Page 8 - SGG_220316_Teachers_Handbook_Module_2

• Atmospheric air
• Salt
• Marine mammals, fish, invertebrates, and fish-eating birds

(Youmatter, 2020)

Page | 8 Are they harmful?
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There is not enough information to evaluate the true amount of microplastics that can affect or
cause any risk to human health. However, more than 100 laboratory studies have exposed animals,
to microplastics, causing them to reproduce less effectively or suffer physical damage. Researchers
are worried the most about the ones, that are so small that could enter human cells or tissues,
which can inflame lung tissue and lead to cancer. (Lim, 2021)
Ask your class to think and list some problems and effects of the linear economy on the world.
They can be introduced to single-use plastics and how they are converted to microplastics as an
example of a linear economy.

You can use the following image to explain the generation of microplastics:

Source: https://encounteredu.com/multimedia/images/sources-of-microplastics

Additional resources:

• Lesson plan about microplastics:
• https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2018/01/Lesson-Plan_-Microfibers.pdf
• Surprising facts about microplastics: https://www.orcanation.org/2019/08/14/five-
surprising-facts-you-should-know-about-microplastic/
• Fun activities to teach about plastic pollution:https://www.unep.org/news-and-
stories/story/five-fun-activities-teach-your-children-about-plastic-pollution

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This communication reflects the
views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the

information contained therein.