Respro® Bulletin Board

UK should set tougher air pollution limits, says Kissi-Debrah coroner

Posted on April 21, 2021 by Respro® UK Ltd

The UK government should impose tougher limits on air pollution, in line with World Health Organization recommendations, to prevent more deaths like those of 9-year old Ella Kissi-Debrah, a coroner has urged.
An inquest last year by coroner Philip Barlow into the death of Kissi-Debrah in 2013 found that her exposure to dangerously dirty air in London had played a material role. She lived and walked to school in an area of south London that frequently breached UK limits for air pollution.
In a report published today on preventing future deaths, Barlow made three recommendations. He told the government to bolster the UK’s air pollution limits, noting that they currently “far higher” than the WHO’s guidelines. “Legally binding targets based on WHO guidelines would reduce the number of deaths from air pollution in the UK,” he said.
Barlow added that doctors and nurses are failing to sufficiently communicate the health risks of exposure to dirty air, and professional medical bodies need to address the shortcoming. Public awareness of local and national air pollution levels are low, Barlow noted, which could be fixed by increasing the number of air quality sensors, he suggested. Central and local government must tackle that, he said.
Rosamund Kissi-Debrah, Ella’s mother, said in a statement that she would ask the UK’s environment secretary George Eustice to legislate to implement WHO air pollution rules in the wake of the report.
“Children are dying unnecessarily because the government is not doing enough to combat air pollution. In order to save lives the government must act now and take the three steps that the coroner has identified in his report,” she said.
UK should set tougher air pollution limits, says Kissi-Debrah coroner | New Scientist

Posted in Air Quality | Tagged Air Pollution | Leave a comment

5 best anti-pollution masks for cycling that keep your commute cleaner

Posted on April 20, 2021 by Respro® UK Ltd

We put the protectors to the test to bring you the top choices to travel with

Poor air quality is blamed for thousands of premature deaths across the UK, and the Volkswagen emissions scandal and pressure from climate committees to improve energy efficiency have pushed the issue up the political agenda.

Plans to ban petrol and diesel cars in the UK are accelerating. The transport secretary Grant Shapps announced in October of last year that the government’s target to ensure all new car models are zero-emmission by 2040 may be brought forward to 2035. Meanwhile diesel car drivers now face a £12.50 daily fee to drive in the centre of London after the capital launched its ultra low emission zone in April 2019. Although governments here and abroad are beginning to take the problem seriously, many individuals are taking matters into their own hands by purchasing a face mask.

The air in major cities, including London, is dirtiest of all. A growing body of research suggests smaller particulate matter – the term for particles found in the air including dust, dirt, soot and smoke – is responsible for the most adverse health effects. Particulates are measured in microns, equal to one millionth of a metre. Those that are 50+ microns in diameter can be seen by the naked eye, but those measuring 2.5 microns or smaller, are invisible – and, according to a government report, pose the greatest health risk.

Particulate types include asbestos dust from car and lorry brake linings, road dust, fumes from diesel vehicles and pollen. The variation in size of these particulates comes from the type of fuel and how efficiently it is burned.

Some masks are capable of cleaning pollutants measuring 0.3 of a micron from the air you breathe. The N95 and N99 labels that are commonly (though confusingly, not universally) used to describe effectiveness refer to the amount of airborne particles that are filtered – 95 per cent and 99 per cent respectively.

As one technician at Respro, the market leader for anti-pollution masks, puts it: “It’s not uncommon for 3000l of air to pass through your lungs while cycling to and from work on a half-hour round trip. Multiply that by five days a week, 50 weeks a year, and that’s a lot of pollution for your body to deal with.”

Despite the obvious health benefits, wearing a mask can be uncomfortable, and some users complain that they restrict the amount of oxygen it is possible to inhale in each breath. It is for this reason that getting the right mask – and making sure it fits properly – is essential.

There are many different types of mask on the market. In terms of shape, there are those that cover the whole of the lower face, including the nose and mouth, versus those which cover just the mouth – for these you should use the nose only to breathe out. The masks on offer also differ by the technology they use. The most basic (not reviewed below) offer little more protection than a surgical mask, while the top-end coverings come with sophisticated multi-layer filters.

