By Aline Bouwman, Marketing and Communications

We’ve all seen the alarming headlines about microplastics – tiny particles of plastic turning up in our oceans, our food and even the air we breathe. But what exactly are microplastics, and why should we be concerned about them? 

Dr. Jessica Clasen is an Instructor in Biology and Faculty Coordinator for the Institute of Urban Ecology  at Douglas College. Specializing in aquatic microbial ecology, oceanography and marine biology, she led a community workshop about these tiny particles that pose such a huge problem.  

We sat down with Jessica to sift through the small stuff and see the bigger picture. 

What are microplastics? 

Microplastics are, as the name suggests, tiny pieces of plastic. Plastic doesn’t decompose, but it can be broken down, by physical and chemical forces, into smaller and smaller pieces we call microplastics. In fact, every molecule of plastic generated over the last 100 years is still here.  These tiny particles are found everywhere, including in lakes, oceans, soils, and in human and animal stomachs, blood, hearts and muscles.  

Plastics have found their way into almost every part of our life, from lightweight food packaging and other products to the synthetic fibres in our clothes. However, the convenience of plastics comes with a substantial environmental cost. 

How do microplastics affect us? 

Scientists aren’t sure about the long-term environmental or health effects of microplastics, but there is reason to be concerned. Data suggests that the accumulation of microplastics disrupts marine and terrestrial food chains. In humans, microplastics could affect food digestion, decrease hormone production, increase inflammation and even increase the risk of heart attacks. 

What can we do to mitigate the effects of microplastics? 

To reduce your risk of exposure, along with your contribution of microplastics to the environment, you can reduce your use of plastics, opting to use stainless steel or glass containers, cloth bags and make consumer choices based on reusable packaging. You can purchase natural fibre clothing, including pieces made out of cotton, linen and wool, and wash your clothes in cold water to reduce the amount of microfibres they shed. These fibres are huge contributors to the microplastics that end up in our oceans. Until we fully understand the effects of microplastics or figure out a way to mitigate the particles already in the environment, we need to be proactive in making good consumer choices and lobbying for change.