Monthly Focus

Microplastic Awareness Month: Understanding the Invisible Threat to Our Planet.

Small Particles, Big Problem. Microplastics might be small, but their impact on the environment and human health is anything but. As we observe Microplastic Awareness Month, it’s crucial to understand that the responsibility to combat this issue lies with all of us. Through mindful consumption, spreading awareness, and supporting eco-friendly innovations, we can reduce our microplastic footprint and protect the planet for future generations. Every action counts, no matter how small—just like the particles we’re fighting against. Let’s work together to make a cleaner, safer world.

微塑膠宣傳月：了解我們星球面臨的無形威脅。小顆粒，大問題。微塑膠可能很小，但它們對環境和人類健康的影響卻非同小可。在「微塑膠宣傳月」之際，我們必須認識到，應對這一問題的責任在我們所有人身上。透過理性消費、傳播環保意識和支持環保創新，我們可以減少微塑膠的足跡，為子孫後代保護地球。每一項行動都至關重要，無論多麼微小——就像我們正在對抗的這些顆粒一樣。讓我們攜手共創一個更乾淨、更安全的世界。

What Are Microplastics?

Microplastics are small plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in diameter, often invisible to the naked eye. These tiny fragments come from a variety of sources, including:

• Plastic waste breakdown: Larger plastic items, like bottles, bags, and packaging, degrade over time due to exposure to sunlight and water, eventually fragmenting into microplastics.
• Microbeads in personal care products: Many cosmetics and cleaning products once contained microbeads, which were used as exfoliants or scrubbing agents. Though banned in many countries, their presence still lingers in the environment.
• Synthetic clothing fibers: When washed, clothing made from synthetic materials like polyester sheds microfibers, which enter waterways through wastewater.

什麼是微塑膠？微塑膠是直徑小於5毫米的微小塑膠顆粒，通常肉眼無法看見。這些微小碎片的來源多種多樣，包括：

• 塑膠垃圾分解：較大的塑膠物品，例如瓶子、袋子和包裝，會隨著時間的推移，由於暴露在陽光和水的侵蝕下而降解，最終碎裂成微塑膠。
• 個人護理產品中的微珠：許多化妝品和清潔產品曾經含有微珠，它們被用作去角質劑或清潔劑。儘管許多國家已禁止使用微珠，但它們仍然存在於環境中。
• 合成服裝纖維：洗滌時，由聚酯纖維等合成材料製成的衣物會脫落微纖維，這些微纖維會透過廢水進入水道。

The Environmental Impact.

Microplastics are wreaking havoc on ecosystems, particularly in the oceans, where they pose a serious threat to marine life. Fish, birds, and other marine organisms mistake these particles for food, leading to:

• Ingestion of plastics: Microplastics can block digestive systems, cause malnutrition, and even release toxic chemicals into the bodies of animals.
• Harmful effects up the food chain: As smaller creatures ingest microplastics, these particles can move up the food chain, potentially ending up on our plates when we consume seafood.
• Microplastics also contribute to the degradation of soil health, impacting agriculture and the broader ecosystem. As they accumulate in the environment, their long-term effects on plant growth, soil organisms, and water quality are still being studied—but the findings so far are alarming.

環境影響。微塑膠正在破壞生態系統，尤其是在海洋中，對海洋生物構成嚴重威脅。魚類、鳥類和其他海洋生物會誤食這些顆粒，導致：

• 攝入塑膠：微塑膠會阻塞消化系統，導致營養不良，甚至釋放有毒化學物質到動物體內。
• 對食物鏈上游的有害影響：隨著小型生物攝入微塑料，這些顆粒會沿著食物鏈向上移動，最終可能隨著我們食用海鮮而進入我們的餐桌。
• 微塑膠也會破壞土壤健康，影響農業和更廣泛的生態系統。隨著它們在環境中積累，對植物生長、土壤生物和水質的長期影響仍在研究中——但迄今為止的研究結果令人擔憂。

Human Health Concerns.

It’s not just marine life that is affected. Recent studies have found microplastics in human blood, lungs, and even placentas. While research is still ongoing, potential health impacts include:

• Inflammation and cellular damage: The body’s immune system may react to microplastics as foreign invaders, leading to inflammation or cellular harm.

Exposure to toxins: Plastics often contain harmful chemicals like BPA, phthalates, and flame retardants, which can leach into the body and interfere with hormones, potentially leading to long-term health issues.

人體健康隱患。受影響的不僅是海洋生物。最近的研究發現，人類血液、肺部甚至胎盤中都存在微塑膠。雖然研究仍在進行中，但潛在的健康影響包括：

發炎和細胞損傷：人體免疫系統可能會將微塑膠視為外來入侵者，從而引發發炎或細胞損傷。

• 接觸毒素：塑膠通常含有雙酚A、鄰苯二甲酸酯和阻燃劑等有害化學物質，這些物質會滲入人體並幹擾荷爾蒙分泌，可能導致長期健康問題。

How to Get Involved.

Microplastic pollution is a global issue that requires collective action. Here are some simple steps you can take to help reduce microplastics in your daily life:

• Cut down on single-use plastics: Opt for reusable items such as water bottles, shopping bags, and food containers.
• Choose natural fibers: When purchasing clothing, look for materials made from natural fibers like cotton, wool, or hemp to reduce microfiber shedding.
• Support plastic-free products: Look for personal care products and cleaning supplies that don’t contain microbeads or other plastic ingredients.
• Wash smarter: Use a microfiber-catching laundry bag, wash clothes less frequently, or invest in a washing machine filter to prevent microfibers from entering waterways.
• Spread awareness: Share information about microplastics with friends, family, and on social media. You can participate in local clean-up efforts or support organizations working on plastic pollution issues.

如何在微塑膠宣傳月參與其中？微塑膠污染是全球性問題，需要大家共同行動。以下是一些您可以採取的簡單步驟，以幫助減少日常生活中的微塑膠：

• 減少一次性塑膠：選擇可重複使用的物品，例如水瓶、購物袋和食品容器。
• 選擇天然纖維：購買衣物時，請尋找由天然纖維（例如棉、羊毛或麻）製成的布料，以減少微纖維脫落。
• 支援無塑膠產品：尋找不含微珠或其他塑膠成分的個人護理產品和清潔用品。
• 更聰明地洗滌：使用可捕捉微纖維的洗衣袋，減少衣物洗滌頻率，或購買洗衣機過濾器，以防止微纖維進入水道。
• 傳播環保意識：與親朋好友以及在社群媒體上分享有關微塑膠的資訊。您可以參與當地的清潔工作，或支持致力於解決塑膠污染問題的組織。

source: blog.genie9.com