[slacka]

We are guinea pigs in a worldwide experiment on microplastics, and I fear it will turn out worse for us than our grandparents with asbestos.

However, you're not powerless. Personally, cook your food in metal and try to drink out of glass and metal. For the world, work hard and save up. As a SW engineer, you should be able to save up. Put some of your money into organizations that are trying to save the environment. Donate some money to politicians that recognize these threats.

[Gibbon1]

Yeah personal action isn't pointless, but it's probably only gets us 20% of the way there. 20% isn't nothing tho.

What I've been lead to believe is the elephant in the room vis micro-plastics is clothing. A lot ends up in rivers and oceans via waste water. Check your dry lint trap lately? That's the big stuff. All the micro stuff ends up down the drain or in the air.

Other than going full naked hippy how are you supposed to deal with that on a personal level?

[ridgeguy]

Is it known whether clothing generates a large fraction of microplastics? If so, switching to cotton and other non-synthetic materials might make a difference.

[scottlocklin]

Known: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/nov/22/tyres-an...

Stop wearing shitty clothes.

I don't know why this is remotely controversial or unknown; somehow people imagine the plastic bottle they drank from, or the plastic bag they stored their lunchtime sammich in, will instantly atomize into micron sized particles which snow on the arctic. No. Micron sized particles of plastic come from micron sized fibers in your goddamned cheap "high tech" polyester hoodie (and dipshits burning rubber).

If programmers really want to do their bit on this issue; start wearing a wool suit, cotton shirt and silk necktie.

[labawi]

Note the link mentions tire abrasion not burning.

By their estimate, roadside tire grind results in more microplastics in waterways than clothing, lost plastic pellets and building paint combined.

[_jahh]

natural fibers?