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submitted 9 months ago by MicroWave@lemmy.world to c/world@lemmy.world

The presence of tiny plastics in clouds risks the contamination of ‘everything we eat and drink’, researchers say.

Microplastics have been discovered in clouds, where scientists say they could be contributing to climate change.

Researchers found several types of polymers and rubber in the water in cloud water surrounding Mount Fuji, Japan’s biggest mountain, and Mount Ōyama.

Their study, published in the journal Environmental Chemical Letters, joins a growing body of evidence showing that plastic pollution has infiltrated most ecosystems on Earth.

Fragments of plastic smaller than 5mm (around the size of a sesame seed) have been found in the furthest reaches of the planet and most intimate parts of the human body, including the blood, lungs, and placentas of pregnant women.

"To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to detect airborne microplastics in cloud water in both the free troposphere and atmospheric boundary layer,” the scientists wrote.

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[-] 1800doctorb@lemmy.world 34 points 9 months ago

So I guess buying a water filter for my tap at home isn’t going to save me.

[-] bernieecclestoned@sh.itjust.works 22 points 9 months ago

Nope, good news is nobody knows what the harm is, yet!

https://archive.ph/QT6G5

[-] CitizenKong@lemmy.world 8 points 9 months ago

This is also the bad news.

[-] revoopy@programming.dev 1 points 9 months ago

I thought I remember hearing something about plastic affecting men's testosterone is that not true?

[-] henfredemars@infosec.pub 5 points 9 months ago

Some water filters actually increase the level of microplastics.

this post was submitted on 10 Oct 2023
235 points (98.8% liked)

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