smaller and more reactive molecules.
b) small particulates, which are still probably much larger than those in group a). Thinking here microplastics, asbestos, PM10. These particulates are not necessarily super reactive with our cells, but they can cause problems through physical accumulation(?). So the question is: does the size of microplastic particles matter? Ie if I get 1K of 100 micron microplastic particles vs. 1K of 1 micron - does that alter my health risk?
This is not that hard to accomplish and I've done it somewhat by default just by being a bit mindful about how my fabrics feel.
Still, I'm curious about your comment. I assume the airborne particles are from synthetic materials? Are any from soaps that go through the cycle, and if so, is liquid or powder a better option? It would be interesting to see data on microplastics in our laundry since most of what I see is focused on foods and water supply.
What do you mean by that? Be aware that most people dry their clothes the usual way - by hanging them. Does it release microplastics?
From context it’s quite evident GP is referring to machine drying. Clotheslines don’t have a lint trap.
Thanks, I don't even know what it is.
Therefore, I wonder how much your location impacts the amount of microplastics you consume.
If you are located in Los Angeles is your intake higher than someone from Winnipeg?
Is living in Australia or New Zealand significantly advantageous to living in Europe or the US?
If so, by how much?
That makes it sound like you're going to come into contact with it no matter where you go. It's still a question of severity, but it suggests you aren't safe from it anywhere.