Omar Khalid
It is estimated that humans consume 20kg of plastic during their lifetime. A 2019 study revealed that Americans consume between 39,000 to 52,000 microplastic particles annually, with an additional 90,000 consumed by those who drink bottled water. While small amounts of plastic will leave the body after a day, constantly eating plastic can have long-term side effects. The health risks of consuming plastic include biological reactions such as inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis, as well as toxic compounds like lead and chlorine. Scientists are still unsure of how much damage microplastics do to the human body, but research has shown that they can act as a vehicle for harmful chemical additives.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How much plastic does the average person consume? | It is estimated that humans consume 20 kg of plastic during their lifetime. People may be ingesting amounts of plastic equivalent to the size of a credit card every week. |
| A 2019 study revealed that depending on their sex and age, Americans consume between 39,000 to 52,000 microplastic particles annually. With added estimates of inhalation, that number is more than 74,000. | |
| People who meet their recommended water intake through tap water ingest an additional 4,000 plastic particles annually, while those who drink only bottled water ingest an additional 90,000. | |
| What happens to plastic once it's in your body? | The body naturally works to rid itself of contaminants. Most small amounts of plastic that you consume accidentally will leave your body after a day or so. |
| However, constantly eating plastic or food packaged in plastic can leave long-term side effects. Chemicals in plastic can easily be transferred to your food by microwaving, eating canned food lined in plastic lacquer, or drinking bottled water. | |
| The presence of microplastics in the human body can carry serious health risks, such as biological reactions like inflammation, genotoxicity, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Different types of plastic have varying toxic properties, and some are made with toxic chemicals like chlorine. | |
| A build-up of toxins over time could impact the immune system. Microplastics can also act as a "vehicle" for harmful chemical additives in plastic, carrying them directly into the body. |
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What You'll Learn
How much plastic do humans consume?
It is estimated that humans consume 20 kg of plastic during their lifetime. This corresponds to about 50 plastic bags per year, or a median value of 4.1 μg/week for adults. A 2019 study revealed that depending on their sex and age, Americans consume between 39,000 to 52,000 microplastic particles annually. This number is likely an underestimate, and the true figure is probably higher. People who meet their recommended water intake through tap water ingest an additional 4,000 plastic particles annually, while those who drink only bottled water ingest an additional 90,000.
The primary source of consumed plastic is drinking water. High levels of plastic are also found in shellfish, beer, salt, seafood, sugar, alcohol, and honey. Plastic particles are found in our organs, blood, and even semen. The health effects of ingesting microplastics are still unknown, but scientists believe that it could be harmful. A study out of King's College in London hypothesized that the cumulative effect of ingesting plastic could be toxic, and impact the immune system. Different types of plastic have varying toxic properties, and some are made with toxic chemicals like chlorine.
Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic smaller than five millimeters, and many are only visible under a microscope. They are ubiquitous across ecosystems and are found in the air, water, and food we consume. Due to their size, microplastics can be ingested by aquatic organisms and then passed up the food chain to humans. While small amounts of plastic will leave the body after a day, larger amounts can carry serious health risks, such as inflammation, genotoxicity, oxidative stress, and apoptosis.
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What happens to plastic once it's in the body?
Plastic is everywhere—in the air, in the water, in our food, and even in our bodies. Microplastics, or plastic particles smaller than 5mm, are commonly ingested by humans. A 2019 study revealed that Americans consume between 39,000 to 52,000 microplastics annually, with individuals who use bottled water sources consuming an additional 90,000 microplastics per year. According to Plastic Tides, small amounts of plastic accidentally consumed will leave the body after a day as the body naturally works to rid itself of contaminants. However, the long-term effects of microplastic consumption are still unknown.
While the human body can pass small amounts of plastic, the health risks of microplastics are a growing concern. Studies have found microplastics in fecal samples, indicating that they can remain in the body for some time. Additionally, microplastics have been detected in almost every part of the human body, including the blood, saliva, liver, kidneys, placenta, testicles, hearts, and brains. The presence of microplastics in the body can lead to biological reactions such as inflammation, genotoxicity, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Certain chemicals in microplastics, such as BPA, phthalates, and heavy metals, are known to interfere with the body's hormones and cause disruption to nervous, reproductive, and other systems.
The impact of microplastics on the body is complex and depends on various factors, including the type of plastic, the size and shape of the particles, and the chemical composition. Different types of plastic have varying toxic properties, with some containing harmful chemicals like chlorine or picking up trace amounts of lead from the environment. The accumulation of these toxins over time could impact the immune system and upset the gut's balance. Furthermore, microplastics may act as vectors for bacteria and parasites, potentially carrying antibiotic-resistant bacteria and other pathogens into our bodies.
The extent of the harm caused by microplastics is still being investigated, and researchers are working to understand the threshold dose for toxicity. While the immediate health effects of small amounts of plastic ingestion may be minimal, the long-term consequences of chronic microplastic exposure are a growing concern for scientists and clinicians. The ubiquity of microplastics in the environment and their presence in the human body have led to urgent calls for more research and regulation.
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How does plastic leave the body?
It is estimated that humans consume 20kg of plastic during their lifetime. The average person eats thousands of plastic particles every year, with plastic being found in food products such as table salt, seafood, beer, sugar, alcohol, and honey, as well as in drinking water and the air we breathe. A microplastic particle is any piece of plastic smaller than five millimetres, but many are much smaller and only visible under a microscope.
