Scientists scare quantity #microplastics in air. British scientists call the outcome of their research on microplastics pollution in four major cities worrying. London's air appears to be 20 times more heavily polluted than in cities such as Paris, Hamburg and Dongguan.

Microplastics are small particles of plastic that end up in the environment. The particles can be microscopic or a few millimeters in size. Scientists have recovered such particles in every continent, even in the deepest oceans.

So far, only four cities have been investigated, but researchers expect each city to prove contaminated. Microplastics are included in many products such as shampoo, toothpaste, water bottles and makeup. But honey, fish and even a beer is also not plastic-free. A part is received directly during tooth brushing or drinking tea, and a part is received by inhaling the air. But also because of litter that disappears into the water and eventually enters the food chain via fish.

The health effects of breathing or consuming the small plastic particles are unclear. Experts warn urgent research is needed to assess risks. In the Netherlands, there are currently several studies on the health effects of microparticles on humans.

Microplastics