While many people are aware that microplastics pollution is now pervasive in our ocean systems, it can be hard to grasp the scale of the problem. It can be even harder to reckon with the fact that we are breathing in microplastics from the air.
A new data visualisation tool ‘Plastic Air’ demonstrates that “one thing is clear: Although microplastics picked up in a breeze are basically invisible, they’re everywhere.”
So what?
With broader awareness, and through tools that enable comprehension of the scale of the issue, there is hope more funding and attention to the issue of atmospheric micro plastics. Funding which would ideally lead research into how this pollution occurs, the ramifications for human and planetary health, and resolutions for a healthier future.
Phil Cox: “What’s important here is that we didn’t want to alarm just for the sake of it. You can’t just tell people that something is bad and hope they believe it. You have to make it real.”
Sources
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Drink lattes? Order takeout? You’re breathing in invisible toxins https://www.fastcompany.com/90627950/drink-lattes-order-takeout-youre-breathing-in-invisible-toxins -
Plastic Air https://artsexperiments.withgoogle.com/plasticair/ -
Women-led innovation to refashion textiles to reduce ocean microplastics - UNDP Innovations and Actions for the Ocean https://oceaninnovationsandactions.exposure.co/womenled-innovation-to-refashion-textiles-to-reduce-ocean-microplastics
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