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Microplastics, tiny plastic particles less than 5mm in size, are pervasive in our oceans. They originate from the breakdown of larger plastics, industrial processes, and personal care products (Andrady, 2017). These particles pose a significant threat to marine life, with cascading effects on human health.

Impact on Marine Life

Marine animals of all sizes ingest microplastics, mistaking them for food (Wright et al., 2013). This can lead to:

• Physical harm: Blockages in the digestive system, internal injuries, and reduced feeding efficiency (Rochman et al., 2015).
• Chemical toxicity: Microplastics can leach harmful chemicals or absorb toxins from the surrounding water, which can then accumulate in the animal’s tissues (Browne et al., 2013).
• Reproductive issues: Microplastics can interfere with reproductive processes, reducing fertility and offspring survival (Galloway et al., 2017).

Impact on Human Health

The effects of microplastics on human health are still being studied, but there are concerns about:

• Ingestion: Microplastics can enter the human food chain when we consume seafood (Van Cauwenberghe & Janssen, 2014).
• Inhalation: Airborne microplastics can be inhaled, potentially causing respiratory problems (Prata et al., 2020).
• Chemical exposure: Microplastics can leach harmful chemicals into the human body or act as carriers for other toxins (Halpern et al., 2015).

What Can We Do?

Addressing the microplastic problem requires a multi-faceted approach:

• Reduce plastic consumption: Use less plastic, especially single-use items.
• Proper waste disposal: Recycle and dispose of plastic waste responsibly.
• Support legislation: Advocate for policies that reduce plastic production and pollution.
• Raise awareness: Educate others about the dangers of microplastics.

Conclusion

Microplastics are a growing threat to marine life and potentially to human health. By taking action to reduce plastic consumption and pollution, we can help protect our oceans and ourselves.

References

• Andrady, A. L. (2017). Microplastics in the marine environment. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 119(1-2), 43-52.
• Browne, M. A., Galloway, T. S., Thompson, R. C., & Dawson, L. A. (2013). Microplastics: an emerging contaminant of potential concern. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management, 9(4), 540-542.
• Galloway, T. S., Cole, M., & Johnston, E. L. (2017). Microplastics: a threat to human health?. Current Opinion in Environmental Science & Health, 1, 17-21.
• Halpern, B. S., Regnier, P., & Rochman, C. M. (2015). Policy: Policy implications of microplastics. Science, 348(6230), 25-26.
• Prata, J. A., da Costa, J. P., da Silva, I., Lopes, I., & Duarte, A. C. (2020). Environmental exposure to microplastics: An overview on possible human health effects. Science of The Total Environment, 702, 134455.  
• Rochman, C. M., Browne, M. A., Halpern, B. S., Hentschel, B. T., Hoh, E., Karapanagioti, H. K., … & Thompson, R. C. (2015). Policy: Classify microplastics as hazardous. Nature, 524(7564), 169-171.
• Van Cauwenberghe, S., & Janssen, C. R. (2014). Microplastics in fisheries and aquaculture: status of knowledge on their occurrence and implications for aquatic organisms and food safety. FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Technical Paper, (615), 75p.  
• Wright, S. L., Thompson, R. C., & Galloway, T. S. (2013). The physical impacts of microplastics on marine and estuarine invertebrates. Environmental Pollution, 178, 283-291.

We’ve all heard stories of someone getting stung by a bee and barely reacting, while another person ends up in the emergency room. It’s a common observation that the same venom or poison can elicit vastly different reactions in different individuals. But what’s behind this variability? The answer is complex and involves a fascinating interplay of several factors.

One of the most significant factors is body weight and size. A larger person will generally have a greater volume of blood and other fluids to dilute the venom, leading to a less concentrated dose at the target tissues (Casarett & Doull’s Toxicology: The Basic Science of Poisons, 2019). Think of it like diluting a drop of ink in a bucket versus a glass of water – the concentration is much lower in the bucket.

Age also plays a crucial role. Children and the elderly often have more sensitive physiological systems. Children, due to their smaller size and developing organs, may experience more severe reactions to toxins (Klaassen, 2015). Similarly, older adults may have diminished organ function, making it harder for their bodies to process and eliminate the venom, leading to prolonged or more intense symptoms.

Our individual genetic makeup is another key determinant. Genes influence how our bodies metabolize and respond to various substances, including toxins (Hodgson, 2010). Genetic variations can affect the activity of enzymes that break down the venom, the number and sensitivity of receptors that bind to the toxin, and the strength of our immune response. This means that even if two people are exposed to the same amount of venom, their bodies might handle it very differently based on their genes.

Pre-existing health conditions can also significantly impact the severity of a reaction. Individuals with allergies, asthma, heart conditions, or other chronic illnesses may be more vulnerable to the effects of venom (Goldfrank’s Toxicologic Emergencies, 2018). For example, someone with a history of allergic reactions is more likely to experience anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction, even from a relatively small dose of venom.

Finally, the route of exposure and the amount of venom injected are critical factors. A larger dose of venom will generally lead to a more severe reaction (Dart et al., 2001). Similarly, venom injected directly into the bloodstream will have a faster and more widespread effect compared to venom injected into the skin.

In conclusion, the variability in reactions to venoms and poisons is a result of a complex interaction of factors, including body weight and size, age, genetics, pre-existing health conditions, and the specifics of the exposure. Understanding these factors is crucial for providing appropriate medical care and developing effective treatments for envenomation and poisoning.

References

• *Casarett & Doull’s Toxicology: The Basic Science of Poisons. (2019). (8th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
• *Dart, R. C., Otten, E. J., & Rabkin, S. W. (2001). General management of pit viper envenomations. In: Wilderness Medical Society practice guidelines for the treatment of bites and stings. Wilderness & Environmental Medicine, 12(3), 127-135.
• *Goldfrank’s Toxicologic Emergencies. (2018). (11th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
• *Hodgson, E. (2010). A textbook of environmental toxicology. (3rd ed.). CRC Press.
• *Klaassen, C. D. (2015). Casarett and Doull’s toxicology: The basic science of poisons. (8th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.

Springtime is coming with warmer and longer days. This will also mean that the herpetofauna will slowly wake up. On Facebook, you can find a group dedicated to the wild reptiles and amphibians in Sweden. Every year the members post stories, pictures, and discussions. A lot of focus is on the snakes, but all other species of herpetological interest are welcome. You can look up the group named ‘Svenska Ormar’. This is also the biggest reptile group on Facebook in Swedish.

Scientists, specialists, professionals, biologists, and people within the herpetological society and associations are among those who keep the information factual and correct. The group is public and meant to be informative whereas everyone can ask any relevant question, or post a picture to share. Discussions are held mainly in Swedish, but English is welcome, and even though the automatic translation interface is not very good everyone should be able to follow discussions.

Every year the media scare the public and pour fuel on their fires. However, the group does a marvelous job when it comes to delivering balanced information about the risks, dangers, and identifications of the snake species.

Anyone interested in participating in the projects mentioned may volunteer to do so. There is no need for formal affiliation, education, or credentials to be a part of the information gathering and sourcing. If you can follow directives and conduct database searches, you can contribute to the work as a non-authoring contributor. If interested, you can leave a message via the contact page or register as a member on this site.

An Area has been created strictly for interested members, collaborators, or project contributors. There will be separate areas, depending on your role. We mainly work in cloud-based systems, so people from all over the world can take part.