According to Lusher, small pieces of plastic will leave your system after a day or so as the body naturally works to rid itself of contaminants. However, the impact of ingesting plastic over time is still unknown, and constantly eating plastic or food packaged in plastic can lead to potential long-term side effects.
Some studies have found that microplastics can act as a "vehicle" for harmful chemical additives in plastic, carrying them directly into the body. These chemicals can then be transferred to food through microwaving food in plastic or drinking bottled water, for example. The most commonly used chemical is phthalates, which makes plastics soft and bendable and is not chemically bound to plastic, so it can be easily transferred to other things.
While plastic pollution has never been directly blamed for a single death, the cumulative effect of ingesting plastic could be toxic and impact the immune system. Some of the potential side effects of ingesting plastic chemicals include asthma, cancer, miscarriage, premature birth, infertility in men, and abnormal sexual development.
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What are the health risks of ingesting plastic?
Plastic ingestion is an increasingly common phenomenon, with an average person consuming thousands of plastic particles annually. These particles, known as microplastics, are smaller than five millimetres and are prevalent in our environment, including in food, water, and air. While the human body naturally works to rid itself of these foreign contaminants, the health risks associated with ingesting plastics are a growing concern.
One of the primary risks is the potential for biological reactions, such as inflammation, genotoxicity, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. The properties of ingested plastics play a role in these reactions, as they can release toxic compounds, unbound chemicals, monomers, free radicals, and adsorbed organic pollutants. Certain plastics contain toxic chemicals like chlorine, while others may pick up trace amounts of harmful substances like lead from the environment. As a result, the accumulation of these toxins in the body may impact the immune system and upset the gut's balance.
Furthermore, microplastics can act as vectors, absorbing and harbouring undesirable chemicals, heavy metals, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and pesticides. This increases the human body's exposure to these harmful substances, potentially leading to poisonous effects. Additionally, plastics may undergo structural changes during digestion, forming micro- and nanostructures that can be released and ingested by aquatic organisms, ultimately entering the human food chain.
The presence of microplastics in human blood, lung tissue, saliva, hair, and feces indicates regular exposure through inhalation and ingestion. While the full extent of the harm caused by microplastics is not yet fully understood, some studies suggest that they may affect inflammation, cellular survival, and metabolism in humans. The impact of plastic ingestion on specific animal populations further underscores the potential risks to human health. For instance, laboratory studies on fish have shown that plastics can harm reproductive systems and stress the liver.
To mitigate these health risks, it is advisable to reduce the use of single-use plastic products and opt for biodegradable alternatives. Additionally, the safe disposal of plastic waste and the promotion of plastic substitutes are crucial to minimise the potential health hazards associated with plastic ingestion.
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What foods contain plastic?
Plastic, particularly in the form of microplastics, has been found to contaminate a wide range of foods and beverages. Microplastics are plastic fragments or fibres smaller than 5mm in length, originating from sources such as plastic debris, packaging materials, and industrial discharge. They can enter the food chain through various pathways, including environmental contamination and processing methods. Here is a list of some food items that have been found to contain plastic:
- Seafood: Fish and other seafood are among the most contaminated foods due to their tendency to ingest plastics from polluted waters. Researchers estimate that an average person consumes approximately 53,864 particles of microplastics annually from seafood, which can cause neurotoxicity and oxidative damage.
- Salt: A study found that out of 39 brands of salt, only three did not contain microplastics. It is estimated that an average adult consumes around 2,000 microplastic particles per year from salt.
- Rice: A University of Queensland study revealed that for every 100 grams (1/2 cup) of rice consumed, individuals ingest three to four milligrams of plastic. This number increases to 13 milligrams per serving for instant rice.
- Fruits and Vegetables: Italian researchers in 2020 found microplastics in fruits and vegetables, with apples and carrots showing the highest levels. Other crops like pears, broccoli, lettuce, potatoes, radishes, and turnips also contained microplastics.
- Beverages: Bottled water, beer, and tea are all found to contain microplastics. Bottled water can contain up to twice as many plastic particles as tap water. Tea bags are sometimes heat-sealed with polypropylene plastic, and certain brands use plastic mesh tea temples.
- Processed Foods: Foods packaged in plastic containers, such as store-bought salads or cheese wrapped in plastic, are at risk of plastic particle leaching. Pre-cut lettuce and fruits stored in plastic containers can also contribute to plastic ingestion.
While the long-term effects of consuming plastic are not yet fully understood, microplastics have been detected in various human organs and tissues, including the lungs, liver, spleen, kidneys, placenta, and blood. They can also act as vectors for harmful substances, absorbing chemicals linked to cancers and weakened immune systems.
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Frequently asked questions
A microplastic particle is any piece of plastic smaller than five millimetres.
Microplastics can enter the human body through drinking water, food, and air.
Microplastics can pass through the body and be flushed out as waste. However, they can also carry toxic chemicals that may affect the immune system and cause other health issues.
It is estimated that people may be ingesting amounts of plastic equivalent to the size of a credit card every week. Another study found that Americans consume between 39,000 to 52,000 microplastic particles annually, with additional estimates of inhaled microplastics bringing the total to more than 74,000.
Individuals can try to avoid eating food packaged in plastic or that has been in plastic containers for a long time. Tap water is also recommended over bottled water, as bottled water can contain additional microplastics.
