On Wednesday, 22 January 2020 10:36:39 UTC, T i m wrote:
On Wed, 22 Jan 2020 08:39:11 +0000, Ian Jackson
wrote:

In message , "Brian Gaff (Sofa)"
writes
With talk of pollution and microplastic, I see paint degenerate particularly
outside, surly much of it is in microscopic flakes and this has been going
on for years.
Brian

Actually, where do many things go? Rocks become stones, which become
pebbles, which become sand, which becomes microscopic sandy dust and the
inorganic component of soil. How does this differ from the harmful
microscopic grains of degenerated plastic - and, presumably, paint?

Because when rocks get washed into the rivers and then to the sea,
they don't float so don't stay in suspension for the fish to eat, or
if they do they are generally very much smaller than the equivalent
plastic partials so may pass though small creatures?

Also, paint flakes may contain lead and may then poison small
creatures?

Cheers, T i m

Paint flakes are quite able to poison big creatures as well!