World Environment Day is celebrated every year on June 5 to raise awareness about the protection of the environment and also its preservation. It is the collective duty of humans to protect and preserve the environment. Environmental pollution poses a major threat to human health and well-being. From air pollution to water pollution and others, these can be major causes of concern. Amongst these is plastic pollution which affects human health in more than one way. From the food to eat to the water you drink, microplastics are said to be present everywhere.
Plastics which are less than 5 millimetres in size are known as microplastics. These are found in the oceans, soil, water bodies and also in the air. Microplastics originate from plastic containers, bottles and single-use straws among others. Research also says microplastics can also be present in a developing foetus which can have major health impacts. Therefore, it is imperative that you keep a check on the use of plastic.
Microplastics can be a serious cause of concern for human health and can have serious health implications. Here, take a look at the impact of plastic pollution on human health.
- Plastic enters the water bodies which then enters marine life such as birds, fish and plants. When these are consumed by humans, the microplastics then enter the human body which can then cause health issues such as behavioural changes, suffocation, reduced food intake and in extreme cases, also genetic alterations.
- People can also inhale microplastics from the air or ingest them from water or absorb them through the skin. These microplastics then enter different organs and get deposited there. It can also be present in the placenta of newborn babies.