According to the study conducted recently, the people of Southeast Asian countries, namely Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, consume microplastics daily in large portions, surpassing the people of all other countries and regions in the world.

In April, Cornell University researchers conducted research to map the intake of microplastics across 109 countries.

The research revealed that Indonesian people are the top consumers of microplastics in a month. Consuming approximately 15 grams, which is about three credit cards in total. These numbers are staggering, with projected daily intake rates ranging between 16,800 and 68,500 particles, which is 59 times more than in 1990 and 2018. Most of these plastic particles are mainly claimed to come from water and, therefore, water products such as fish and sea foods.

Microplastics, which are plastic particles less than 5 mm in size, come in the form of fibers, fragments, or granules. These are produced when plastic products degrade or are released from synthetic textiles. Additionally, accidental spills and poor handling of plastic pellets, the raw materials used in plastic production, can lead to their release into the environment.

Airborne Microplastics: Sources and Impacts

The authors of the paper observed that traditional waste management practices like open dumping are proving inadequate for the rising volumes of plastic waste, particularly in rapidly developing nations such as Indonesia and Malaysia. Consequently, these countries generate over 30,000 tons of mismanaged waste each year.

Microplastics
Image Source: Microplastics

Plastic waste disposed of without proper disposal in open dumps or landfills can easily be washed away by rainwater into water sources. There, it is ingested by phytoplankton and zooplankton, animal forms of life, which in turn are food for fish and other animals. For instance, individuals consume plastics indirectly when they eat fish and other sea animals.

One of the recent studies, carried out by the Environmental Science & Technology journal, proved that among 109 countries, Chinese and Mongolian people inhaled the most microplastics, more than 2. 8 million a month.

The study found that people living in the Mediterranean and regions in the vicinity inhaled considerably less than 670 microplastic particles per day, even though households in Spain, Portugal, and Hungary, for instance, were found to be inhaling between 60,000 and 240,000 particles a month. The study also pointed out that suspended microplastics in the air, like dust, originate from the wear and tear of plastics, for instance, those used in tires. Furthermore, microplastic discharges occur during the synthesis of artificial fabrics, as well as throughout the washing and wearing processes.

Fengqi You, co-author and professor of energy systems engineering at Cornell University, said 

“Industrialization in developing economies, particularly in East and South Asia, has led to increased consumption of plastic materials, waste generation, and human microplastic uptake.”

However, he noted that developed countries are experiencing a reversal of this trend, thanks to their greater economic resources for reducing and removing plastic waste. Microplastics have become a significant environmental issue, affecting even the ocean's deepest regions and the highest mountains. Despite this, there is still limited evidence demonstrating that microplastics have a detrimental effect on human health.

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