Microplastics have become a global environmental concern.
Measuring less than five millimeters in length, these particles of plastic are found in waterways, oceans, and even in the food chain. The World Health Organization estimates that freshwater sources can have up to 1,000 particles of microplastics per liter.
As efforts to understand and mitigate the spread of microplastics intensify, every element of wastewater treatment is being analyzed. This has led to questions about whether grinders, a key component in wastewater treatment facilities, play a role in the creation of microplastics.
Understanding Microplastics and Their Classifications
Microplastics are classified into two main types: primary and secondary. Primary microplastics are manufactured as small particles, such as microbeads found in cosmetics. Secondary microplastics, on the other hand, are formed when larger plastic items break down into smaller fragments due to physical, chemical, or biological processes. Common sources include the breakdown of synthetic textiles, tire wear, and litter in the environment.
The Role of Grinders in Wastewater Treatment
Also known as comminutors or macerators, grinders are mechanical devices used in wastewater treatment facilities to break down solid waste, including plastic materials. They are designed to reduce large objects into smaller pieces, making it easier for downstream treatment processes.
Because grinders break down plastic materials, and because secondary microplastics are formed when large plastic items are broken down, it’s not much of a stretch to think that grinders could be responsible for creating microplastics.
But according to wastewater treatment professionals, this is a misconception.
Grinders typically produce larger cross-cut strips of plastic rather than the tiny particles defined as microplastics. While they contribute to the fragmentation of plastic waste, the resulting pieces are generally larger than five millimeters.
Common Sources of Microplastics
Research has shown that the primary contributors to microplastic pollution are not grinders, but other sources, including:
- Laundering Synthetic Textiles: Washing clothes made of synthetic materials, such as polyester and nylon, releases microfibers into wastewater systems. These microfibers are classified as microplastics and often pass through treatment facilities.
- Tire Wear: As vehicles move, the friction between tires and roads generates tiny plastic particles. These particles eventually make their way into the environment through stormwater runoff.
- City Dust: Urban areas generate microplastic particles from various sources, including construction materials, vehicle emissions, and discarded plastic waste.
Grinders and Microplastics: Fact vs. Misconception
The idea that grinders are a major source of microplastics is based on a misunderstanding of their function.
While grinders break down plastic waste into smaller pieces, these fragments are typically not small enough to be classified as microplastics. In fact, grinders can play a role in preventing microplastic pollution by reducing large plastic waste that might otherwise escape into the environment.
Grinders can help prevent blockages in wastewater systems, reducing the likelihood of untreated wastewater being released into natural water bodies. However, their role in microplastic creation is minimal compared to other sources.
Environmental Implications of Microplastics
Microplastics pose a range of environmental challenges.
Once they enter the water cycle, they are difficult to remove and can accumulate in aquatic ecosystems. Marine organisms, such as fish and shellfish, often ingest microplastics, which can cause physical harm and chemical contamination. These particles can also make their way up the food chain, posing potential risks to human health.
Wastewater treatment plants are designed to remove up to 99% of microplastics from incoming wastewater. But a significant portion of these particles remains in the sludge produced during treatment. If this sludge is used as fertilizer or disposed of improperly, microplastics can be reintroduced into the environment.
Strategies for Reducing Microplastic Pollution
Addressing the issue of microplastic pollution requires a multifaceted approach involving government regulation, industry innovation, and individual action. Some effective strategies include:
- Improving Wastewater Treatment: Investing in advanced filtration technologies can enhance the ability of wastewater treatment plants to capture microplastics before they enter natural water bodies.
- Reducing Single-Use Plastics: Encouraging the use of reusable materials and reducing the production of single-use plastics can help minimize the amount of plastic waste entering the environment.
- Textile Innovations: Developing synthetic textiles that shed fewer microfibers during washing and promoting the use of natural fibers can help reduce the release of microplastics from laundry.
- Public Awareness and Education: Educating the public about the impact of microplastics and promoting responsible waste disposal practices can help reduce plastic pollution at the source.
GPRS Services Support Safe, Effective Wastewater Management
To effectively address the issue of microplastic pollution, it is essential to focus on reducing plastic waste, promoting sustainable practices, and improving wastewater treatment.
A vital component of this process is ensuring wastewater stays where it belongs, and defects or damages in sewer pipes don’t send it – and the microplastics it carries – into our soil and groundwater.
GPRS supports safe and effective wastewater management through our comprehensive suite of sewer pipe inspection services. We utilize state-of-the-art, remote-controlled sewer inspection rovers and push-fed sewer pipe cameras, each equipped with CCTV cameras and sondes: instrument probes that allow us to map buried sewer lines while we’re inspecting them for defects like cross bores, inflow/infiltration (I/I), blockages, and more.
Even the most accurate infrastructure data is useless if you can’t access it on demand. That’s why GPRS created SiteMap® (patent pending), our project and facility management application that provides accurate existing conditions documentation to protect your assets and people.
With SiteMap®, the field-verified data our Project Managers collect on your site is at your fingertips 24/7, securely accessible via computer, tablet, or smartphone so that you and your team can plan, design, manage, dig, and ultimately build better.
From sewer lines to skyscrapers, GPRS Intelligently Visualizes The Built World® to keep your projects on time, on budget, and safe.
What can we help you visualize?
Frequently Asked Questions
What size pipes can GPRS inspect?
Our NASSCO-certified VPI Project Managers can inspect pipes from 2” in diameter and up.
What deliverables does GPRS offer when conducting a video pipe inspection?
GPRS is proud to offer WinCan reporting to our Video Pipe Inspection clients. Maintaining sewers starts with understanding sewer condition, and WinCan allows GPRS Project Managers to collect detailed, NASSCO-compliant inspection data. GPRS Project Managers not only inspect the interior condition of sewer pipes, laterals, and manholes – they can also provide a map of their location. The GPRS Mapping & Modeling Department can provide detailed GPS overlays and CAD files. Our detailed WinCan/NASSCO reports contain screenshots of the interior condition of the pipe segments that we inspect, as well as a video file for further evaluation, documentation, and/or reference.
