microplastic

Microplastics are small plastic particles that result from the breakdown of larger plastic items. They can be found in the environment, including oceans, rivers, and soil, and have raised concerns about their impact on marine life. The presence of microplastics in the ocean has been linked to the ingestion of plastic by animals, which can cause physical harm and even death. Microplastics have also been found in tap water and beer, highlighting the widespread nature of plastic pollution. The term microplastic is often used in a formal or scientific context to describe the environmental impact of plastic pollution, but it is also used in informal contexts to raise awareness about the issue. As a result, microplastic has become a widely recognized and important term in the conversation about plastic pollution.

Small plastic particles, typically less than 5 millimeters in size, that result from the breakdown of larger plastic items, such as bags, bottles, and microbeads, and can be found in the environment, including oceans, rivers, and soil.

Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.

Etymology of microplastic

The term microplastic is derived from the Greek prefix 'micro-' meaning small, and the word plastic, which refers to a type of synthetic material. The term was first used in the 1970s to describe small plastic particles found in the environment.

How microplastic is actually used

Microplastics are often used in a formal or scientific context to describe the environmental impact of plastic pollution. However, the term is also used in informal contexts to raise awareness about the issue.

What's another word for microplastic?

Rhymes with microplastic