Beijing, September 25 (Wei Xianghui) diameter of less than 5 mm, even to the nanometer level, the naked eye is almost difficult to find microplastics, but people unknowingly eat, drink or inhale into the body. Research has found that they may become another "invisible killer" of human health. At present, many places in China have issued relevant regulations to strengthen plastic treatment.

Microplastics may harm the liver and lungs

Recently, a study on microplastics can harm the liver and lungs has been trending on Weibo. The research was published in the environmental science journal Environment & Research (EnvironmentalScience& Amp; Technology). Laboratory results suggest that nanoscale microplastics may enter liver and lung cells and disrupt their normal processes, causing adverse effects on organs.

In the past, people's understanding of microplastics was mainly reflected in the environmental impact. In 2004, RichardThompson and others from the University of Plymouth in the United Kingdom published a paper on plastic debris in Marine water bodies and sediments in the international academic journal Science, putting forward the concept of microplastics.

In 2016, at the second United Nations Environment Assembly, microplastic pollution was listed as the second biggest scientific problem in the field of environmental and ecological science research. In 2017, at the G20 Summit held in Hamburg, Germany, the "G20 Marine Litter Action Plan" was adopted, making microplastic pollution a priority in the global agenda.

In the past two years, scientists have gradually discovered that microplastics can harm human health. In 2021, a research team from the State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Utilization, School of Environment, Nanjing University, also published a study in the journal Environment & Research. Technology, found that elevated levels of microplastics in the body may exacerbate intestinal inflammation.

Ubiquitous microplastics

For a long time, plastic was considered an inert substance. It is believed that after entering the human body, microplastics are excreted out of the body through the gastrointestinal tract and biliary tract. However, animal studies have shown that microplastics are less than 10 %. Microplastics that are smaller than 10 m can cross cell membranes into the circulatory system and reach other tissues.

In 2022, a paper published in the journal Environmental International by a research team from Vrije University Amsterdam in the Netherlands reported that microplastics had been found in human blood, which further raised concerns about the long-term effects of microplastics on human health.

In fact, microplastics, which are indistinguishable to the naked eye, infiltrate almost every aspect of daily life. The Nanjing University study, for example, found that participants who drank bottled water more often, ate takeout food, and worked in jobs that exposed them to dust had more microplastics in their feces. In addition, personal care products such as body wash, toothpaste and sunscreen, as well as waste water from washing clothes in washing machines, can contain microplastics.

Some relevant researchers suggest that we should not abuse plastic products in our lives, and not throw them away after use; Try to choose degradable plastic products, including choosing natural materials such as wool or cotton when buying clothes; When choosing personal care products, also pay attention to the ingredient list, and try not to use plastic scrub ingredients; And do a good job of garbage classification is also conducive to reducing the damage of microplastics, so that waste classification and plastic recycling complement each other.

Strengthen plastic governance

China's plastic pollution control is also actively promoted, Shanxi, Henan and other places have introduced relevant regulations.

In September 2021, the Notice of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the National Development and Reform Commission on issuing the "14th Five-Year Plan" Action Plan for Plastic pollution Control mentioned that It is prohibited to produce ultra-thin plastic shopping bags with a thickness of less than 0.025 mm, polyethylene agricultural mulching films with a thickness of less than 0.01 mm, daily chemical products containing plastic beads and other products that are harmful to the environment and human health.

In July 2021, the 30th meeting of the Standing Committee of the 13th People's Congress of Shanxi Province passed the "Regulations of Shanxi Province on Prohibiting non-degradable disposable Plastic Products", which will be implemented on July 1, 2022. The regulations specify the prohibition and restriction of non-degradable disposable plastic products to implement list management.

In January 2022, Henan Province announced the Measures for the Classification and Management of Municipal Solid Waste in Henan Province, which will take effect on March 1, 2022. Article 16: The production, sale and use of non-degradable disposable plastic products are prohibited in accordance with the law. Article 19 stipulates that catering service providers and catering distribution service providers shall not voluntarily provide disposable chopsticks, spoons and other tableware to consumers. (Finished)

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