Microplastic and Nanoplastic: Causation, Issues and Solutions

Plastic has been a pressing subject for discussion ever since its invention. It is extremely convenient to use and produce. However, plastic poses increasingly problematic threats to both the health of the environment and the public. Especially for microplastic and nano plastic, which are the byproducts of the degradation of large pieces of plastic. These smaller pieces can infiltrate the bodies of animals and travel up the food chain, detrimentally affecting the ecosystem. Furthermore, when microplastic enters the bodies of humans through food consumption and respiration, it causes an array of health problems. The endocrine system can malfunction due to the harmful chemicals added into plastic present in microplastic. To solve this issue, more policies should be made regarding the treatment of plastic, the amount of plastic produced, and teaching the population about the issues regarding microplastic. This paper provides in depth research regarding the cause of the microplastic pandemic, issues that it can inflict, and potential solutions to combat these problems.