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From the known risks, yes, but the unknown risks seem to possibly include biodiversity collapse and other terrible things. I think we can remain cautious either

by manux 6y ago

From the known risks, yes, but the unknown risks seem to possibly include biodiversity collapse and other terrible things. I think we can remain cautious either way, keep using plastic for food where it is necessary and reduce other plastics elsewhere.

leereeves 6y ago
> the unknown risks seem to possibly include biodiversity collapse and other terrible things Can you expand on that? It's not the topic of the linked paper and DDG doesn't show much on a link between biodiversity collapse (a proven problem) and nanoplastics. And what other terrible things might they cause?
- ezequiel-garzon 6y ago
  I believe this main comment thread, and GP in particular, is about plastics in general, and not limited to nanoplastics. Thus it involves (big) plastic ingestion and plastic islands blocking chunks of the ocean.
  - leereeves 6y ago
    Fair point. Then what's the link between plastics in general and biodiversity collapse and other terrible things?
    - ezequiel-garzon 6y ago
      That fact that animals end up with plastic in their digestive systems is quite uncontroversially a terrible thing, wouldn't you agree? I can't elaborate on the potential biodiversity collapse, as I didn't make that comment. Edit: Clearly I just gave the easiest example, not the most relevant one. A basic Google search points to [1], for instance, where you find observations such as If algae and plankton communities are threatened, the entire food web may change. Animals that feed on algae and plankton, such as fish and turtles, will have less food. If populations of those animals decrease, there will be less food for apex predators such as tuna, sharks, and whales. Eventually, seafood becomes less available and more expensive for people. These dangers are compounded by the fact that plastics both leach out and absorb harmful pollutants. As plastics break down through photodegradation, they leach out colorants and chemicals, such as bisphenol A (BPA), that have been linked to environmental and health problems. Conversely, plastics can also absorb pollutants, such as PCBs, from the seawater. These chemicals can then enter the food chain when consumed by marine life. So, I frankly haven't carefully looked into the prospects of "biodiversity collapse", but even that stark term sounds justified. Surely another terrible thing, in any event. [1] https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/great-pacific-garbage-patch/ https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/great-pacifi...
      - gowld 6y ago
        Humans breed, torture, and kill billions of fish, birds, and mammals intentionally, every year. Given that, why should we care about accidentally killing a few on the side? Are you vegan?

by manux 6y ago

leereeves 6y ago

> the unknown risks seem to possibly include biodiversity collapse and other terrible things Can you expand on that? It's not the topic of the linked paper and DDG doesn't show much on a link between biodiversity collapse (a proven problem) and nanoplastics. And what other terrible things might they cause?

ezequiel-garzon 6y ago
I believe this main comment thread, and GP in particular, is about plastics in general, and not limited to nanoplastics. Thus it involves (big) plastic ingestion and plastic islands blocking chunks of the ocean.
- leereeves 6y ago
  Fair point. Then what's the link between plastics in general and biodiversity collapse and other terrible things?
  - ezequiel-garzon 6y ago
    That fact that animals end up with plastic in their digestive systems is quite uncontroversially a terrible thing, wouldn't you agree? I can't elaborate on the potential biodiversity collapse, as I didn't make that comment. Edit: Clearly I just gave the easiest example, not the most relevant one. A basic Google search points to [1], for instance, where you find observations such as If algae and plankton communities are threatened, the entire food web may change. Animals that feed on algae and plankton, such as fish and turtles, will have less food. If populations of those animals decrease, there will be less food for apex predators such as tuna, sharks, and whales. Eventually, seafood becomes less available and more expensive for people. These dangers are compounded by the fact that plastics both leach out and absorb harmful pollutants. As plastics break down through photodegradation, they leach out colorants and chemicals, such as bisphenol A (BPA), that have been linked to environmental and health problems. Conversely, plastics can also absorb pollutants, such as PCBs, from the seawater. These chemicals can then enter the food chain when consumed by marine life. So, I frankly haven't carefully looked into the prospects of "biodiversity collapse", but even that stark term sounds justified. Surely another terrible thing, in any event. [1] https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/great-pacific-garbage-patch/ https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/great-pacifi...
    - gowld 6y ago
      Humans breed, torture, and kill billions of fish, birds, and mammals intentionally, every year. Given that, why should we care about accidentally killing a few on the side? Are you vegan?