Editor in chief at IamExpat Media
We each eat around five grams of microplastic per week, according to a new study by WWF Germany. That’s around the weight of a plastic credit card. Although the dangers of plastic consumption are not yet fully understood, the WWF is demanding a global agreement to stem the flood of plastics into our environment.
WWF announced on Wednesday in Hamburg that their study had found that the average person consumes around 2.000 pieces of microplastic per week. A microplastic is defined as a solid, water-insoluble plastic particle, up to five millimetres in size. The study was based on investigations undertaken by researchers at the University of Newcastle in Australia and gave an estimate for worldwide plastic consumption.
As well as in the plastic waste in the seas that is currently attracting the world’s attention, tiny particles have also begun to be detected in the soil and in the air. Heike Vesper, head of Marine Conservation at WWF Germany, said, “We cannot prevent ourselves from consuming plastic.”
While the effect of plastic consumption on human health is still being researched, the general consensus is that it represents a major cause for concern. “If we do not want plastic in our bodies, we have to prevent millions of tons of plastic waste from swamping our natural environment each year,” said Vesper
In their report, WWF plead for a global agreement, with binding targets, to combat plastic pollution. They also comment that companies must take responsibility for the plastic waste caused by their products and modes of production.
Since the year 2000, as much plastic waste has been produced as was in all of the previous years combined, according to WWF Germany. About one third of this plastic is released unchecked into the environment. According to the study, tap water and bottled drinking water are the two most common means for plastic to get into the human body.
However, there are significant regional differences, the report found. Around twice as much plastic was detected in the USA and India compared to Europe or Indonesia. A Germany-specific figure was not given.