Explained: What are microplastics, the new pollutant you are breathing | Explained News, The Indian Express

Explained: What are microplastics, the new pollutant you are breathing | Explained News, The Indian Express

Written by Mehr Gill |Edited by Explained Desk |New Delhi |Published: August 17, 2019 10:09:48 pm

Explained: What are microplastics, the new pollutant you are breathing

Microplastics, which are defined as shreds of plastic less than 5 mm in length. The researchers found huge amounts of them in the Arctic snow; their study claims to be the first that contains data on contamination of snow by microplastics.

Microplastic found in ice core samples taken during the U.S.-led Northwest Passage Project is shown on a screen during an 18-day icebreaker expedition that took place in July and August 2019, in a still image taken from a handout video obtained by REUTERS

Tiny particles of plastic, known as microplastics, have been found in the Arctic region and the Alps, carried by the wind, according to a new study that was widely reported this week. The study called for an urgent assessment of the risk of inhalation of the microplastics.