I didn't work about micro plastics

[Jody Harris]

It's popular in the 3D printing community to fixate on micro plastics. I haven't bothered. Something to consider: 

https://www.thefirebreak.org/p/eu-food-science-authority-condemns

-j

Think carefully

Sent from Proton Mail for Android.

[3D Printing Tips and Tricks]

hmmm...

Seems to me that if there's any questionable info it's actually the cited article. I don't see a single explicit example provided that details  a questionable finding. The article states that some of the findings are written up by lab technicians. How do they know that? Exactly what articles are they talking about so that someone else can examine where they get their claim from? 

On the other side I've reviewed long lists of references with articles from juried publications each with the specific details of how they got the measurements.

All it takes in this world of BS is one dissenting voice which sounds like it knows what it's talking about to provide the desired doubt.
Regardless... thanks for posting this so we can critique it on the podcast!

[3D Printing Tips and Tricks]

In preparation for our review I went to the EFSA website to see what study by the EFSA this article is referring to. I did a search in "Micro plastics". Nothing came up which relates at all to what the Firebreak article is talking about. so... Jharris... do you have that citation?

[3D Printing Tips and Tricks]

Never mind... I was able to find it... and as I suspected the Firebreak article cherry picked...

Here's the abstract...

"

To search for evidence of micro- and nanoplastics (MNP) release during the uses of food contact materials (FCM), a structured literature review was carried out on studies published between 2015 and 20th January 2025. It identified 1711 publications of which 122 were selected for data extraction. Eight additional publications were added to provide more context. Most studies concern microplastics, while data on nanoplastics are almost entirely absent. Most publications use water or aqueous food simulants as FCM contact medium for suspension and subsequent isolation of released MNP. Foods other than mineral water were tested in only few cases. Despite the large number of publications investigating the release of MNP from FCM, the available evidence concerning the characteristics and quantities of released MNP from FCM remains limited. Many publications are affected by methodological shortcomings in test conditions, in sample preparation, and by deficiencies in the reliability of analytical data, with the consequence of frequent misidentification and miscounting. Based on the findings on release mechanisms, contaminations, mimicking substances, particle numbers and masses generated during the use of FCMs, it is concluded that (i) there is evidence of microplastics released during the uses of FCM, (ii) this release is due to mechanical stress, such as abrasion or friction, or due to materials with open or fibrous structures, (iii) despite the uncertainties, the actual release is much lower than the results presented in many publications. In view of all this, there is no sufficient basis at this stage to estimate MNP exposure from FCM during their uses. This review identifies methodological shortcomings and data gaps, and makes recommendations on related future research needs."

[Joseph Larson]

"Don't worry about Microplastics. The people studying it don't know what they're talking about, anyways."

I've been putting together an essay for a future video about microplastics. The question of the video is "Does 3D printing contribute to the 'Plastic Problem' and the outline of my study, right now, is:

1. Does 3D printing contribute to the "Plastic Problem"?
   1. If the problem is "Plastic is the problem", then, yes.
   2. But what really is the Plastic Problem?
   3. Acknowledge bias. Attempt to avoid minimalizing.
2. Historically, this isn't the first time a mass adoption of a new technology had unintended consequences. 
   1. The Pattern:
      1. New technology discovered
      2. It benefits everyone
      3. We go all in on it
      4. Oopsie, there's something we didn't consider
      5. Public outcry demands change
      6. Changes made, and we don't have to abandon our advancements
   2. The industrial revolution led to cancer and the London fog which led to better regulation and better air quality measures.
   3. Mass automobile adoption led to acid rain which led to better regulation and cars with better air quality measures.
   4. (I need help thinking of other examples. There's gotta be more than these 2.)
3. Microplastics is this generation's unintended consequences to deal with.
   1. The problem comes from the fact that plastics don't break down, they just get smaller.
   2. When plastics get small enough they can pass into our body, and once there... apparently nothing. Our body doesn't have a defense for this so they just sit there.
   3. What's the effect?
4. At this time the effects of microplastics in our body is largely unknown and may either be not that severe to dire.
   1. The only known effect of microplastics in our body is an increase of "inflammation".
      1. In other words it might make us a little sore sometimes.
         1. Annoying, but not dire, especially compared with cancer or raining literal acid.
   2. Be careful when reading reports that include the word "May". Because "may" also means "may not".
      1. Lots of sensational media capitalize on the unknown nature, filling in the blank with the worst case scenario.
   3. But, should we wait until we know to complain?
5. We don't need a reason to demand change now. 
   1. Plastic Problem is not as severe as problems we've had in the past, but it's still bad
      1. History repeats, but hopefully we're spiraling upward.
   2. Defining the Problem
      1. We know that there are way too many microplastics in our environment. 
      2. This comes from too much adoption of plastics and no good way to dispose of them
      3. Plastic recycling is a bit of a joke and most of the time it's just burned for fuel in industrial burners that can filter the harmful chemicals. But even this doesn't happen enough to keep up with the pace. 
      4. Any use of plastics is contributing to the problem, but not all sources contribute equally.
         1. Yes, this includes 3D printing
            1. But not anywhere near the top because 3D prints are purpose built and not single use (generally).
            2. Design and 3D print without supports.
   3. Possible Solutions
      1. Top Down solution
         1. Identify the top contributors of plastic waste, especially single use plastic.
         2. Demand that those be changed to something more sustainable like glass, paper or waxed paper.
      2. Demonize single use plastics including water bottles, soda bottles, and plastic wrapping on everything.
      3. On a day off visit your local plastic recycling facility and report what you find to local government at a town hall.
         1. Demand better recycling/disposal of plastics before they enter the ecosystem
      4. Even 3D printing can reduce plastic waste a little.
         1. Design and 3D print without supports.
         2. Do less multi-color 3D printing... until the waste from that gets under control.

This is a topic that I haven't committed to a video for yet because, well, it's pretty heavy and I want to be sure I've researched it fully. And I'm lazy. I'm still open to suggestions at this point, if you have any.

[Scott Bussinger]

They may not fit your narrative, but for unintended consequences, lead paint and asbestos insulation come to mind. Both of which we've found alternatives for.

---

From: 3d-printing-...@googlegroups.com <3d-printing-...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Joseph Larson <joeal...@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2025 10:40:49 AM
To: 3D Printing Tips and Tricks <3d-printing-...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: I didn't work about micro plastics

 

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[Joseph Larson]

Those are excellent examples. Thank you.

[Alan B]

lead in gasoline might be another. 

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[david merten]

You might want to look at the company Timeplast they have several patents on self dissolving plastic. It can be "set" to break down after a certain period of time. According to them. They also have some really strange filaments, that I hope to experiwith soon. soon.

             David

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[3D Printing Tips and Tricks]

After more careful reviews it seems the research referred to in the original EU study which criticizes research was actual looking specifically at the studies that are exploring the rates and amounts of micro plastic particles that come off plastic objects. How much, how fast, etc. 

Any reference to the Firebreak article as any kind of evidence that micro plastics occurring in organisms or the environment is not a big deal is completely incorrect.

[Jody Harris]

I'm glad I posted that, regardless of my embarrassing typos. Excellent discussion! 

-j

Think carefully

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