Microplastics everywhere! Scientists discover microplastics in clouds

A study conducted by Japanese researchers has confirmed the presence of microplastics in clouds, indicating potential impacts on climate that are not yet fully understood. Published in the journal Environmental Chemistry Letters, the study involved collecting water samples from the mists surrounding Mount Fuji and Mount Oyama. Advanced imaging techniques were used to analyze the samples, revealing the presence of nine different polymer types and one type of rubber among airborne microplastics, ranging in size from 7.1 to 94.6 micrometers.

Each liter of cloud water tested contained between 6.7 to 13.9 pieces of microplastics. Lead author Hiroshi Okochi from Waseda University warned that if the issue of “plastic air pollution” is not addressed proactively, it could lead to climate change and ecological risks, resulting in irreversible environmental damage.

When microplastics reach the upper atmosphere and are exposed to sunlight’s ultraviolet radiation, they degrade, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, according to Okochi. Microplastics, which are defined as plastic particles under 5 millimeters, originate from various sources such as industrial effluent, textiles, synthetic car tires, personal care products, and more. They have previously been found inside fish, in Arctic sea ice, and in the snows of the Pyrenees mountains.

Microplastics everywhere! Scientists discover microplastics in clouds

However, the mechanisms of their transport to diverse locations were previously unclear, especially regarding airborne microplastics. The researchers noted that their study marks the first report on airborne microplastics in cloud water.

Waseda University highlighted that research has shown microplastics are ingested or inhaled by both humans and animals and have been detected in multiple organs, including the lungs, heart, blood, placenta, and feces. The university pointed out that around ten million tons of these microplastic particles end up in the ocean, released through ocean spray, and eventually find their way into the atmosphere. This suggests that microplastics may have become a fundamental component of clouds, potentially contaminating the food and water we consume through “plastic rainfall.”

Emerging evidence has linked microplastics to various health effects, including impacts on heart and lung health, cancer risks, and widespread environmental damage.

References: @waseda_univ. Plastic Cloud: New Study Analyzes Airborne Microplastics in Clouds. Waseda University. 2023. https://www.waseda.jp/top/en/news/78501
Japanese scientists find microplastics are present in clouds. Japanese scientists find microplastics are present in clouds | Environment News | Al Jazeera. 202328.https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/9/28/japanese-scientists-find-microplastics-are-present-in-clouds