Jakarta - Ecoton Foundation believes that microplastics that enter the body can disrupt homeostasis.
"When microplastics stick to our skin, then enter the skin tissue, it will disrupt homeostasis. This means skin balance, pH balance, and even the long-term effects can cause premature aging," said Ecoton Foundation Laboratory Head Rafika Aprilianti in Jakarta, Saturday.
According to him, microplastics, which are very small in size, can penetrate cells in the body and flow into the blood.
"When it enters the blood, it is very fatal, because the blood carries all substances throughout the body. That's why microplastics are found in the kidneys, heart, and liver," he said.
Furthermore, Rafika Aprilianti explained that microplastics have magnetic properties that can attract other compounds around them.
"For example, dust, bacteria, heavy metals, lead can be bound by microplastics and brought into the body. Well, plastic compounds can disrupt metabolism in the body, disrupt hormones such as insulin hormones, reproductive hormones," he said.
Ecoton Foundation is one of nine organizations that are members of the Indonesian Zero Waste Alliance (AZWI).
In addition to Ecoton, eight other organizations that are members of AZWI are YPBB, Dietplastik Indonesia, Nexus 3 Foundation, PPLH Bali, Zero Waste, Greenpeace Indonesia, Gita Pertiwi, and Walhi.