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Microplastics Awareness and Solutions: Protecting Our Planet

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First Published: 05/03/2025

Updated: 05/03/2025

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Course content

- Week1Week 1: Plastic Pollution
5 pages contain editor comments.
- Current section:
  Introduction
  The first synthetic polymer, Bakelite, was invented in 1907 by Leo Baekeland. It marked the beginning of the modern plastics industry. Plastics quickly gained popularity because they were lightweight, durable, and inexpensive alternatives to materials like metal, glass, and ivory.Plastic production surged during and after World War II, as materials like nylon were used in parachutes, ropes, and other military applications. By the 1950s, mass production of consumer goods using plastics (e.g.,...
  (3)
- Learning outcomes
  (1)
- 1 Why have plastics become so ubiquitous?
  (1)
- 2 The Dark Side of Plastic Pollution
  (5)
- 3 What is Microplastics?
  (2)
- 4 Environmental and Health Impacts of Microplastics
- Conclusion
- References
- Acknowledgements

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Microplastics Awareness and Solutions: Protecting Our Planet

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