Microplastics are plastic fibers, chips or granules that can float in the environment, remain for a long time, are easily ingested by organisms, and have a diameter of less than 5 mm. "A lot of micro-plastics are hard to see with the naked eye." Recently, Shi Huahong, a professor at the Institute of Riverside and Coastal Sciences of East China Normal University, said in an interview with the Journal of the Chinese Academy of Sciences that foreign research even showed that micro-plastics were also found in drinking water. The research paper published by the research group several years ago revealed that microplastics were found in salt.
As a new class of pollutants in the environment, the control and testing of micro-plastics is on the agenda.
"PM2.5 in water"
In recent years, the international community has been increasingly concerned about the ecological effects, marine fisheries and health risks brought about by marine environment and coastal microplastic pollution.
"In the ocean, the impact of plastic on living things is already very large. Some hazards are similar to warm boiled frogs. People don't realize its existence, but in fact it is slowly approaching us." Shi Huahong said.
Micro-plastic pollution in marine and coastal environments has become another major global environmental issue following global climate change, ozone depletion, and ocean acidification.
“China is considered to be the country with the largest amount of marine plastic waste and micro-plastics. The micro-plastic pollution in the marine environment will become an important part of China's marine environmental governance and diplomacy.†In an interview with the Journal of the Chinese Journal of Science and Technology, the Yantai Coastal Zone of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Researcher Luo Yongming said.
"It is foreseeable that the consumption of plastics in China will continue to grow at a high speed for a long time." Wu Chenxi, an associate researcher at the Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, said that the existing research results have fully demonstrated the prevalence and seriousness of microplastics in China's freshwater environment. Without paying attention, it is highly likely to adversely affect the health of freshwater ecosystems and their service functions.
Some people compare the micro-plastics in the water to "PM2.5 in the water". Shi Huahong believes that this is not an exaggeration to some extent. In the soil, long-term use of agricultural mulch has caused serious soil degradation, and some land cannot even be cultivated. He said that when many problems are not revealed, they will feel that they are far away from us, but when the problem is uncovered, it is actually very serious.
Action begins with details
Recently, the first National Symposium on Environmental (Ocean) Microplastics Pollution and Control was held at the Ocean University of Zhejiang University. “This is perhaps the first time in China that there is no meeting for disposable plastics in a true sense, which is a milestone.†Pan Shengliang, director of the conference committee and professor of the Environmental College of Zhejiang University of Technology, said.
This meeting does not provide bottled mineral water and paper cups with polyethylene film. Participants are encouraged to use water cups; plastic shell pens are not provided, but pencils are used instead; coffee breaks with plastic packaging are not available. The only disposable plastics in the conference, the badge, was also recycled and is intended for use in the next session.
In order to strengthen the publicity and education of micro-plastic pollution and promote the prevention and control of micro-plastic pollution in China, the conference also formed a proposal to encourage the community to act together to reduce the use of disposable plastic products; all industries and industries gradually established the recycling of waste plastics. And resource system; the academic community to strengthen the research on micro-plastic pollution and its control measures; relevant departments to strengthen the formulation of micro-plastic pollution prevention and control policies.
Coping with problems
"In the past ten years, the speed of social development has exceeded our imagination and even control. Many times, management can't keep up with the changing rhythm. For example, the plastic pollution brought by the fast food business is unpredictable." Shi Huahong said.
In Luo Yongming's view, there are two problems in the management and policy of marine plastic waste and micro-plastics in China. On the one hand, it shows the phenomenon of long management, unclear powers and responsibilities, and insufficient investment. The management of marine plastic waste and micro-plastics in China involves many sectors such as environmental protection, ocean, agriculture, housing construction, and industry. It lacks special policy arrangements and institutional systems at the national level, and has not formed a multi-party joint force for supervision and management. On the other hand, research on monitoring and impact assessment of plastic pollution is insufficient and no effective response strategy has been formed. The existing monitoring work has been unable to meet the management needs and effectively respond to the requirements of relevant international affairs.
Currently, microplastics research has moved from the ocean to the land and atmosphere. Luo Yongming emphasized that the establishment of micro-plastic pollution research and solutions requires government attention, public participation, technological innovation and global governance.
Wu Chenxi also suggested that China should further strengthen the control over waste plastics, improve relevant policies and regulations, and increase the implementation of relevant policies and regulations. Based on the ideas of source control, process block and end treatment, we will alleviate the pollution of micro-plastics in freshwater environment in China, and ensure the health of freshwater ecosystems and the sustainable use of freshwater resources.
Tpo Photoinitiator,White Powder 95235-30-6,Light Yellow Powder 75980-60-8,Pale Yellow Liquid 84434-11-7
HENAN BON INDUSTRIAL(CHEMICAL) CO.,LTD , https://www.bonchemical.com