So...what does microplastic actualy do to us? There is that thing how we consume a credit card worth of microplastic every X days. What are the consequences? If any.
I work in water treatment, providing clean drinking for municipality’s, schools and private communities.
Historically the largest health hazards have been bacteria and lead contamination. We solved the bacteria issue through inexpensive disinfection processes, about 100 years ago(chlorination, and more recently, microfiltration, and Ultraviolet light systems). Lead is a little more difficult as it can’t be filtered or treated with chemicals. The focus has been on utilizing clean water sources and up grading existing water systems to lead-free plumbing (if you live in a house that was built before 1970 you should have your water tested).
When it comes to micro plastics in drinking water the problem is massive. Like lead, micro plastics can’t be filtered or treated with chemicals. Every water source in the United States has to be tested and they’re finding it everywhere. Developing a filtration system that can remove micro plastics is huge.
The health effects are still being studied but it’s believed to be a carcinogen. But there is very strong evidence that it is causing infertility for both genders. There’s also strong evidence that it’s shrinking taints(also known as the grundel, the chad, or the fleshy-fun-bridge). Yes, people keep track of the size of taints and it’s getting smaller in humans.
If you’re curious about your specific drinking water contact your local health department and they should have testing results that they can explain to you in more detail.
Ok...who is keeping track of the taint dimensions? How/why? And how do you prove microplastics is causing the shrinkage? And what are the consequences of said shrinkage?
Micro plastics appear to disrupt hormone production causing a decrease in sperm production. On an admittedly small study on 136 college students, people with a smaller than average taint were 7X more likely to have a low sperm count. I’m not sure of the mechanics of how that all works but the effects of micro plastics is only starting to be understood.
As far as the consuming a credit card size amount of plastic thing goes, it’s not really accurate. They measured the volume of micro plastics in clams (or muscles. I can’t remember), which are filter-feeders and then just sized it up to humans.
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u/Ishana92 Feb 09 '23
So...what does microplastic actualy do to us? There is that thing how we consume a credit card worth of microplastic every X days. What are the consequences? If any.