MESSAGES FROM OUR 'GREEN TEAM'
What are Microplastics and How Do They Affect Us?
Jo Ann Goldwater, TBI Congregant and Green Team Member
When plastic items are disposed of, they do not biodegrade but simply break into tiny particles that are found everywhere in our environment.NOAA describes microplastics as small plastic pieces less than five millimeters long which can be found in many items that we are exposed to every day. They can be as small as 1 nanometer (1/80,000 the width of a strand of hair), and they are found everywhere that plastic is discarded into our environment, and that is just about anywhere. It is the smallest particles that are the most dangerous because they can pass through tiny pores and membranes.There are different kinds of microplastics. Some are found in cosmetics and biomedical products. Others are found in food wrapping, tires, and synthetic textiles. Finally, some micro beads are found in many health and beauty products, such as toothpaste where they are meant to scrub your teeth clean.
The study of the effect of microplastics on humans is in its early stages and much more needs to be done. We do know that they can be absorbed into our bodies and have been found in blood, liver, kidneys, saliva, and even in the human brain. We also know that they can contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
Besides being harmful to humans, they are bad for our environment and all wildlife. They are especially harmful to aquatic creatures when plastics end up in our waterways. Fish and birds mistake microplastics for food and it causes them to die when they ingest it. This is especially important to us here on Longboat Key where we are surrounded by water and aquatic wildlife.
Although it is impossible to avoid completely the use of plastics in some articles, such as outerwear and most athletic sportswear, there are some things we can do to minimize our use of it:
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Use a stainless-steel water bottle and avoid plastic water bottles.
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Don’t microwave food in plastic containers. Use only use glass, wood, or metal kitchen items, for mixing bowls, spoons, cutting boards, and food storage containers. Black utensils and pans are especially bad.
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Try to buy clothing made from natural materials such as cotton or bamboo.
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Avoid using single-use plastic articles such as drinking cups, eating utensils, and plastic bags.
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Avoid buying articles wrapped in plastic packaging.
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Use reusable shopping bags for your shopping.
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Try to reuse things and check what you have on hand before purchasing new articles.
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Of course, it is important to recycle. But remember, the best thing we can is to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
This illustration below summarizes the effect of microplastics on us and the environment:
REFERENCES
American Association of Medical Colleges. Microplastics are inside us all. What does that mean for our health?
GIVE CHANGE, TO MAKE CHANGE!
What do you do with your spare change? Do you have a can or jar of coins at home, collecting dust? The TBI Green Team is asking you to GIVE CHANGE TO MAKE CHANGE. A collection bucket has been set up in the Ronson Social Hall. Our collective pocket change can help support our several environmental initiatives, including:-
Purchasing biodegradable paper goods, utensils and dinnerware
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Switching to eco-friendly cleaning products and weed- and pest-control agents
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Starting a small, raised garden to raise vegetables for TBI dinners (using mulch produced by our new food composter!)
The Green Team is entirely dependent on contributions for its activities. In this season of renewal, let’s all renewal our commitment to combatting climate change and healing the earth.
Mon, December 30 2024
29 Kislev 5785
Mon, December 30 2024 29 Kislev 5785