People who live with the pollution from plastics and petrochemical facilities hope the stalled talks on a global plastics treaty will limit plastic production.
The particles also may contribute to chronic pulmonary inflammation, which can increase the risk of lung cancer. "These microplastics are basically particulate matter air pollution, and we know ...
Tires and degrading garbage shed tiny pieces of plastic into the air, creating a form of air pollution that UC San Francisco researchers suspect may be causing respiratory and other illnesses.