Though the potential ramifications for human and ecosystem health are still being researched, early studies don?t look good. There?s reason to believe microplastic pollution can harm ocean ecosystems and damage human lungs. To Francesca de Falco, a post-doctoral research fellow at the University of Plymouth who?s authored numerous studies on microplastics, that?s reason enough to try and curb microfiber pollution immediately.

?Because they are plastic particles in the environment, they are not going to disappear,? she explains. ?The concentration will become greater year after year, and we will reach a critical point where we will have consequences but will not be able to do anything to stop them.?