What are microplastics?
Microplastics are small particles of plastic that measure less than 5 mm (0.20 in) in length. Due to their small size, microplastics are thought to be a significant contributor to marine pollution and are difficult to filter out.
Microplastics can be divided into two types—primary and secondary. Microfibers shed from clothing and other fabrics, as well as microscopic particles made for commercial use, such as those found in cosmetics.
Particles, known as secondary microplastics, are produced when bigger plastic objects, such as water bottles, break down. Plastics can take hundreds or even thousands of years to disintegrate, and while they do so, they cause significant environmental damage. Marine animals frequently absorb microplastic contamination in the waters.
Researchers reported finding microplastics in human breast milk, which is cause for concern.
In the research on breast milk that was published in the journal Polymers, microplastics made of polyethene, PVC and polypropylene were found in breast milk. These materials are all used in packaging.
Microplastic in breastmilk
Researchers are quite concerned about the potential health effects on infants after finding microplastics for the first time in human breast milk.
The scientists emphasise the need for additional research and state that infants are particularly susceptible to chemical pollutants. However, breastfeeding was still hands-down the greatest method of nourishing an infant.
According to the study, 34 healthy moms in Rome, Italy, provided samples of their breast milk a week after giving birth.
The presence of microplastics was found in 75% of them. Microplastics are hazardous to human cell lines and marine life, but the consequences on people are still unknown. Plastics most commonly include substances like phthalates, which have been discovered in breast milk.
Consumption of seafood, food and beverages packaged in plastic and usage of plastic-containing personal hygiene products during pregnancy were all noted by the researchers during the study.
However, they did not discover any connection to the presence of microplastics. Although larger studies in the future may reveal specific risk factors, this shows that the pervasive existence of microplastics in the environment makes human exposure unavoidable.
Considerations must be made to minimise exposure to these pollutants during pregnancy and breastfeeding. But it is important to note that breastfeeding has many more benefits than the negative effects caused by the presence of microplastic pollution.
Microplastics in foods
Most plastics produced worldwide are used for packaging foods and drinks. However, as plastic is used, it wears down and disintegrates into tiny pieces known as microplastics. The microplastic substances found in food are a combination of those that manufacturers purposefully add, like fillers and stabilisers, and those that build up as byproducts, including residues and impurities.
Microplastics found in food are,
- Bisphenol A (BPA): Manufacturers employ this plasticiser to create polyvinyl chloride, the parent material of several items.
- Phthalates: These are added to many different kinds of food packaging to increase the flexibility, transparency and durability of plastics.
- The most prevalent polymers found in food and the environment are polyethene and polypropylene, which are also used to manufacture lightweight and strong packaging.
- BPA and BPF, mono-(3-carboxypropyl), mono-(carboxyisononyl) and mono-(carboxyisonol) are among the microplastics that can be detected in food in lesser amounts.
Which foods contain the most microplastics?
Vegetables and fruits
Traces of microplastic have been discovered in fruits and vegetables. Apples are one fruit that sticks out due to their high microplastic content. A daily apple used to keep the doctor at bay, but right now, that apple is sending us in the direction of the doctor.
A pear, which is quite close to the apple, averages about 189,500 plastic particles per gram, while an apple has an average of 195,500 plastic particles per gram. Carrots and broccoli are two of the vegetables with the highest contamination.
Plants absorb microplastics in the soil and microplastic-contaminated water as they grow. According to studies, wheat and lettuce plants both have microplastic in their roots.
Water bottles
Microplastic is present in both tap water and bottled water. However, researchers found that bottled water has twice as many microplastic particles as tap water. Both bottled and tap water are significant global sources of microplastic ingestion.
A recyclable bottle is a better option.
Microplastic and teabag
Even tea has microplastic in it. The teabags, which are heat-sealed with polypropylene plastic, are the root cause of the problem. Microplastic particles start to form as the teabag gently boils.
Seafood
Fish absorb a lot of microplastic due to the disturbingly high amount of plastic debris that has been put in the ocean. Fish and other predatory species speed up the cycle of microplastic intake. Through their fishmeal, even fish raised economically are susceptible to consuming microplastic.
Since microplastics are typically present in an animal's intestines, seafood that is eaten whole is more likely to have more of them. Mussels, oysters, prawns and shrimp are a few examples.
Rice
Microplastics were discovered in bagged rice, a food staple for many populations. The amount of microplastic in pre-cooked rice was found to be four times higher. While washing the rice before cooking reduced the microplastic count by 20 to 40%.
