The Unraveling Mystery of Plastic Shedding:

Have you ever wondered where those tiny, disruptive pieces of plastic that coat our  Earth come from? Well, we're one step closer to bypassing the riddle, courtesty of the science wizards at Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science!

Plastic's Not-So-Fantastic Side:

Plastic contains a mind-boggling number of micro- and nanoscopic pieces. Some disturbingly minuscule, they're even smaller than a virus and have the potential to mess with our cells and tinker with our DNA. They've been found practically everywhere from the frosty blanket of Antarctic snow to the blood within humans. Researchers have now uncovered the molecular process that causes these minute fragments to break off in such massive amounts.

Double-Edged Sword of Plastic's Construction:

The inherent structure of plastic, which minsters both strength and flexibility, also makes it susceptible to forming nanoplastics. Under the gaze of a mighty microscope, one can observe layers of rigidly-structured, crystal-packed hard material alternating with amorphous, soft layers. A concoction of thousands of these layers results in lightweight, durable plastic. While incredibly handy, the innate strength of these materials ultimately contributes to the environmental degradation that releases these microplastics into our environment.

All About the Breakdown:

According to the researchers' recent paper, the breakdown process and formation of nanoplastics start in the soft layers of plastic. Over time, these layers grow weaker due to environmental wear and tear, causing them to break off even when the material isn't under stress. This breakdown leads to the release of hard, crystalline fragments, the troublesome nano- and microplastics that linger in our environment for centuries and wreak havoc on living organisms, including humankind.

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