Ethan Clarke
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue, with plastic waste contaminating our oceans, food, water, and air. While the ecological consequences of plastic pollution have been widely researched, the health implications for humans are less understood. Plastic has been found to contain harmful chemicals and metals, which can be transferred to humans through the food chain. A growing body of research suggests that plastic ingestion can have nutritional consequences, impacting the levels of essential amino acids and fatty acids in marine food sources and potentially causing malnutrition. With plastic particles detected in 90% of animal and vegetable protein samples, it is clear that plastic is becoming an unavoidable part of our diet, raising concerns about the potential health risks associated with plastic consumption.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic's impact on nutritional value | Plastic pollution can interfere with nutritional changes in marine food resources, thereby causing potential health implications for human consumers. |
| Plastic ingestion and health effects | Ingestion of plastic can cause both lethal and sub-lethal health effects, including physical damage, chemical effects, and potential endocrine disruption. |
| Plastic in food | Microplastics are present in 90% of animal and vegetable protein samples, as well as in salt, sugar, tea bags, and rice. |
| Plastic and metal relationships | Ingestion of plastic by seabirds has been linked to increased metal concentrations in their livers and feathers, suggesting a complex relationship between plastic, nutrition, and pollution. |
| Plastic-associated chemicals | Plastics can contain and release chemicals such as bisphenols, phthalates, flame retardants, PFAS, and heavy metals, which can have hormone-disrupting and toxic effects. |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic ingestion and its health effects
Plastic ingestion by humans and animals has been linked to various health issues, and the presence of plastics in the human body is a growing concern. Plastic pollution is found all around the globe, and plastics negatively affect people and the environment at each stage of their lifecycle – from extraction of fossil fuels to disposal.
A study by Vethaak and colleagues found plastics in the blood of 17 out of 22 healthy blood donors, and microplastics were found in 11 of 13 lung samples. While the level and length of exposure are unknown, the plastic particles found were nanoplastics, smaller than one micrometer. It is not known whether these particles can pass from the blood into organs, but they can be transported throughout the body via the bloodstream.
Animal studies have also shown the presence of plastic waste in their bodies, and while some studies have shown adverse health effects, others have found no increased likelihood of sickness or death. For example, an Australian study found that Japanese quail chicks suffered minor delays in growth and maturation when fed plastic toxins, but they were not more likely to get sick, die, or have trouble reproducing.
Microplastics have been found to act as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which are linked to infertility, obesity, diabetes, prostate or breast cancer, thyroid problems, and increased risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. They are also linked to respiratory disease, metabolic function issues, colon cancer, and disruption to endocrine systems.
While it is impossible to avoid microplastics and nanoplastics, there are ways to reduce exposure, such as avoiding microwaving or heating food or water in plastic, using a glass or ceramic alternative, and washing plastic food containers by hand.
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Plastic additives and their functions
Plastic additives are substances added during the moulding process of polymers to improve their processing performance or enhance the properties of the resin. They can improve the processability of polymers, optimise processing conditions, increase efficiency, and enhance the performance of the products, thereby increasing the product's value and lifespan.
Some common plastic additives include:
- Anti-UV additives: These act as a protective film that absorbs UV light, preventing UV rays from degrading the plastic surface.
- Anti-blocking additives: These are applied in packaging film manufacturing to prevent plastic layers from sticking to each other or to extrusion heads, thereby enhancing productivity and efficiency.
- Anti-aging additives: These widen the temperature range for plastics, increasing their lifespan and durability.
- Nucleating agents: These modify the crystallisation behaviour of resins, accelerating the crystallisation rate, increasing crystallisation density, and promoting a finer crystal grain size. This enhances the product's transparency, surface gloss, tensile strength, and impact resistance.
- Antistatic agents: These give the plastic electrical conductivity, preventing the accumulation of static electricity caused by friction.
- Decomposition additives: These additives control the breakdown of plastics, turning them into materials with different molecular structures capable of further breakdown into simple molecules.
The choice of additives and their quantities depends on the type of plastic and the desired properties of the final product.
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Microplastics in animal and vegetable proteins
Plastic does not have any nutritional value. However, due to plastic pollution, microplastics are being discovered in many common food sources, including animal and vegetable proteins. A recent study by the Ocean Conservancy and the University of Toronto found microplastics in nearly 90% of protein food samples tested. These samples included seafood, pork, beef, chicken, tofu, and plant-based meat alternatives. The study also found that highly processed protein products, such as breaded shrimp and chicken nuggets, contained significantly more microplastics per gram than minimally processed products.
The presence of microplastics in the food we eat is a growing concern, and it highlights the need to address the plastic pollution problem. While the potential effects of microplastics on human health are still being understood, it is clear that plastic pollution can interfere with nutritional changes in food sources. For example, a study on the impact of nano-sized plastic on whiteleg shrimp found that exposure to plastic pollution led to changes in biochemical and nutritional indicators, including a decrease in the levels of essential amino acids and fatty acids.
