The Major Issue of Microplastics
While they remain invisible, microplastics are “widespread across ecosystems,” as indicated by experts from Fisheries and Oceans Canada. It is estimated that individuals consume around 50,000 microplastic particles annually through food and drink, with an additional 70,000 particles inhaled each year. Though these particles are minuscule, they present significant threats—prompting innovative entrepreneurs to actively seek solutions.
Plastic Pollution: Everywhere, Including Your Beverage
In Canada alone, approximately 3 million tonnes of plastic will be discarded this year, with a staggering 91 percent going unrecycled. As plastic degrades into microplastics—particles less than 5 millimeters in size, often invisible—they contaminate our soil, air, and water sources.
The sources of microplastics are not just the obvious culprits like plastic bottles or takeout containers. They can also originate from unexpected items such as household paints and glues, the microbeads in personal care products, and even synthetic clothing materials.
This hidden form of contamination has become nearly pervasive, infiltrating the air we breathe (particularly indoors), human bloodstreams, and even maternal wombs and breast milk. A recent study of fish in the Great Lakes revealed that every single specimen contained microplastics.
Retreating to remote locations offers no respite either: a comprehensive sampling of ice, water, and soil in the Canadian Arctic disclosed microplastic presence in nearly all tested samples.
Minuscule Particles, Major Health Concerns
The issue of microplastic pollution is emerging rapidly, presenting a relatively new challenge demanding thorough research. Scientists are racing to assess the health implications linked to microplastics. For instance, only two years ago, a reliable testing method for identifying microplastics in human blood was developed, revealing significant presence.
While many questions regarding the health impacts of microplastics remain to be explored, numerous studies indicate that this pollution could be detrimental. Existing research associates microplastics with inflammation, oxidative stress—a potential precursor to various health issues, including heart disease—cancer, and neurotoxicity.
“As people age, their bodies become less capable of expelling toxins, allowing microplastics to accumulate and possibly cause serious health problems,” explains attorney C.L. Mike Schmidt, who has represented individuals affected by toxic substances and specializes in the legal and health ramifications of microplastic pollution. “Research implies that microplastics could contribute to diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative conditions.”
Innovative Solutions Are Coming
Can technology offer a remedy for our reliance on plastics? While researchers continue to assess the myriad impacts of microplastics on both health and the environment, innovators are already devising responses to combat this crisis.
For instance, scientists have recently engineered microorganisms capable of breaking down plastics into valuable products like vanilla flavor and ingredients for pharmaceuticals and perfumes.
Another approach involves altering the plastic itself. Conventional plastics are incredibly durable; they merely degrade into smaller fragments over time, including nanoplastics. Some firms are experimenting with a new type of biodegradable plastic known as polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA).
“PHA is a biodegradable polymer synthesized by bacteria during the fermentation of sugars or fats, presenting a safer and more eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastics,” notes Schmidt. “Unlike conventional plastics, which can take hundreds of years to decompose and release harmful substances, PHA naturally breaks down in various environments, reducing environmental contamination and risks to wildlife.”
The advantages extend to human health as well. “PHA is considerably more compatible with biological systems than traditional plastics, which means it can be metabolized rather than building up inside the body,” adds registered dietitian nutritionist Catherine Rall.
In Canada, innovative companies are spearheading this shift. The clean-tech startup Genecis Bioindustries in Scarborough has developed a method to transform food waste into PHA using specially engineered bacteria backed by the University of Toronto.
The produced plastic is suitable for many applications where conventional plastics are used, including in packaging, clothing, single-use items like takeout containers, and even medical equipment. According to founder Luna Yu, these bioplastic products can fully compost in 30 days. If discarded into the ocean, these PHA products decompose completely within a year—without producing microplastics.
Genecis is joined by other innovative ventures, such as BOSK Bioproducts in Quebec, which creates PHAs from industrial waste such as paper manufacturing sludge, and BioForm, a startup from the University of British Columbia that produces bioplastics from pulp fiber, kelp, and salt. These alternatives can function like conventional plastics while offering complete biodegradability.
The advancement of future plastics aims to ensure that microplastics do not continue to persist in our environment.
This article first appeared in the October 2024 edition of Daitrl magazine.
