particles that have been manufactured to a particular size to carry out a range of specific functions
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The distinction between primary and secondary microplastics is based on whether the particles were originally manufactured to be that size (primary) or whether they have resulted from the breakdown of larger items (secondary). It is a useful distinction because it can help to indicate potential sources and identify mitigation measures to reduce their input to the environment.
Esmaseks mikroplastiks loetakse valmistoodetes sisalduvaid töödeldud mikroskoopilisi plastosakesi. Näiteks mikropelletid, mida kasutatakse koorivates hügieenitoodetes või laeva kere ja vrakkide puhastamisel.
Üheks primaarse mikroplasti allikaks peetakse erinevaid kosmeetika-, hügieeni- ja puhastustooteid, milledesse on plastosakesi lisatud nende kooriva või abrasiivse iseloomu tõttu. Teiseks oluliseks primaarse mikroplasti allikaks on erinevad plastitööstused, kus toormaterjalina kasutatakse väikesemõõtmelisi plastpelleteid.
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Primaarseks loetakse seda mikroplasti, mis toodetakse tahtlikult väikesemõõtmelisena ning mida kasutatakse kas erinevates toodetes või toormena plastitööstustes.
Primary microplastics include industrial 'scrubbers' used to blast clean surfaces, plastic powders used in moulding, micro-beads in cosmetic formulation, and plastic nanoparticles used in a variety of industrial processes.
The main source of primary microplastics at sea is due to the introduction of plastic resin beads as a result of accidental loss of cargo.
