A new video has shown that coral reefs in the Philippines is littered.
The video shows that the coral reefs are littered with face masks. The face mask pollution was discovered by divers in the coral reefs in the Philippines, one of the divers said that they never had that sort of pollution before.
Many face masks were found, along with plastic face shields in the reefs.
These masks aren't just causing the sea to be polluted, they are also causing the plastic to break down in the water into potential micro plastics.
This is worrying, as the fish in the coral reefs consume the micro fabrics.
What Are Microplastics?
Microplastics are very small pieces of plastic that are found in different things.
Microplastics are found in everything from toothpastes, to soaps, shower gels, textiles, face masks and more. These microplastics or microbeads, then wash out to our seas and oceans and cause plastic pollution.
Why Are Microplastics Harmful?
Microplastics are harmful because they cause plastic pollution.
These microplastics are also harmful to marine animals, as marine animals consume microplastics. Microplastics can cause reproduction problems in marine animals. Small and big marine animals are consuming microplastics. Last year a study was published that found that most Sharks had consumed microplastics.
Other findings about marine animals and microplastics has also been shocking, as one study found that at least 100 different species of aquatic animals have been found with microplastics in them. While another study found that microplastics have been found inside every marine mammal. We are not just polluting marine ecosystems with microplastics, we are also causing harm to marine animals with microplastics, and, that impacts people too.
Microplastics impact people too because these plastics have been found in fish and shellfish that people eat. Therefore, people are also unknowingly eating microplastics. Just last year, it was found that every seafood sample that was bought at market, was found to have microplastics in the seafood.
These microplastics have been found in fish that have came from UK supermarkets too and, 1 in 4 seafoods have come with microplastics in them.
Back To The New Findings
The new findings of face masks polluting coral reefs in the Philippines is a new worry for microplastic pollution, as microplastics could be found in face masks.
Face masks are a potential source for microplastics.
They are also a new form of pollution. The amount of waste and pollution being caused by face masks and plastic gloves in recent times is massive - it is estimated that 194 billion face masks and plastic gloves are now used every month.
It's worrying that we now have a new form of pollution and, it's also a concern how this pollution will affect ecosystems and wild animals.
Please don't throw away masks, as its harmful to people, animals and the planet.
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