Austin lakes are full of microplastics and the problem is getting worse

The attached video is from a previous story exploring microplastic solutions.

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Tiny bits of plastic are polluting Lady Bird Lake and Lake Austin, its a problem that is getting worse. New research out of the University of Texas is giving scientists and the city of Austin a better idea of the problem.

Microplastics are tiny bits of debris, smaller than five millimeters, created when plastic is manufactured or breaks down. These things are everywhere, including in our bodies, and we don't fully understand the health impacts they might have on us and the world.

The average individual ingests anywhere between 39,000 and 52,000 particles of microplastics (from 1 µm to 5 mm in size) and nanoplastics (1 µm or smaller) every year.

Danielle Zaleski conducted an analysis of the la