It is vital that you choose a correctly sized mask, as each will sit on the face slightly differently. Best would be to visit a local stockist in person. Alternatively, you can take detailed measurements to ensure the mask does the job of filtering the air you are breathing and is comfortable at the same time.

You can trust our independent reviews. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. This revenue helps us to fund journalism across The Independent.

Respro® Ultralight mask (N99):

Respro’s ultralight mask uses a stretchy fabric that allows the face to breathe in hot and humid conditions, which made it comfortable to wear for the duration of our 40-minute commute. It comes in four sizes, boasts two exhale valves (which allow the air you are breathing out to leave the mask) and an “unbreakable” nose clip that keeps the mask snug to your face. The two valves improve airflow performance, making breathing a little easier and reducing condensation that inevitably builds up in the mask, especially on cold mornings. The filters, which are designed to filter “sub-micron” particulates (those measuring smaller than one micron), were also able to cut out bad smells, something which was less noticeable with other masks we tried and which made traffic-clogged streets a little more pleasant.

Respro® Techno (N99):

The techno mask is made from a neoprene skin that neatly follows the contours of the face, giving it a snug fit and ensuring all the air is forced through the filters. Like the ultralight, this mask comes with the filter for sub-micron particulates. However, we found the techno a little less comfortable than the first Respro product we tested, in part because it does not have rapid airflow valves, meaning there is slightly more resistance when breathing in and out. As with the Ultralight mask, the Velcro fastening makes adjusting the fit fuss-free. Again, there are several sizes to choose from.

via independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/outdoor-activity/cycling/best-anti-pollution-mask-cycling-review-london-a7952771.html

Scientists identify severe asthma species, show air pollutant as likely contributor

Posted on April 19, 2021 by Respro® UK Ltd

An epidemiological study has shown that not only is non-Th2 a distinct asthma disease, its likely inducer is early childhood exposure to airborne Benzo[a]pyrene, a byproduct of fossil fuel combustion.

Asthma afflicts more than 300 million people worldwide. The most severe manifestation, known as non-Th2, or non-atopic childhood asthma, represents the majority of the cases, greater than 85%, particularly in low-income countries, according to Hyunok Choi, an associate professor at the Lehigh University College of Health. Yet, whether non-Th2 is a distinct disease (or endotype) or simply a unique set of symptoms (or phenotype) remains unknown.
“Non-Th2 asthma is associated with very poor prognosis in children and great, life-long suffering due to the absence of effective therapies,” says Choi. “There is an urgent need to better understand its mechanistic origin to enable early diagnosis and to stop the progression of the disease before it becomes severe.”
Studies show that nearly 50% of the children whose asthma is poorly controlled are expected to emerge as severe adult cases. Yet, a one-size-fits-all treatment approach, currently the norm for asthma, is ineffective and, says Choi, and partially responsible for asthma’s growing economic burden.
“The primary reason for lack of therapeutic and preventive measures is that no etiologic, or causal, driver has ever been identified for the non-Th2 asthma,” says Choi.
Now, for the first time, an epidemiological study, led by Choi, has shown that not only is non-Th2 a distinct disease, its likely inducer is early childhood exposure to airborne Benzo[a]pyrene, a byproduct of fossil fuel combustion. Choi and her colleagues are the first to demonstrate air pollution as a driver of the most challenging type of asthma, the severe subtype which is non-responsive to current therapies.
The team describes their results in an article recently published online in Environmental Health Journal called “Airborne Benzo[a]Pyrene May Contribute to Divergent Pheno-Endotypes in Children.”
What is termed asthma is an umbrella word for multiple diseases with common symptoms. Asthma has been broadly classified as two major sets of symptoms: T helper cell high (Th2-high) and T helper cell low (non-Th2). Th2-high is associated with early-childhood allergies to common pollutants such as pet dander, tree pollens, or mold. In contrast, non-TH2 is not related to an allergic response. The non-Th2 type, marked explicitly by being non-allergy-related, is far less understood than the TH-2 type and could transform into severe or difficult to treat type.
“The identification of non-Th2 asthma as a distinct disease, with early exposure to Benzo[a]pyrene as a driver, has the potential to impact tens of millions of sufferers, since this would make it possible to intervene before the onset of irreversible respiratory injuries,” says Choi.
The team tested two comparable groups of children from an industrial city, Ostrava, and the surrounding semi-rural area of Southern Bohemia, in the Czech Republic: 194 children with asthma and a control group consisting of 191 children. According to the study, Ostrava is an industrial city with a high level of coal mining activities, coal processing, and metallurgical refinement. The district-level ambient mean for Benzo[a]pyrene at the time of their investigation November 2008) was 11-times higher than the recommended outdoor and indoor air quality standard.
Not only was elevated exposure to Benzo[a]pyrene associated with correspondingly elevated odds of non-Th2 asthma, it was also associated with depressed systemic oxidant levels.
“Contrary to the current body of evidence supporting adult onset of non-atopic asthma, our data suggest for the first time that the lung function deficit and suppressed oxidative stress levels during early childhood are critical sentinel events preceding non-atopic asthma,” says Choi.
Scientists identify severe asthma species, show air pollutant as likely contributor — ScienceDaily

