The effects of nanoplastics

they are potentially the most hazardous. The sources of nanoplastics may include the degradation of larger particles to the nano level and release from products such as cosmetics and sunscreens.

Mattsson and her team studied the impact of nanoplastics on Daphnia, which is food for many other aquatic animals. They observed that the fish that consumed the Daphnia ex- perienced changes in their predatory behavior and poor ap- petite. Other studies have found that nanoparticles are able to pass through biological barriers such as the intestinal wall and the brain, which may account for these changes in behavior.

“Although in our study we used much larger amounts of nanoplastic than those present in oceans today, we suspect that plastic particles may be accumulated inside the fish. This means that even low doses could ultimately have a negative effect,” Mattsson said.

Although there has been a constant increase in the use of nanoplastics in consumer goods, there is insufficient knowl- edge about the effects of such plastics on the health of both life and the ecosystem. Such an increase can lead to a huge rise in pollution, no matter how miniscule the particles may be. Even if sunscreen can be a very efficient method of pro- tecting oneself from the harmful effects of UV rays, such products include nanoplastics that end up being consumed and concentrated all the way up the food chain into our own meals.