Written by Darren Kan
Edited by Yinwa Yung
Recently, a new study shows that the effects of microplastics in our bodies are worse than what is initially expected. microplastics are plastic particles with a diameter of less than
5 millimeters (mm). They can occur as a result of plastics degrading mechanically and environmentally, as well as condensation caused by the heating or burning of plastics in the atmosphere.
Generally, when we ingest microplastics, they have these 5 effects on our body:
influence on the immunological response of cells
the ability to break through the cell wall
cellular damage
ability to change the genetic structure of a cell
The study also revealed that cell survival is influenced by the shape of MPs, with irregularly shaped MPs being the most detrimental and potentially inducing cell death.
Microplastics have been discovered in the deep ocean, Arctic snow, and Antarctic ice, according to researchers. microplastics are also found in large concentrations in seafood, table salt, and drinking water, and are the subject of these studies as they pertain to people. Unfortunately, microplastics are completely caused by water pollution, which is one of the most devasting problems that currently exist.
What Is Water Pollution?
When dangerous substances—often chemicals or microorganisms—contaminate a stream, river, lake, ocean, aquifer, or other body of water, the water quality deteriorates and the water becomes toxic to humans or the environment.
This is called water pollution.
Why is water pollution a problem?
Water pollution is the second leading form of death by pollution, the United Nations estimates that 2.2 billion people lack access to safe drinking water, and in 2017, 1.8 million people died as a result of water pollution. Moreover, Over half of the world's population lacks access to properly managed sanitation facilities, and around 2 billion people live in nations with severe water scarcity, which means that the amount of water supplied is insufficient to meet demand.
Adding to that, around 785 million people do not have access to safe drinking water, and according to experts, half of the world's population will live in a water-stressed environment by 2025.
A combination of hazardous water sources and a lack of sanitation is frequently the culprit (because limited water supplies make basic hygiene tough). Water pollution is known to cause death through the spreading of diarrheal diseases and typhoid.
And even if it doesn't kill you, it can make you severely sick. Every year, one billion people are affected by waterborne pollution. While these diseases typically affect low- to middle-income countries, the researchers of recent studies have shown how fast first-world water sanitation improvements can be eroded.
What Causes Water Pollution?
Water is very susceptible to pollution. Water, also known as a "universal solvent," can dissolve more chemicals than any other liquid on the planet. We have Kool-Aid and vivid blue waterfalls because of it. It's also the reason why water is so easily contaminated. Toxic compounds from farms, cities, and factories easily dissolve and combine with it, polluting the water.
6 simple ways on how we can prevent water pollution:
Pick up litter and dispose of it in a trash container.
If fertilizer gets onto paved surfaces, blow or sweep it back into the grass. Don't fertilize your lawn immediately before a rainstorm. The chemicals will end up in storm drains and rivers.
Grass or yard waste can be mulched or composted. If you can't compost it, leave it in your yard. Leaves should not be blown into the street. Storm drains become clogged and damaged as a result of this.
Instead of a street, wash your automobile or outdoor equipment where the water can drain to gravel or grassy area.
Do not flush your motor oil down the toilet. Bring it to your local auto parts store. It's completely free!
Never hose down a spill into a storm drain to clean it up. Cover the spill with kitty litter, sand, or similar absorbent. When the liquid has solidified, sweep it up and dispose of it in a garbage bin.
Bibliography:
Denchak, M. (2018, May 14). Water Pollution: Everything You Need to Know. NRDC. Retrieved January 30, 2022, from https://www.nrdc.org/stories/water-pollution-everything-you-need-know
E., & Pierre-Louis, K. (2021, April 26). Pollution kills nine million people a year. Popular Science. https://www.popsci.com/nine-million-people-killed-pollution/
Eske, J. (2019, April 9). What are the health benefits of mineral water? Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324910#outlook
Gallagher, R. M. N. (2021, December 20). ‘We are ingesting microplastics at levels consistent with harmful effects.’ Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/we-are-ingesting-microplastics-at-levels-consistent-with-harmful-effects
RaleighNC.gov. (n.d.). Raleighnc.Gov. https://raleighnc.gov
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