Posted in Air Quality, Asthma, Health Effects of Air Pollution, Medical Studies, World News | Tagged Air Pollution, Asthma, Benzo[a]pyrene, fossil fuels, Health Effects of Air Pollution, Research | Leave a comment

7 Best Anti-Pollution Cycling Masks to Wear on Your Commute

Posted on April 16, 2021 by Respro® UK Ltd

As far as health is concerned it’s a no-brainer: cycling outside has myriad wellbeing benefits – both physical and psychological. However, if you cycle in a busy town or city, then it’s worth investing in an anti-pollution cycling mask.

A 2018 report by the World Health Organisation found that 40 areas in the UK, including London, Manchester and Swansea, are at or have exceeded air pollution limits.

Exposure to black carbon – the sooty, fine-particle pollution that’s emitted from diesel fumes, dust and sources that burn fossil fuels – can, over time, have serious health consequences, and increases the risk of developing respiratory diseases, lung cancer, heart disease and strokes.

That’s where anti-pollution cycling masks come in. A study, published in the journal of Atmospheric Environment, which assessed air pollution exposure in cities found that people are most exposed to black carbon when cycling.

Anti-pollution cycling masks help to filter out tiny black carbon particles, to reduce your exposure whilst going about your commute.

How do anti-pollution cycling masks work?

Anti-pollution cycling masks either have built-in or removable filters that help to significantly reduce the inhalation of harmful particles from air pollution.

They don’t look that dissimilar to the face masks we wear daily to slow transmission of COVID-19 – they cover the mouth and nose and loop over the ears or around the head – though it’s worth noting that the two aren’t interchangeable as anti-pollution masks for cyclists aren’t medically regulated, and often don’t provide the same level of protection against viruses.

Filters which are common on cycling masks (to make it easier to breathe) have also been found to be counter-productive in virus spread prevention.

What to look for in an anti-pollution cycling mask

There are two important considerations when shopping for an anti-pollution cycling mask.

The first: make sure it has an N95 or N99 certification, which indicates the percentage of particles the mask can potentially protect against. So, an N95 rating filters 95% of small particulate, whilst an N99 rating filters 99%.

Secondly, search for an anti-pollution cycling mask that fits your face well. Pay attention to online sizing guides, as too large and gaping could render the mask effectively pointless, and too small could result in discomfort.

1) Respro® Ultralight™ Mask

£39.99

Respro’s Ultralight™ was designed for use in hot and humid conditions, so it’s ideal for cycling.

Four-way stretch fabric allows a comfy fit, and a velcro fastening relieves ears from any discomfort.

The PM2.5 filter helps to block tiny particles from pollution.

5) Respro® Techno™ Mask

£35.99

Respro’s Techno™ mask comes in three adult sizes and four colour options.

It has a combination filter system that blocks small particle pollution including PM2.5, and filters are replaceable.

