this post was submitted on 01 Oct 2023
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Its happening (discuss.tchncs.de)
submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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[โ€“] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

We have absolutely no idea what (if anything) micro plastics will do now that they're small enough to get through the blood brain barrier. Could be harmless, could be like how led was seemingly innocuous

[โ€“] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Yes and it is being thoroughly investigated, as it should be. But so far nothing has been found, so sensationalism is only detrimental as:

  • it takes away focus from materials that have actually been found to be harmful
  • puts public pressure on researchers, and if they don't find something quick it might be the end of the whole field, and then they might have difficulties funding research on future polymers
  • builds up anxiety about something we can't do anything about (the plastics are there and they're here to stay for a while)