Honey
The positively charged hairs of bees attract both pollen and microplastics due to the millions of microplastic particles floating through the air. After being carried to their hive, these particles end up in the honey that is produced.
Beer
Beer has the highest concentration of microplastics among a variety of beverages.
Health hazards caused by microplastics
Cell death and allergic reactions are certain effects of microplastic exposure. The impact is also based on the concentration of human exposure. However, it is unclear what effect microplastics will have on human health because it is unknown how long microplastics will stay in the body before being eliminated.
According to a study, blood proteins like albumins, globulins and fibrinogens are absorbed on the surface of nano plastics and form plastic-protein complexes with sizes ranging from 13 to 600 nanometers. These blood proteins are crucial for osmotic pressure, molecular transport, blood coagulation, immune response and other processes.
When proteins completely encircle plastic particles, the plastic-protein complexes are drawn to one another, causing the complexes to be aggregate.
These aggregates can obstruct the passage of body fluids. The structural changes due to this complex formation make blood proteins inactive.
How to avoid microplastics in food?
We must find strategies to prevent microplastics in food because they are present in alarmingly high amounts in the food and beverages we consume.
Avoid plastics
We can start avoiding them by taking simple steps now rather than waiting for further evidence or research. Furthermore, using plastic of any kind is bad for the environment.
Here are ways to start making a difference.
Avoid using plastic containers to store food and water. Regular steel jugs and cartons can be used. For storing water, we can make use of ceramic or glass containers.
Knowing the source of the fish will be helpful. Never choose farm-raised seafood, and always choose wild seafood. Making sure the food we eat is from a reputable brand is necessary.
Instead of ordering in, choosing the option to eat out is better. Food that we purchase is delivered in plastic containers, and the toxins in those containers may seep into the meal.
Cooking utensils should be made of safe materials, such as cast iron and stainless steel. Plastic can contaminate food when it is coated on non-stick cookware. Use environmentally friendly bottles, such as glass or stainless-steel ones.
Plastic slowly breaks down into smaller particles as water is in the bottle due to heat.
Reduce the intake of processed meals
These highly processed meals have a high concentration of microplastics in addition to having low nutritional value. For kids, in particular, this effect is detrimental. Choosing less processed foods and whole foods instead is good for health.
Consume filtered tap water
Even though tap water includes some microplastic, the amount is less than what is found in bottled water. A carbon block or distillation filter can remove all microplastics. Plastic particles from tap water can be removed through reverse osmosis (RO) filters.
Use sustainable packaging
Exposure to microplastics is decreased when food is stored in non-plastic containers.
Avoid microwaving food stored in plastic containers.
Heat is used to accelerate the process by which plastic transforms into microplastic. We increase the amount of microplastic in the meals by heating it in plastic packaging.
Replace disposable cups with reusable, eco-friendly mugs
When exposed to hot liquids, paper cups are known to release microplastics. Most of the cups' interior is lined with plastic of HDPE grade. Despite being regarded as safe, research has revealed that it leaks substances that are estrogenic.
Use cleaning products devoid of plastic.
If we want to reduce the number of microplastics in our food supply, the packaging and the container are essential. The amount of plastic-free and mild cleaning products we use reduces the number of microplastics that enter our meals from outside sources.
Reduce seafood intake
Many aquatic species that have been identified to contain microplastics are ingested. According to studies, fish's muscles, which humans eat, can pick up microplastics and even smaller particles known as nanoparticles.
Use loose-leaf tea or plastic-free tea bags.
These microplastics are entirely eliminated from the beverage when loose-leaf tea is used instead of these tea bags.
Plastic straws can also be replaced with stainless steel ones.
Complications of microplastic usage
Microplastic exposure during pregnancy is a severe issue. Given that in-utero exposure to other particles, such as particulate matter in air pollution, has been linked to pregnancy issues such as pre-term birth and pre-eclampsia, the discovery of microplastics in the placenta is cause for concern. Chemicals used in plastics have the potential to impact not only our fertility but also future generations.
Conclusion
Microplastics are minute plastic particles. They have a diameter of less than five millimetres (0.2 inches). Microplastics can be divided into two types—primary and secondary.
Pregnant women consuming foods with microplastic contamination have the risk of transferring the microplastics to the infants through breast milk. They should therefore pay extra attention to avoiding products containing microplastics, such as toothpaste and cosmetics, and clothing made of synthetic materials. Further research is required to confirm this.