The velcro fastening and nose pinch tab offer a comfy, adjustable fit.

via Women’s Health

Posted in Respro® Mask Reviews, Respro® Products | Tagged Respro® Mask Reviews | 3 Comments

Air pollution may affect severity and hospitalization in COVID-19 patients: Preliminary findings for pilot study could have policy implications

Posted on April 16, 2021 by Respro® UK Ltd

Patients who have preexisting respiratory conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and live in areas with high levels of air pollution have a greater chance of hospitalization if they contract COVID-19, says a University of Cincinnati researcher.
Angelico Mendy, MD, PhD, assistant professor of environmental and public health sciences, at the UC College of Medicine, looked at the health outcomes and backgrounds of 1,128 COVID-19 patients at UC Health, the UC-affiliated health care system in Greater Cincinnati.
Mendy led a team of researchers in an individual-level study which used a statistical model to evaluate the association between long-term exposure to particulate matter less or equal to 2.5 micrometers — it refers to a mixture of tiny particles and droplets in the air that are two-and-one half microns or less in width — and hospitalizations for COVID-19. Medical records allowed researchers to use patients’ zip codes for estimating their particulate exposure over a 10-year period.
“Particulate matter is very small, small enough to be inhaled deep into the lungs, they cross into the blood and also affect other organ systems,” says Mendy. “Air pollution as a result of emissions from automobiles, factories or other sources is a generator of particulate matter.”
“Our study didn’t find any correlation between severity of COVID-19 and particulate matter in general, but we found something for people who had asthma and COPD,” says Mendy. “People who have preexisting asthma and COPD, when they are exposed to higher levels of particulate matter, they are more likely to have severe COVID-19, severe enough to be hospitalized.”
Researchers found that a one-unit increase in particulate matter 2.5 was associated with a 60% higher chance of hospitalization for COVID-19 patients with pre-existing respiratory disease. For patients without respiratory disease, no association was observed.
The study’s findings were published online in the scholarly journal Respiratory Medicine.
It is the first study to look at an association between air pollution, COVID-19 and individual patients, says Mendy. A study co-author, Xiao Wu, PhD, in the Department of Biostatistics at Harvard University, led a study last year looking at air pollution and COVID-19 mortality in the United States.
“This study may have policy implications such as reducing particulate exposure,” says Mendy. “Many people want to have more clean energy and reduced emissions into the atmosphere.”
Mendy says the findings of his pilot study are preliminary and he hopes to use it to generate support for a larger more comprehensive study of patients. The UC Health patients in the study were diagnosed with COVID-19 between March 13, 2020 and July 5, 2020. The dataset was stripped of all Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) identifiers. The median age for patients was 46 and 96.6% were residents of Ohio with the remaining 3.4% coming from Kentucky, Indiana, New York, South Carolina, West Virginia and Iowa.
Other study co-authors from UC include Jason Keller, a researcher in the Department of Bioinformatics; Cecily Fassler, PhD, postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences; Senu Apewokin, MD, an assistant professor in the Department of Internal Medicine; Tesfaye Mersha, an associate professor pediatrics; and Changchun Xie, PhD, and Susan Pinney, PhD, both professors in the Department of Environmental and Public Health Sciences.
Funding for the study included various grants from the National Institutes of Health supporting researchers.
Story Source: Materials provided by University of Cincinnati. Original written by Cedric Ricks. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Air pollution may affect severity and hospitalization in COVID-19 patients: Preliminary findings for pilot study could have policy implications — ScienceDaily

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Vélo: 6 accessoires pour rouler en toute sécurité

Posted on April 16, 2021 by Respro® UK Ltd

Un masque… pour éviter de respirer poussières, particules polluantes et pollens

Il cache le nez et la bouche, mais attention, son filtre, fixe ou amovible, n’est pas conçu pour protéger du Covid-19…

On aime Le Respro® City. Ce masque souple, en Néoprène hypoallergénique, s’attache avec des Velcro. Et, avec ses deux valves pour évacuer l’humidité produite par la respiration, il est confor- table (45 € avec un filtre). Bon à savoir Il existe deux types de filtre : City, dont le charbon actif protège de la pollution des villes, ou Sports, électrostatique, qui retient la poussière et les pollens. Les deux sont lavables. Leur durée de vie : de quatre à six mois.

