Teen Built Microplastic Filter in Her Garage
An 18-year-old Virginia high schooler created a water filter that removes 95% of microplastics using magnetic oil. Mia Heller's invention needs no membranes or constant maintenance and recycles itself.
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117 results for "** microplastics"
Scientists Discover True Source of Airborne Microplastics
New research reveals land releases 20 times more microplastic particles into the air than oceans do, overturning what scientists previously believed. The findings also show that earlier estimates dramatically overestimated how much plastic pollution floats through our atmosphere.
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Teen Invents Filter That Removes 96% of Microplastics
An 18-year-old Virginia student created a self-cleaning water filter that removes nearly all microplastics without expensive membranes. Her invention costs less and requires almost no maintenance compared to traditional systems.
Engineer Creates Algae That Eats Microplastics From Water
A University of Missouri scientist engineered algae that attracts and removes microplastics from water while cleaning wastewater and creating useful bioplastic products. The breakthrough could transform how cities treat water and tackle plastic pollution.
Fiddler Crabs Break Down Microplastics in Polluted Forest
Scientists discovered that fiddler crabs in Colombia's polluted mangrove forests are breaking down microplastics at record rates, absorbing 16 times the concentration found in soil. While not a cure-all, the discovery reveals how nature adapts to human-made challenges in unexpected ways.
Plant Seeds Remove 98% of Microplastics From Water
Scientists in Brazil discovered that seeds from the Moringa oleifera plant can filter out nearly all microplastics from drinking water, offering a natural alternative to chemicals that works better across different water conditions. The breakthrough could make clean water more accessible and affordable worldwide.
New Filter Stops Microplastics From Washing Into Oceans
A breakthrough laundry filter catches the tiny plastic fibers that shed from synthetic clothing during washing, stopping them before they reach our waterways. About 69% of our clothes contain these microplastics that normally flow straight into rivers and oceans.
Moringa Seeds Remove Microplastics From Drinking Water
Brazilian scientists discovered that common moringa seeds can remove dangerous microplastics from water just as well as harsh chemicals. This natural, low-cost solution could transform water safety in communities worldwide.
US Launches $134M Program to Remove Microplastics From Bodies
The federal government just announced a groundbreaking $134 million initiative to measure, track, and safely remove microplastics from human bodies and drinking water. Every tested human placenta contains plastic particles, but scientists are finally fighting back.
EPA Adds Microplastics to Drinking Water Study List
The EPA just took the first official step toward potentially regulating microplastics in America's drinking water. It's a process that could take years, but advocates say it's an important signal that the government is listening to public health concerns.
Microplastics Found in 90% of Prostate Cancer Tumors
Scientists at NYU Langone Health discovered small plastic fragments in most prostate cancer tumors they examined, with cancerous tissue containing twice as much plastic as healthy tissue. While the finding doesn't prove microplastics cause cancer, it highlights a potential health concern and the need for more research.
U.S. Launches $144M Plan to Track Microplastics in Water
The federal government just announced a major initiative to study and monitor microplastics in drinking water across America. The $144 million program will develop tools to measure these tiny plastic particles and understand their impact on human health.
Indian Teens Win Global Prize for Microplastic Filter
Three 16-year-olds from India just won the Global Earth Prize for inventing a powder made from tamarind seeds that removes microplastics from drinking water using nothing but a magnet. Their solution, called Plas-Stick, works without electricity and costs almost nothing to make.
3 Indian Teens Remove Microplastics Using Tamarind Powder
Three 16-year-olds from India just won $100,000 for inventing a kitchen-ingredient solution that pulls invisible microplastics from drinking water using nothing but tamarind seed powder and a magnet. Their creation, called Plas-Stick, could help over 2 billion people who lack access to clean water infrastructure.
Pacific Islands Cut Fish Microplastic Rates to Just 5%
While one-third of Pacific fish contain microplastics, new research reveals some island nations have cracked the code on keeping their waters clean. Vanuatu's fish show just 5% contamination, proving remote islands can protect their ocean food supply.
UK Inventor's Filter Captures 4.6 Tons of Microplastics
A simple washing machine filter invented by Adam Root is already stopping tons of microplastic fibers from entering our oceans and bodies. With backing from giants like Bosch and $20 million in funding, his device is scaling from homes to textile factories.
Tamil Nadu Teams with IIT-M to Study Microplastics in Food
India's Tamil Nadu government is partnering with the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology-Madras to understand how microplastics in everyday food packaging affect human health. The groundbreaking study follows alarming research showing plastic compounds were found in the blood of newborn babies.
Lab Gloves Contaminated Microplastic Studies for Years
Scientists discovered their protective gloves were accidentally adding thousands of false plastic particles to pollution research. A chemistry team created new methods to fix contaminated data and help researchers avoid the mistake going forward.
Orange-Scented Algae Captures Microplastics From Water
Scientists engineered algae that smells like oranges to magnetically attract and remove tiny plastic particles from drinking water. The breakthrough could clean wastewater, reduce pollution, and transform captured plastics into safer materials. #
Manta Ray-Inspired Filter Traps 3x More Laundry Microplastics
Three inventors in Ohio looked to the ocean for help cleaning up the ocean. Their washing machine filter mimics manta ray mouths to capture tiny plastic fibers before they reach waterways.
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