Although they are invisible to the naked eye, microplastics are found everywhere in our ecosystems, highlight researchers from Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Their research indicates that the average person consumes around 50,000 microplastic particles and inhales up to 70,000 particles every year. Despite their small size, microplastics present significant risks, prompting innovative entrepreneurs to seek viable solutions to this growing issue.
Microplastics: The Hidden Threat in Our Water
In Canada, an estimated 3 million tonnes of plastic will be discarded this year, with a staggering 91% going unrecycled. This plastic eventually fragments into microplastics—particles smaller than 5 millimeters, often too small to be seen—resulting in widespread contamination of soil, water, and air.
Sources of microplastics extend beyond the obvious culprits like plastic bottles and takeout containers. They can originate from unexpected items including household paints, cleaning products, exfoliating scrubs, and synthetic textiles.
This form of pollution is virtually inescapable; it is present in the air—especially indoors—in human bloodstream, and even in maternal milk. Research conducted in the Great Lakes found that every fish sampled contained microplastic contamination.
Even isolated locations are not immune; recent extensive testing in the Canadian Arctic revealed microplastics in extensive samples of ice, soil, and water.
Microplastics: A Growing Health Concern
The issue of microplastic pollution is recent yet escalating rapidly. Researchers are working diligently to understand the potential health implications. Notably, advancements were made only two years ago when scientists developed a method to detect microplastics in human blood, revealing their widespread presence.
Many unanswered questions remain regarding the health impacts of microplastics, though preliminary studies suggest they may be linked to inflammation, oxidative stress—which can heighten risks for numerous health conditions, including heart disease—cancer, and neurotoxicity.
“As we age, our ability to efficiently eliminate toxins diminishes, causing microplastics to build up over time, possibly resulting in severe health concerns,” explains attorney C.L. Mike Schmidt, who specializes in the implications of microplastic pollution. He warns that growing evidence suggests a potential link between microplastics and serious diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.
Innovative Solutions on the Horizon
The pressing question remains: can technology help us overcome our plastic dependency? While researchers are busy determining the full impact of microplastics on environmental and human health, innovative thinkers are actively pursuing solutions to combat this rising crisis.
For example, a recent breakthrough involves microorganisms engineered to digest plastic, converting it into beneficial compounds like vanilla flavoring and components for pharmaceuticals and fragrances.
The challenge extends to rethinking the plastics we use. Traditional plastics proliferate indefinitely, breaking down only into smaller fragments known as nanoplastics. Some organizations are exploring alternatives such as polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), a type of biodegradable plastic.
“PHA is produced from bacterial fermentation of sugars or lipids, making it a safer, eco-friendly option compared to conventional plastics,” states Schmidt. “Unlike standard plastics that may take centuries to decompose and leach harmful chemicals, PHA offers natural biodegradation in diverse environments, minimizing ecological risks and protecting wildlife.”
Furthermore, “PHA is far more biocompatible than traditional plastics, which means it can be processed by our bodies instead of remaining within,” adds registered dietitian nutritionist Catherine Rall.
Canadian entrepreneurs are at the forefront of this initiative. Scarborough’s Genecis Bioindustries has pioneered a method using genetically modified bacteria to transform food waste into PHAs.
The resultant plastic can be utilized across various sectors, including packaging, clothing, single-use plastics like food containers, and medical devices. According to founder Luna Yu, these bioplastics can fully compost in as little as 30 days, and if they land in ocean environments, they decompose within a year without creating microplastics.
Similar initiatives exist elsewhere; BOSK Bioproducts in Quebec produces PHAs from industrial waste such as paper manufacturing sludge. On the west coast, BioForm—a startup from the University of British Columbia—creates bioplastics from pulp fiber, kelp, and salt, offering biodegradable alternatives to traditional plastics.
The future of plastics is evolving, with a focus on preventing the permanence of microplastics in our ecosystem.
This article was originally published in the October 2024 issue of Thewindowsclubs magazine.