Et aussi Les foulards lavables avec filtre intégré HAD Smog Protection (35 €) et Faceguard (44,95 €).

via femina.fr/article/a-velo-en-toute-securite

Posted in Air Quality | Tagged Respro® Mask Reviews | Leave a comment

Volcanic pollution link to respiratory disease increase

Posted on April 15, 2021 by Respro® UK Ltd

Respiratory disease increased markedly following one of Iceland’s largest volcanic eruptions, a new study has found.
The findings could have significant implications for actions taken to protect the health of the 800 million people living near active volcanoes. Only last month, lava burst through a crack in Iceland’s Mount Fagradalsfjall in the first eruption of its type for more than 800 years.
The new research, led by the Universities of Leeds and Iceland, examined the health impacts of pollution caused by the Holuhraun lava eruption in 2014-2015.
It showed that, following exposure to emissions that changed chemically from gas to fine particles, incidents of respiratory disease in Iceland rose by almost a quarter, and the incidence of asthma medication dispensing by a fifth.
The findings, published today in Nature Communications, highlight the need for decision-making authorities to prepare for health issues associated with returning emissions – known as mature plumes – in the days immediately following volcanic eruptions.
“Young and mature plumes can circulate at the same time, increasing harmful health effects on those in volcanic regions.” DR EVGENIA ILYINSKAYA, SCHOOL OF EARTH AND ENVIRONMENT
The report’s co-lead author, Dr Evgenia Ilyinskaya, from Leeds’ School of Earth and Environment, said: “Volcanoes are a significant source of air pollution, but of course it’s a source that cannot be controlled.
“Large volcanic eruptions can cause harmful air pollution both immediately, and also when the plume returns to the same area, which may happen without it triggering air pollution alerts.
“Our research shows that during prolonged eruptions such as Holuhraun, both young and mature plumes can be circulating at the same time, increasing the harmful health effects on those living in volcanic regions.
“This pollution return is not currently factored into responses to the threat to public health caused by volcanoes.”
The Holuhraun eruption was one of the biggest of its kind in the last 200 years, releasing 11 million tonnes of sulphur dioxide that spread across Iceland and the Atlantic Ocean towards Europe.
During the six month eruption, residents of Iceland’s capital, Reykjavík, were repeatedly exposed to the young and mature plumes, despite living 250km from the eruption site.
In their previous research, published in 2017, the scientists traced the evolution of the volcanic plume chemistry. They found that the plume had been swept by air currents towards the UK and mainland Europe before circling back to Icelandic cities and towns.
During this process, the plume composition matured as it lingered in the atmosphere – meaning that the volcanic sulphur dioxide had converted to particles.
These fine particles found in mature plumes are so small they can penetrate deep into the lungs, potentially causing serious health problems such as exacerbating asthma attacks.
In the returning plume, because the sulphur dioxide levels were reduced as the gas converted to particles, concentrations were therefore within European Commission air standards.
As a result, no health advisory message were in place in Iceland for the returning plume.
It is estimated that short and long-term exposure to these kinds of fine particles, from both human-made and natural sources, cause more than three million premature deaths globally per year and remains the single largest environmental health risk in Europe.
The new findings highlight the health risks of pollutants lingering in the atmosphere, and the implications for monitoring emissions from volcanic activity.
They point to the global need for health risk assessments and population safety management following volcanic eruptions.
Co-lead author Dr Hanne Krage Carlsen, from the University of Iceland and University of Gothenburg, said: “Iceland has some of the most complete health care records in the world. This was the first time a population of a considerable size and density could be assessed following major volcanic activity.
“This study provides the most robust evidence to date that exposure to a chemically-mature volcanic plume leads to increased use of a country’s health care system.
“It also emphasizes that emissions from volcanoes are a region-wide issue, in this case potentially affecting the whole North Atlantic region.
“As the Holuhraun plume returned to Iceland, there was increased use of GPs and hospital emergency care units with regards to respiratory diseases. At the same time, there was a lack of public health advice.
“We recommend that future Government responses to volcanic air pollution globally consider both the implications to health caused by the initial eruptions, but also those of the returning plumes with additional threats to health.”
Further information
“Increased respiratory morbidity associated with exposure to a mature volcanic plume from a large Icelandic fissure eruption” is published 10:00 GMT 12 April 2021 in Nature Communications; DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22432-5.
Exposure to the mature plume was associated with an increase in health care utilisation for respiratory disease by 23% (95%CI 19.7-27.4%) and for asthma medication dispensing by 19.3% (95%CI 9.6-29.1%) during the Holuhraun eruption in 2014.
Research paper affiliations include: University of Leeds; University of Iceland; Icelandic Meteorological Office; Environment Agency of Iceland; Icelandic Directorate of Health; University of Gothenburg; University of Cambridge; Harvard University; National University Hospital, Iceland; Karolinska Institutet, Sweden.
University of Leeds | News > Environment > Volcanic pollution link to respiratory disease increase

