Microplastics

Where microplastics come from

● fibres from some during washing

● the breakdown of large pieces of plastic

● waste from industry

● the action of vehicle tyres on roads

Effects of microplastics

● They cause injuries to the of wildlife and affect their digestive systems.

● They enter the food chain, e.g., in bottled and tap water, and seafood.

● They may not affect human health, but they are already banned in skin cleaning products and in some countries.

● Microplastics enter the soil through the air, rain and .

Microplastics in the soil – a study by Anglia Ruskin University

● Earthworms are important because they add to the soil.

● The study aimed to find whether microplastics in earthworms affect the of plants.

● The study found that microplastics caused:

– loss in earthworms

– fewer seeds to germinate

– a rise in the level of in the soil.

The study concluded:

– soil should be seen as an important natural process.

– changes to soil damage both ecosystems and .