Microplastics and forever chemicals: here to stay?
The Naked Scientists Podcast
Episode Insights
See all- Microplastics present a triple environmental threat: they accumulate persistent organic pollutants, release harmful chemicals, and can carry hazardous microbial communities.
- "Forever chemicals" like PFAS are pervasive in ecosystems and human food sources and have been associated with serious health risks, including cancer and fertility problems.
- The combination of microplastics and forever chemicals creates a dual risk, leading to increased concentrations of these chemicals in marine life and raising concerns about long-term ecosystem and human health impacts.
- Microplastics have been found in human tissues, indicating widespread exposure, with studies suggesting potential adverse effects on human development and growth, as well as immune responses.
- Efforts to combat forever chemical contamination include developing new methods to break down their stable carbon-fluorine bonds, but the process is met with complex challenges due to the resilience and diversity of these compounds.
- Global incidents of forever chemical pollution have spurred changes in legislation and increased public awareness, leading to potential bans and production cessations by manufacturers.
- Innovative solutions are necessary to effectively break down and remove forever chemicals due to the complexity and cost of existing methods such as supercritical water oxidation and electrochemistry.
- Monitoring and regulating the entry of chemicals and particulates into the environment is essential to prevent the long-term accumulation and toxicity associated with microplastics and forever chemicals.