Microplastics are everywhere, but are they harming us?
Microplastics have been found in the ocean and the air, in our food and water. They have been found in a wide range of body tissues, including the heart, liver, kidneys and even testicles......»»
Yet another problem with recycling: It spews microplastics
One recycling facility emits as much as 3 million pounds of microplastics a year. Enlarge (credit: Getty Images) The plastics industry has long hyped recycling, even though it is well awarethat it’s been a failure. Wor.....»»
Yet Another Problem With Recycling: It Spews Microplastics
Recycling was already a mess. Now a study finds that one facility may emit 3 million pounds of microplastics a year......»»
Microplastics have infected critical Arctic ice algae
A critical component of the food web in the Arctic is at risk. According to a new study published in the journal Environmental Science and … The post Microplastics have infected critical Arctic ice algae appeared first on BGR. A crit.....»»
A Critical Arctic Organism Is Now Infested With Microplastics
The algae Melosira arctica is the foundation of the food chain, and its contamination could have major consequences for ecosystems and the climate......»»
Arctic ice algae heavily contaminated with microplastics, reports new research
The alga Melosira arctica, which grows under Arctic sea ice, contains ten times as many microplastic particles as the surrounding seawater. This concentration at the base of the food web poses a threat to creatures that feed on the algae at the sea s.....»»
Q&A: Two ways researchers are studying marine microplastics
Tiny pieces of plastic in the ocean might seem innocuous on their own, but their growing presence is a frustrating issue facing marine ecosystems. The particles' small size makes them difficult to clean up, and it also allows them to easily burrow in.....»»
77% more microplastics found in River Thames during lockdown may be due to discarded face masks and PPE, research shows
At a first glance the COVID-19 pandemic seemed to have a positive impact on the environment, with significant decreases in greenhouse gas emissions, and transport-related noise, air and light pollution......»»
Amazon, Microsoft could face UK antitrust probe over cloud services
Britain's media and communications regulator Ofcom says it has "significant concerns" that Amazon and Microsoft could be harming competition in UK cloud services......»»
Study shows soil pollution in urban green spaces and natural areas is similar
An international study shows that soil in urban green spaces and natural areas share similar levels of multiple contaminants such as metals, pesticides, microplastics and antibiotic resistance genes around the world. Soil contamination is one of the.....»»
Scientists shed light on how macrophages interact with microplastics
A large portion of the nearly 200 million tons of single-use plastic produced globally ends up discarded as waste. The eventual breakdown of this plastic into microplastics—0.1–1000 µm-sized particles—is a cause for concern. Humans are exposed.....»»
Pulsing ultrasound waves could someday remove microplastics from waterways
Colorful particles of plastic drift along under the surface of most waterways, from headwater streams to the Arctic Ocean. These barely visible microplastics—less than 5 mm wide—are potentially harmful to aquatic animals and plants, as well as hu.....»»
Study finds plastic fibers stunt growth in mussels by more than a third—here"s why this is a concern
Plastic pollution poses a threat to marine wildlife. The plastic bags, bottles and straws that we see strewn across beaches have long been identified as a danger. But tiny fragments of plastic—called microplastics—that are less than 5mm in size a.....»»
Microplastics limit energy production in tiny freshwater species
Microplastic pollution reduces energy production in a microscopic creature found in freshwater worldwide, new research shows......»»
Microplastics Are Polluting the Ocean at a Shocking Rate
Some 11 billion pounds of plastic particles are blanketing the surface alone. But a new study points to hope—if countries act now......»»
South Africa"s energy crisis "harming research integrity"
Researchers in South Africa are feeling the effects of the country's continuing power cuts and fear for the impact the electricity crisis is having on their research output......»»
Microplastics: Are plastic alternatives any safer for our health?
Plastic pollution is now pervasive in our environment, contaminating everywhere from our homes and workplaces to the planet's deepest recesses. The problem regularly makes headlines, with the spotlight turned toward ocean pollution in particular......»»
Looking beyond microplastics: Cotton and synthetic microfibers impact behavior and growth of aquatic organisms
While microplastics have received significant attention in recent years for their negative environmental impacts, a new study from Oregon State University scientists found microfibers from synthetic materials as well as cotton impacted the behavior a.....»»
DOJ sues Google over its dominance in online advertising market
The Justice Department and eight states sued Google on Tuesday, accusing the company of harming competition with its dominance in the online advertising market and calling for it to be broken up......»»
Study argues new economies, not top-down wars on drugs, needed in Colombia, Afghanistan and Myanmar
Top-down approaches to tackling substance abuse in drug-ravaged parts of Colombia, Afghanistan and Myanmar are harming livelihoods, health and ecology, a new study warns......»»
Virus plus microplastics equal double whammy for fish health
Microplastics—tiny particles generated as plastics weather and fragment—pose a growing threat to ecosystem and human health. A new laboratory study shows these threats extend beyond direct physical or chemical impacts, revealing that the presence.....»»