logo
episode-header-image
May 2021
21m 22s

Audio long-read: How harmful are micropl...

SPRINGER NATURE LIMITED
About this episode

Scientists are trying to figure out whether these pervasive plastic specks are dangerous.


Wherever they look – from the bottom of oceans to the top of mountains – researchers are uncovering tiny specks of plastic, known as microplastics.


Scientists are trying to understand the potential impacts of ingesting these pervasive plastics but early results are ambiguous, as some experiments might not reflect the diversity of microplastics that exist in the real world.


This is an audio version of our feature: Microplastics are everywhere — but are they harmful?


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Nov 19
Insulin cream offers needle-free option for diabetes
<h2>00:45 A molecule that delivers insulin through the skin</h2><p>Researchers have developed a skin-permeable polymer that can deliver insulin into the body, which they say could one day offer an alternative to injections for diabetes management. The skin’s structure presents a ... Show More
42m 5s
Nov 14
‘Malicious use is already happening’: machine-learning pioneer on making AI safer
<p>Yoshua Bengio, considered by many to be&nbsp;one of the godfathers of AI,&nbsp;has long&nbsp;been at the forefront of machine-learning research&nbsp;. However, his opinions on the technology have shifted in recent years&nbsp;— he joins us to talk about&nbsp;ways to address the ... Show More
15m 6s
Nov 12
Huge eruption on a distant star confirmed at last
00:45 A coronal mass ejection from a distant starResearchers have detected what they say is the strongest evidence yet of a coronal mass ejection (CME) coming from a star other than our Sun. CMEs are massive bursts of fast-moving plasma that can be detected thanks to the characte ... Show More
33m 51s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2024
Microplastics are everywhere. What can we do about it?
<p>With every breath you take, you could be inhaling microplastics. Today, we talk about where they come from, how they impact our health and what we can do to avoid them in our daily lives.</p><p><br></p><p>Read more:</p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background ... Show More
21m 15s
Nov 2018
Why We Fell In Love with Plastic
Plastic waste and pollution have become a global problem but is there any sign of a global solution? And how did we allow this to happen in the first place? Materials scientist and broadcaster, Professor Mark Miodownik, explores how we fell in love with plastic, why we've ended u ... Show More
26m 28s
Feb 2024
How big a problem are microplastics?
<p>Tiny plastic particles are ubiquitous in our food, water, and environment. What are the potential harms and what can we do to protect ourselves?</p><p>Mentioned in this Episode:</p><p><a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10408398.2022.2132212">Food and human s ... Show More
8m 46s
Dec 2022
Plastic Rap
<p>Plastic waste never really breaks down. It just splits into tinier and tinier pieces until it becomes trillions of microscopic bits scattered across the world. Microplastics are everywhere: In the air we breathe and the water we drink, atop the highest mountains and in the dee ... Show More
38m 23s
Nov 2022
Microplastics and human health
<p>Until we know more, it makes sense to avoid microplastics as much as possible</p> 
4m 48s
Sep 2020
What is plastic?
<p><strong>#062</strong></p> <p>Think about it for a second, plastic is everywhere. What plastic things are around you right now? What plastic things do you use everyday? This week, Melissa and Jam dive right into the proverbial (and sort of literal) ball pit. What even is plasti ... Show More
31m 52s
Dec 2022
The Myth of Plastic Recycling
For many, recycling feels like a tangible way to personally combat climate change and to positively affect the environment. But after a years long investigation, NPR correspondent Laura Sullivan finds that reality is generally the opposite: Only a small fraction of plastic is ult ... Show More
13m 48s