Chelsea M. Rochman
Microplastics are not microplastics are not microplastics, just like pesticides are not pesticides are not pesticides. “Microplastics,” like other classes of chemical contaminants, is a catch-all term for a variety of unique chemical compounds. Yet, many scientific publications, policy reports, and media articles present microplastics as if they are simply a single compound or type of material. The authors of this article make the case that it is necessary to rethink microplastics (plastic particles <5 mm in size) and consider them a suite or class of contaminants, in the same way we do for pesticides, trace metals, or flame retardants. Microplastics are diverse; they come from many different product types; incorporate a broad range of sizes, colors, and morphologies; are composed of various polymers; and include a broad array of chemical additives. This diversity is important to consider, and thinking of them like we do other classes of contaminants may help us advance methods for sampling and analysis and help us better understand the sources from which they enter the environment; their fate in water, sediment, and organisms; their toxicity; and relevant policies for mitigation.
