The Microplastics Scourge
Trillions of tiny plastic fragments have dispersed throughout the Earth—and most human bodies. It’s one example of how humans have disrupted natural systems with devastating consequences.
By Brian W. Simpson • Illustration by Dung Hoang
By 2022, that had soared to 600 million tons.
Primary microplastics include cosmetic microbeads, abrasive cleaners, and nurdles (tiny plastic pellets that measure less than 5 mm ). Nurdles are melted down to create plastic products such as textiles, air fresheners , paints, etc.
The effects on human health are still being determined, though early studies are cause for concern. Example: A March 2024 study found that microplastics in the carotid plaque of heart disease patients increased the risk of heart attack, stroke, or death by 4.5 times over a three-year period.
Solutions begin with the obvious—produce less plastic.
Alternatives to current plastics include new bio-based materials that degrade in months rather than centuries, and zero-waste strategies that emphasize product reuse.
