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Who Suffers from Microplastic Pollution?
Further Research studied the impact microplastics had in local community tap water in cities labeled Cities “A,” “B,” and “C.” After explaining the situations that allow microplastics to be able to infiltrate the water supplies, he states his focus is on “looking at the presence of microplastics in local communities of different demographics and socioeconomic statuses.” Not surprisingly, it was observed how the city with “the largest population, higher percentage of minorities, and worse off socioeconomic status, had the highest particle count.” This once again shows the pattern that slow violence takes, in that those who are the most vulnerable often suffer the most, especially in urban areas.
"Triple Planetary Crisis"-UN
“In general, vulnerable populations are at even greater risk of the negative health impacts from the production, use and degradation of plastics,” says Johnson. She cited a 2021 United Nations report on global plastics pollution that detailed Indigenous communities’ displacement for oil extraction, contamination of water supplies in low-income communities, health problems among predominantly Black communities living near oil refineries in the South, among other dangers faced by at-risk communities. Black people are also 75% more likely to live near toxic facilities.
“Residents of “fenceline” communities adjacent to plastic production and waste disposal sites experience increased risks of premature birth, low birth weight, asthma, childhood leukemia, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer.”