Q&A: Managing Microplastics
What qualifies as a microplastic?
Microplastics are synthetic polymers that are generally greater than 1 nanometer and less than 5 millimeters. Microplastics can be various shapes and sizes, including pellets, flakes, powders, fibers, and fragments.
How are microplastics generated?
Primary microplastics are specifically engineered and produced materials for the purpose of incorporation into products, such as cosmetics, textiles, and health care items, or can be used to shape larger plastic products. Secondary microplastics are generated from the degradation of plastics through environmental, physical, chemical, or mechanical processes.
Why are we concerned about microplastics?
Microplastics are considered a global emerging contaminant because they can be found in aquatic environments, drinking water, food, common household products and even the bodies of animals and humans. Microplastics are commonly found in industrial and municipal wastewater discharges and air emissions. Although plastic has been in use for decades, the potential negative impacts of microplastics on human health and the environment are not fully understood. Langan has been developing customized investigations, risk assessments, and cleanup strategies for microplastics to meet the needs of each project.
What environmental regulations exist around microplastics?
Some states have passed regulations restricting the use of microplastics in manufactured products; however, no cleanup standards have been established. From an industrial discharge perspective, microplastics have not yet been directly regulated, but are indirectly regulated through permit conditions restricting the discharge of floating solids or observed deposits.
What risks surround microplastics in the environment?
Risks are heavily dependent on the specific characteristics of the microplastic in question, including size, shape, density, and composition. Characteristics of the microplastic directly impact how the material will travel in the environment and its potential for ingestion, inhalation and bioaccumulation. Currently, there are no studies on direct health effects on humans. Risk assessments can be completed based on an extrapolation of data from animal studies, which have shown microplastic impacts on immunosuppression and inflammation of the respiratory system.
What strategies exist to manage microplastics?
Key strategies for the management of microplastics include risk assessment, source control and mitigation. Source control may include refinement of internal operations for microplastics manufacturers, increased housekeeping measures, and enhanced treatment for discharges. Additionally, investigations into potential migration pathways, including in water, waste, and air, are critical at controlling microplastics discharges before they are introduced into the environment.
Langan’s Applied Technologies team has developed site-specific GIS solutions to aid in executing investigations and preparing management strategies relative to microplastic projects. Mobile and web applications can be developed for historic information compilation, field inspection support, data collection, data visualization, and preparation of future designs and strategic planning. Each application is fully customizable to the project needs.
Valentina Miller, PE, has extensive experience related to soil and groundwater remediation, wastewater treatment system design, waste characterization and maintenance of hydraulic control through pump and treat system operation.