Alexei Volkov
Plastic ingestion is a common phenomenon in both humans and animals, often accidental and sometimes due to plastic being mistaken for food. While small pieces of plastic will exit the body within a few days, there are chemicals in plastic that can be transferred to food and cause health issues. In rare cases, larger pieces of plastic can get lodged in the body and cause serious health complications. This raises concerns about the impact of plastic ingestion, especially in highly polluted areas where microplastics may outnumber natural prey items.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic in the stomach | Will exit the body in a day or two |
| Plastic toys | Will come out the other end as good as new |
| Plastic fork | Can get trapped in the stomach for ten years |
| Chemicals in plastic | Phthalates |
| Harmful effects of ingesting plastic | Premature births, asthma, cancer, miscarriage, male infertility, premature breast development, abnormal male sexual development |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic does not break down in the stomach
The human stomach's primary digestive juice, hydrochloric acid, can dissolve metal. However, plastic toys or other small plastic objects that are swallowed will come out in the stool unchanged. This is because the human body cannot dissolve or utilize plastic, so it will try to expel it.
In most cases, plastic ingestion is accidental, with plastic being mistaken for food. However, some studies have found that animals may specifically target plastic for ingestion. This is particularly true in extremely polluted areas, where the number of microplastics may outnumber natural prey items. As a result, many animals die thinking they are full, but they suffer from a lack of nutrition due to the plastic in their stomachs.
While small pieces of plastic may pass through the human body, larger pieces can become lodged in the stomach. In one case, a patient had a nine-inch plastic fork trapped in his stomach for ten years after accidentally swallowing it. The plastic was exposed to stomach acid for a decade but remained intact, with no signs of melting or breakdown.
The presence of plastic in the body can still pose health risks, even if it does not break down in the stomach. Some of the chemicals used in plastic production, such as phthalates, can easily be transferred to food when plastic comes into contact with it. Ingesting these chemicals has been linked to various health issues, including premature births, asthma, cancer, miscarriage, and infertility. Therefore, while plastic may not break down in the stomach, it is important to avoid ingesting it due to the potential health risks associated with the chemicals it may contain.
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Plastic ingestion is harmful to animals
Plastics do not easily break down in the stomach, whether human or animal. While the human stomach may pass plastic within a few days, it is not digested or dissolved by the body's digestive juices. This inability to break down plastic has severe implications for animals. Sharp or rough plastic debris can cause physical injuries in the digestive tract, leading to infections and internal bleeding. Additionally, ingested plastic can create a false sense of fullness, reducing the animal's urge to eat and resulting in malnutrition, starvation, and weight loss.
Plastics can also introduce harmful chemicals and pollutants into an animal's body. These pollutants may be absorbed by the plastic from the surrounding environment or released from additives used during plastic production. As plastics move through the food web, these chemicals can accumulate and have toxic effects on animals, including biochemical changes, structural damage, and dysfunction in various organs, including the intestines, liver, kidneys, and reproductive organs.
The impact of plastic ingestion on wildlife is a growing area of research. While it is challenging to determine the direct impact of plastic ingestion in wild studies, laboratory studies have provided controlled environments to understand these effects better. The extent of harm caused by plastic ingestion varies across species, influenced by factors such as feeding behavior, physiology, and ecological niches. As research continues, it is evident that plastic ingestion poses a significant threat to animal health and welfare, underscoring the urgent need for reduced plastic waste and improved waste management practices.
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Plastic is ingested accidentally
Plastic is not biodegradable and continues to pollute the oceans, and when ingested by animals, it can be deadly for them. However, when it comes to humans accidentally ingesting plastic, the general consensus is that it will exit the body within a day or two. This is because the ingested plastic is usually a small piece that the body cannot dissolve or utilise, so it will try to get rid of it.
There is a risk that the plastic could get stuck or that a person could ingest enough plastic to have a harmful effect on their body. In one case, a man accidentally swallowed a nine-inch plastic fork that was lodged in his stomach for ten years. He only discovered it when he went to the hospital after vomiting blood and suffering debilitating stomach cramps. The plastic had been exposed to stomach acid for ten years but remarkably showed no signs of damage or melting.
