Microplastics by the million falling on London every day

MILLIONS of pieces of microplastic are raining down on London each day, a study suggests.

Researchers at King’s College London analysed the number of particles and fibres falling on to the roof of a nine-storey building in the middle of the capital on eight separate days.

They picked a spot high up to ensure that only microplastic from the atmosphere was collected, rather than pieces

‘We found a high abundance of microplastics. I find it of concern – that is why I am working on it’

being deposited daily at ground level. Tiny pieces of plastic were found in all eight samples, with numbers ranging from 575 to 1,008 per square metre (10.7 sq ft) each day. If the same amount was falling across the capital, it suggests millions of pieces of plastic fall on London each day.

Previous studies have shown that microplastic can travel great distances in the air, with pieces discovered in remote locations such as the Arctic and the tops of mountains. Tap water is also known to contain microplastics, with the new study suggesting the pollutants may be falling from the sky and becoming trapped in the water cycle.

The accumulation rate in London was found to be 20 times higher than in Dongguan, China, seven times higher than in Paris, France, and nearly three times higher than Hamburg, Germany, which are the only other cities where similar measurements have been taken.

“We found a high abundance of microplastics,” lead researcher Stephanie Wright, of King’s College, told The Guardian. “I find it of concern – that is why I am working on it,” she said.

Further studies of the microplastics revealed that most were fibres made of acrylic, probably from clothing. Fewer than 10 per cent were particles, and these were mostly polystyrene and polyethylene, which are largely found in food packaging.

The impact of inhaling or ingesting microplastics is still unknown. The particles found in London were between 0.02mm and 0.5mm, which make them easily inhaled, and they could also easily be swallowed. Some studies have suggested that people may be ingesting 50,000 tiny plastic particles a year, through drinking water, consuming seafood or accidentally eating bits of packaging

The research was published in the journal Environment International.