Microplastic pollution a real global danger

Abstract

Plastic pollution in the oceans and inland waters is a serious problem that affects not only the aquatic environment, but also humans. People are potentially exposed to microplastics through food, drink and air. Polyester fiber is one of the most abundant types of microplastics in the environment. Much of the fiber that enters wastewater treatment plants reaches sewage sludge, which is used as soil fertilizer in many countries. Therefore, preventive and corrective measures should be taken at international, governmental and consumer level to assess the toxicity of common polymers, to reduce the use of plastic and to encourage the use of alternative materials, recycling and the adoption of sustainable practices in the use of plastics and plastic pollution management. There is growing evidence that microplastic pollution (plastic particles below 5 mm in size) is now present in almost all marine ecosystems, even in remote areas, such as the Arctic and Antarctic. Once released into the marine environment the ecological fate of microplastics primarily depends on the density of the polymer that influences buoyancy, position in the water column and possible interaction with the biota.