Today, Explained Plastic rain, plastic rain
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Apr 9, 2025 
Benji Jones, an environmental correspondent at Vox, dives into the unsettling issue of microplastics infiltrating our rainwater. He unveils shocking research revealing plastic particles falling from the sky and the potential health risks associated with them, including links to cancer and infertility. Reflecting on past victories against pollution, Jones emphasizes the urgent need for awareness and regulation to combat this crisis. He also shares practical tips for individuals looking to reduce their plastic footprint and the importance of global cooperation on this pressing issue.
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Microplastics Defined
- Microplastics are tiny plastic pieces, less than five millimeters long.
- They're found everywhere, from clothing fibers to degraded water bottles and nurdles.
Plastic Rain Ubiquity
- Microplastics are present in rain globally, indicating their integration into ecosystems.
- This presence makes plastic as fundamental as microbes and bacteria.
Plastic Rain in National Parks
- A study found microplastics equivalent to 120-300 million water bottles yearly in Western US national parks' rain.
- This unseen plastic pollution exceeds visible trash.