While this case is unusual, it highlights the potential risks of accidentally ingesting plastic. It is important to be mindful of the potential hazards of swallowing plastic, especially given the presence of chemicals in plastic that can be transferred to food when microwaved, eating canned food lined with plastic lacquer, or drinking bottled water. These chemicals, such as phthalates, can lead to health issues such as premature births, asthma, cancer, miscarriage, and infertility.
Therefore, while the immediate health risks of accidentally ingesting small pieces of plastic may be low, it is still essential to be cautious and avoid ingesting plastic whenever possible due to the potential long-term health effects.
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Plastic chemicals can be transferred to food
Plastic does not break down in the stomach, and if ingested, it will exit the body in a day or two. However, if plastic gets stuck or a significant amount is ingested, it can have adverse effects on the body. While there are limited studies on the human ingestion of plastics, research shows that plastic chemicals can be transferred to food, posing potential health risks.
Plasticizers, such as phthalates, are chemicals used to make plastic more flexible and durable. They are commonly found in food packaging and have been linked to various health concerns. Bisphenols, including BPA, are another group of chemicals present in plastic that can find their way into our food. These chemicals are endocrine disruptors, interfering with hormone production and regulation, leading to potential health issues such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, birth defects, and infertility.
The transfer of plastic chemicals into food can occur through multiple avenues. Food processing equipment, such as tubing, conveyor belts, and gloves, can introduce phthalates into meat and produce via contaminated water and soil. Additionally, PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), which are used to create stain and grease-resistant properties in plastic, can transfer into food over time. A 2023 experiment found detectable levels of PFAS in olive oil, ketchup, and mayonnaise after being stored in HDPE containers for a week.
Furthermore, microwaving food in plastic containers, even those labeled "microwave-safe," can result in the release of small amounts of chemicals or plastic into the food. While some studies have shown no detectable levels of dangerous chemicals, constant exposure to these substances can lead to unhealthy levels in the body. The ubiquity of plastic in our food and daily lives makes it challenging to completely avoid exposure to these chemicals.
The potential health risks associated with the ingestion of plastic and the presence of plastic chemicals in our food highlight the need for further research and stricter regulations. While the human body can eliminate bisphenols and phthalates, constant exposure can lead to cumulative harmful effects that are difficult to trace to specific health outcomes. As a result, it is essential for individuals to be aware of the potential dangers and take steps to reduce their exposure to plastic chemicals in their food.
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Plastic ingestion in humans
The human stomach's digestive juices, including hydrochloric acid, can dissolve metal, but plastics are not dissolved by these acids. Therefore, ingested plastic will exit the body, usually within a few days, without being broken down. However, there is a risk of the plastic getting stuck in the digestive system, as observed in some animal studies.
The health effects of microplastic ingestion in humans are still being researched. Some studies have linked microplastics to heart disease, lung disorders, and other worrying health issues. There are also potential ties to colon cancer, respiratory disease, metabolic function issues, and endocrine system disruption. One study found that individuals with higher levels of plastics in their arteries were at an increased risk for heart attacks, strokes, and death.
To reduce exposure to microplastics, individuals can switch from bottled water to tap water, establish good handwashing habits (especially before eating), and focus on improving their general health through adequate sleep, exercise, a balanced diet, stress reduction, and preventative care. While it is challenging to avoid microplastics entirely, these measures can help lower the potential health risks associated with their ingestion.
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Frequently asked questions
In most cases, the plastic will exit your body within a day or two. This is because the body cannot dissolve or utilise plastic, so it tries to get rid of it. However, there is a risk that the plastic could get stuck in your body, which could be harmful.
If plastic gets lodged in your body, it could cause immediate illness. In one case, a patient had a plastic fork stuck in their stomach for ten years, which caused vomiting of blood and debilitating stomach cramps.
No, plastic cannot be broken down by stomach acid. In the case of the patient with the plastic fork in their stomach, the plastic had been exposed to stomach acid for ten years but showed no signs of damage.