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Airborne plastic pollution ‘spiralling around the globe’, study finds

Posted on April 13, 2021 by Respro® UK Ltd

Rising levels of microplastic pollution raise questions about the impact on human health, experts say
Microplastic pollution is now “spiralling around the globe”, according to a study of airborne plastic particles.
The researchers said human pollution has led to a global plastic cycle, akin to natural processes such as the carbon cycle, with plastic moving through the atmosphere, oceans and land. The result is the “plastification” of the planet, said one scientist.
The analysis calls plastic pollution one of the most pressing environmental issues of the 21st century. It indicates that the billions of tonnes of plastic discarded into the oceans and land and being broken down into tiny pieces are being thrown back into the air by road traffic and winds over seas and farmland.
People are already known to breathe, drink and eat microplastics and the other research suggests levels of pollution will continue to rise rapidly. The scientists said this “raises questions on the impact of accumulating plastics in the atmosphere on human health. The inhalation of particles can be irritating to lung tissue and lead to serious diseases.”
Prof Natalie Mahowald, at Cornell University in the US and part of the research team, said: “What we’re seeing right now is the accumulation of mismanaged plastics just going up. Some people think it’s going to increase by tenfold [per decade].
“But maybe we could solve this before it becomes a huge problem, if we manage our plastics better, before they accumulate in the environment and swirl around everywhere.”

She said clearing up ocean plastic could help reduce the amount that gets thrown back up into the atmosphere, and that more biodegradable plastics could be part of the solution.
The research, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, examined airborne microplastics, which have been far less studied than plastic in oceans and rivers.
The team had more than 300 samples of airborne microplastics from 11 sites across the western US, the best dataset available globally. These were the basis for atmospheric modelling that estimated the contribution from different sources, the first such study to do so.
Virtually none of the airborne microplastics came directly from plastic being discarded in cities and towns, the scientists found, but were the result of road traffic and winds across oceans and farmland whipping up plastic particles already in the environment.
“We thought population centres would be a much better source, obviously, but it just didn’t work out that way,” Mahowald said. “Resuspension [of microplastics] makes the most sense with this set of data.”

They found that roads were the dominant factor in the western US, linked to about 85% of the microplastics in the air. These are likely to include particles from tyres and brake pads on vehicles, and plastics from litter that had been ground down. The oceans were estimated to be the source of about 10% of the airborne plastics in western US, and soils 5%.
The researchers extended their modelling work to a global level and this suggested that while roads are also likely to be the dominant driver of airborne plastics in Europe, South America and Australia, plastic particles blown up from fields may be a much bigger factor in Africa and Asia.
The modelling showed that smaller microplastics can remain in the atmosphere for a week, long enough to be blown across continents. It also showed plastic pollution will be falling on Antarctica.
The scientists said the lack of observations in many parts of the world meant there were significant uncertainties in their estimates. Their work shows in particular a lack of data on plastics in the air above the oceans. They said work to understand the sources and consequences of microplastics in the atmosphere should be a priority.
Prof Andreas Stohl, at the Norwegian Institute for Air Research and not part of the study team, said: “What humans have been doing for decades now is what I call a ‘plastification’ of the landscape and oceans.

“The study confirms the global-scale nature of microplastic transport in the atmosphere and does a good job in highlighting highly relevant and concerning possibilities, but more measurement data is needed to get a better idea of the sources.”
Stohl said: “People should be concerned about airborne microplastics. Firstly, because they will inhale it and it is very likely that this will have some health impacts. And secondly, because the atmosphere is a great distributor. It transports plastic particles to regions where we definitely don’t want to have them: agricultural fields, national parks, oceans, the Arctic, even Antarctica. Eventually, we will have extremely high concentrations of plastics everywhere.”
Microplastic pollution has been detected across the planet, from the summit of Mount Everest to the deepest oceans. The revelation in December of small plastic particles in human placentas was described by scientists as “a matter of great concern”.

via Airborne plastic pollution ‘spiralling around the globe’, study finds | Plastics | The Guardian