Another study on the ingestion of plastic by seabirds found links to both lethal and sub-lethal health effects, including physical and chemical effects. The physical effects were linked to physical damage and nutrition, while the chemical effects were related to the transfer of plastic-additive and plastic-adsorbed chemicals. While there is still much to learn about the health impacts of microplastics on humans, the presence of microplastics in animal and vegetable proteins is a reminder that plastic pollution is a pervasive issue that needs to be addressed.
In addition to animal proteins, microplastics have also been found in fruits and vegetables, as well as other food products like salt, sugar, rice, and milk. This further emphasizes the ubiquity of microplastics in our food supply and the need to reduce plastic pollution. While it may not be feasible to eliminate plastic entirely from our lives, small changes, such as reusing plastic products and opting for plastic alternatives, can help reduce our reliance on single-use plastics and mitigate the impact of plastic pollution on our food sources.
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Plastic contamination in seafood
Plastic does not have any nutritional value. In fact, plastic contamination in seafood is a growing concern, with microplastics found in 88% of protein food samples, including seafood, according to a study by Ocean Conservancy and the University of Toronto. Microplastics were also detected in 99% of seafood samples in another study conducted in Oregon, which included five types of finfish and pink shrimp. These microplastics can travel from the gills or mouths of the fish to the meat that humans consume.
The study by Ocean Conservancy and the University of Toronto found that highly processed protein products like fish sticks and chicken nuggets contained significantly more microplastics per gram than minimally processed products like packaged wild Alaska pollock or raw chicken breast. However, no significant difference was found between highly-processed and fresh-caught products, indicating that food processing is not the only source of microplastics contamination. The Oregon-based study also found that rinsing retail-purchased seafood could reduce microplastic levels, as some surface contamination may be introduced during processing and packaging.
The presence of microplastics in seafood is a serious problem that poses potential health risks to human consumers. Microplastics can contain toxic compounds such as PFAS, bisphenol, and phthalates, which are linked to cancer, neurotoxicity, hormone disruption, and developmental toxicity. These toxic compounds can cross the brain and placental barriers, and their presence in heart tissue has been linked to an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.
The high levels of microplastics in seafood, especially shrimp, are likely due to their filter-feeding nature and their habitat just below the surface of the water. Additionally, plankton, which accumulates in ocean fronts and moves with tides, may contribute to the high levels of microplastics in shrimp and herring. The Oregon-based study found that pink shrimp had the highest levels of microplastics per sample, while Chinook salmon had the lowest concentrations.
While the authors of the Oregon-based study do not recommend avoiding seafood due to microplastic contamination, they emphasize the need for a policy-level solution to reduce plastic use and implement filters that catch microplastics in products like washing machines, as microplastics can enter the food chain through soil and water. Overall, the widespread presence of microplastics in seafood underscores the urgent need to address plastic pollution and its potential health implications for human consumers.
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Plastic-associated metal(loid) absorption
Plastic does not have any nutritional value. In fact, plastic pollution can negatively impact the nutritional value of food resources, which can have health implications for human consumers. For example, a study on whiteleg shrimp, a widely consumed marine species, found that exposure to nano-sized plastic led to decreased levels of some essential amino acids and fatty acids.
Plastic ingestion by animals, especially marine animals, has been linked to both lethal and sub-lethal health effects, including physical damage, nutritional deficiencies, and chemical effects. These chemical effects are concerning as they involve the transfer of plastic-additive and plastic-adsorbed chemicals, including metal(loid)s.
Metal(loid)s are non-degradable and toxic elements released into the environment by various industrial activities. They can contaminate food and create health risks for humans and animals. While some metals are essential for physiological regulation, exposure to high concentrations of certain metals, especially through ingestion of non-nutritive plastic, can lead to malnutrition and adverse health effects.
Research has found relationships between ingested plastic loads and liver metal(loid) concentrations in free-living wildlife, particularly seabirds. For example, plastic ingestion in prions has been associated with reduced Al, Mn, Fe, and Co concentrations and increased Cu and Zn concentrations in the liver. This may be due to dietary dilution caused by the presence of plastic in the gut, leading to reduced feeding and intake of essential dietary mineral metals.
While the exact mechanisms are not yet fully understood, these findings suggest that plastic ingestion can directly influence the absorption of essential metal(loid) mineral nutrients and potentially impact the health of affected organisms and higher-order predators in the food chain.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic does not have any nutritional value. In fact, it is a contaminant that can be harmful to health.
Plastic can enter our food system in various ways. It can contaminate our food and water sources, and even the air we breathe. Microplastics, tiny plastic particles, can be found in commonly consumed proteins, such as shrimp, chicken, and plant-based alternatives. They can also be present in salt, sugar, tea bags, and rice.
Consuming plastic can have potential health implications. Plastic can carry harmful chemicals, such as bisphenols, phthalates, flame retardants, and heavy metals. These chemicals can act as endocrine disruptors, interfere with nutritional processes, and lead to various health issues, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and erectile dysfunction.
To reduce our exposure to plastic, it is important to adopt habits such as reusing plastic products, opting for plastic alternatives like glass bottles or stainless steel tumblers, and choosing reusable grocery totes and straws. Eating a plant-based diet and avoiding scented personal care products can also help reduce exposure to plastic and its associated chemicals.
