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What is microplastic?
Plastic has been a major problem for our environment for quite some time. In addition to the plastic that is visible every day, such as plastic bags, packaging and the like, this also applies to so-called microplastics – plastics that are so small that we cannot see them with the naked eye. This does not make them any less dangerous; But on the contrary. Microplastics are either deliberately produced or result from the decomposition of larger plastic products. Consciously produced microplastics are used in everyday products for a variety of reasons and are found in products in which we would not expect them to be – cosmetics are at the forefront. The plastic can be found in toothpaste, shower gel, peelings and face creams or lotions, among other things. As an invisible ingredient, we find it difficult to avoid microplastics. It is all the more important to pay attention to the ingredients of cosmetics, for example, and to find a good alternative to a product contaminated with microplastics.
Microplastics in cosmetics?
Plastic particles less than five millimeters in size are called microplastics and are processed in large quantities in cosmetics and other products. The particles are produced in a wide range of sizes and shapes and are added both as a liquid solution and as a solid powder. The small plastic particles should either provide a peeling effect or give the product more shine and structure. They are also often used as binders or fillers.
Unfortunately, there is currently no special labeling requirement for microplastics. However, if terms such as acrylates crosspolymer (ACS), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyethylene (PE) are found among the ingredients of your cosmetic product, you should rather avoid them. With regard to the amount of microplastics contained, the same applies as with all other ingredients: the further up the list of ingredients the designation is, the higher the proportion in the product. If you want to know exactly, however, the only thing left to do is to ask the manufacturer directly. There are also many interesting information platforms on the Internet, such as the BUND shopping guide or the Greenpeace microplastics checklist.
What is actually dangerous about microplastics?
Microplasticscarries many risks for us humans and the environment. It is all the more tragic that there is currently no global ban on this form of plastic. Synthetic polymers, also known as microplastics, end up in this smallest form in our wastewater and subsequently in our bodies of water. In rivers, lakes and the sea, it is taken up again by marine animals, so that it gets back into our organism through our food intake. The dangerous thing about microplastics or plastic in general is that it is not biodegradable. Although it breaks down into tiny particles, it never disappears completely. The smaller the plastic particles are, the easier it is for them to get into the human and animal organism and settle there.
What effects can microplastics have on the body?
Plastic is easy to process, light and above all inexpensive. For these reasons, it is used permanently and in almost all areas of industry. More than 80 percent of all products on the market today are already contaminated with microplastics – either because plastic has been added and/or because they were packaged in plastic. Particularly large microplastic loads can be detected not only in cosmetics, but also in food. Examples are water in plastic bottles, sweets, dairy and meat products. This fact is frightening when you look at the effects of microplastics on our bodies. The best-known and most commonly used plastic is called Bisphenol A, or BPA for short. It is highly toxic and yet contained in many packaging materials and cosmetics. BPA mimics hormones in its chemical structure, which can lead to hormonal imbalance. Especially in the growth phase, an increased microplastic load can lead to significant disorders and diseases. Liver problems, cardiovascular diseases ordiabetes . Due to the dangerous property of the polymers to attract other pollutants like a magnet, the plastic particles become loaded with more and more pollutants, such as pesticides or similar, and thus become real poison bombs in our body.
