マイクロプラスチック

まいくろぷらすちっく
noun
microplastics
naturescience
1. microplastics
Tiny fragments of plastic, generally less than 5 mm, found in oceans, rivers, food, and even the human body. A major environmental and public health concern.
海(うみ)でマイクロプラスチックが見(み)つかった。
Microplastics were found in the ocean.
Microplastics have also been detected in the bodies of fish.
マイクロプラスチック汚染(おせん)を減(へ)らすために、レジ袋(ぶくろ)が有料化(ゆうりょうか)された。
Plastic bags were made paid for in order to reduce microplastic pollution.

Loanword from English. Refers to plastic particles smaller than about 5 millimeters; an environmental term that appears constantly in news coverage.

Common collocations

Related words

  • ナノプラスチック: nanoplastics (even smaller, sub-micrometer)
  • プラスチックごみ: plastic waste (broader, includes large items)