From a revolutionary discovery to a major ecological problem: this is the leap plastic has made over the years. While its utility in countless applications is beyond question, the need for immediate action toward correct and healthy disposal management is equally undeniable. The effects are not just macroscopic; they run deep—into our oceans, our soil, and even inside our own bodies, specifically through microplastics. But let’s start from the beginning.
How was plastic born?
Plastic is not a modern conquest. Its history began about 150 years ago when Alexander Parkes patented a semi-synthetic plastic material, celluloid, used for the very first boxes. Over time, its evolution and uses have been numerous and revolutionary. From the appearance of Bakelite in the early 1900s, to nylon—which debuted in 1935 as a fabric for parachutes—to more modern plastic materials like PET (a component of “fleece” fabric and still used for mineral water packaging) and PVC, which was synthesized as early as 1912 and widely utilized since 1939. The 1950s and 60s were marked by Formica and the commercial success of “Moplen” which, along with synthetic textile fibers, signaled the “economic boom.” From then until today, the plastic landscape has been enriched by a myriad of “technopolymers” with increasingly sophisticated characteristics, filling application niches and meeting the needs of modern products.
From plastic to microplastic: How are they formed?
Today, almost all manufactured goods and consumer products are, in part or in their entirety, synthetic. Think of home furniture, technological items, but also cars, our clothes, cosmetics, and packaging. Or more simply, plastic cups and cutlery, which for years have inevitably accumulated in landfills. Plastic, in fact, was not designed to be degradable or biodegradable. Its daily use and abandonment in nature produce a slow fragmentation that gives rise to microplastics. So, what exactly are microplastics? They are small particles of plastic origin, specifically ranging between a millimeter and a nanometer. Because they cannot be naturally reabsorbed by the environment, they tend to accumulate, leading to numerous effects on the ecosystem.
What are the consequences of microplastics for the environment and health?
It is estimated that 2–5% of all plastic produced ends up in rivers, seas, and oceans. The portion defined as microplastic accumulates in fish and shellfish and, above all, contaminates the water. This amounts to approximately 8,000 tons of plastic material per year, a portion of which is smaller than a millimeter. It is easy to see how, starting from seafood and the water itself, our entire food chain is affected by the massive presence of microplastics. Data shows that microplastics are present in 15% of the food ingested by an individual, with tap and bottled water holding the record for the highest concentration. Traces have also been found, however, in the most unexpected food items such as beer, salt, sugar, alcohol, and honey. Many studies, published to make the weight of this pollution understandable to everyone, show that one can ingest up to 100 fragments of microplastics per meal, or 250 fragments a day just by drinking water. We must also keep in mind that plastic dust from furniture and fabrics must be counted in what we ingest. The most illustrative and shocking calculation estimates the ingestion of microplastics at 5 grams per week. This value is equivalent to the weight of a credit card. There are not yet complete studies on the long-term consequences these microplastics may cause once ingested and passed through our intestines. Initial analysis suggests that our immune system may suffer the worst effects.
What is the regulatory situation regarding microplastics?
In the recent past, several European Union member states legislated at a national level regarding the use of products at risk of containing microplastics. Unfortunately, the global effectiveness of these limitations was dampened by a lack of European coordination. Recently, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), after evaluating scientific data, issued restrictive regulations regarding microplastics intentionally added to any type of product. Microbeads, which have microplastics as by-products, are indeed present in exfoliating and cleansing cosmetic products, detergents, paints, abrasive industrial products, and fertilizers.
What solutions exist against microplastics?
To curb this situation, it is essential—in addition to responsible plastic management—to avoid the introduction of microplastics into the environment as much as possible. As we have just seen, progress is being made at the legislative level. In the agricultural sector, for example, substances used to encapsulate fertilizers and insecticides—which guarantee a slow release but give rise to non-degradable micro-residues—have been banned. These guidelines must find support and implementation in actual products. This is only possible through innovative scientific and technological contributions. This is exactly where Nanomnia’s technology fits in. Effective encapsulation, controlled release of active ingredients, and the absence of harmful by-products are the results of using specially studied, fully biocompatible, and biodegradable polymers. An innovative approach that is already a reality.