The UMCG website shows YouTube videos. YouTube places cookies if you watch them. Choose ‘Rather not’ if you do not want these cookies. We also place cookies of our own. These help us improve the usability of our website.
More on our cookie policy.
Microplastics are pieces of plastic smaller than five millimeters. All particles smaller than one millionth of a millimeter are called nanoplastics. Some microplastics are released through the wear and tear of, among other things, synthetic clothing you wear, car tires and litter. Others are deliberately added to cosmetics, toothpaste, detergents, care, cleaning and maintenance products, among other things. They have a clear function. For example, they make sunscreen water-resistant and they ensure that mascara adheres to your eyelashes.
In an episode of Koffietijd Prof Barbro Melgert explains what microplastics are and why they could be dangerous for humans. Watch the episode of Koffietijd.