Americans' Plastic Consumption: A Startling Overview

Americans are consuming and breathing in a lot of plastic. A study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology found that Americans ingest an estimated 74,000 to 121,000 microplastic particles every year. However, the true number is probably much higher, as some likely sources of microplastics were not included in the study due to a lack of data.

How much plastic do Americans consume through food?

It is estimated that the average American consumes more than 70,000 particles of microplastics per year. Depending on a person's age and sex, this number can range from 74,000 to 121,000 particles per year. Boys consume just over 81,000 particles per year, while girls consume a little over 74,000. This is likely because girls typically eat less than boys.

These calculations are based on the assumption that individuals drink a mix of bottled and tap water. However, it is important to note that these estimates may be "drastic underestimates", as they only considered 15% of Americans' caloric intake.

The presence of microplastics in our food is a growing concern. Studies have shown that microplastics are not only in the water we drink but also in the air we breathe, the soil, and the sea. Previous estimates suggested that the average person consumes a credit card's worth of microscopic plastic particles every week.

While the exact amount of plastic Americans consume through food remains a mystery, it is clear that it is a significant issue that requires further study to understand its potential health impacts.

How much plastic do Americans consume through water?

Americans consume more than 70,000 microplastic particles every year from the food they eat, the water they drink, and the air they breathe. A study published in the journal *Environmental Science & Technology* found that boys consumed just over 81,000 particles per year, while girls consumed a little less, at a bit more than 74,000. These calculations assume that boys and girls drink a mix of bottled and tap water.

The study also found that Americans who drank water solely from plastic bottles consumed an additional 90,000 particles annually, compared to 4,000 particles for people who drank only tap water. This means that by using a reusable water bottle, you could save an average of 156 plastic bottles annually.

The researchers considered only 15% of Americans' caloric intake, so these numbers could be "drastic underestimates". They also weren't able to assess how much plastic might be entering our bodies from food packaging.

How much plastic do Americans consume through air?

Americans are consuming and breathing in a lot of plastic. A 2019 analysis published in the journal *Environmental Science & Technology* found that Americans ingest an estimated 74,000 to 121,000 microplastic particles every year. The true number is probably much higher, because for some likely sources of microplastics, there were no strong data available.

The health effects of microplastics are unknown. However, the study's author, Kieran Cox, a PhD candidate at the University of Victoria in Canada, said: "We now know the dose isn't trivial." Cox and his colleagues analysed data from 26 studies that measured how many microplastic particles were in the foods people ate or the air they breathed. They found acceptable data on plastic concentrations in seafood, added sugars, salts, beer, water and air, but none on grains, vegetables, beef and poultry.

Using US dietary guidelines and respiration rates from the US Environmental Protection Agency, the researchers then estimated how many microplastics Americans were consuming just from these foods and from breathing. Air, bottled water and seafood were the biggest sources for ingested microplastics.

The number of microplastic particles consumed also depends on a person's age and sex. Boys consumed just over 81,000 particles per year, while girls consumed a little less – a bit more than 74,000. This was probably because girls typically eat less than boys. These calculations assume that boys and girls drink a mix of bottled and tap water.

Cox was especially surprised to learn there are a lot of microplastic particles in the air. Until, that is, he thought about how much plastic we are surrounded by every day.

How much plastic do Americans consume through plastic bottles?

Americans purchase about 50 billion water bottles per year, which averages out to about 13 bottles per month for every person in the US. This means that by using a reusable water bottle, you could save an average of 156 plastic bottles annually.

Bottled water can be a source of microplastics, with scientists finding that people who drink only bottled water could consume an additional 90,000 microplastic particles per year. Depending on a person's age and sex, Americans consume between 74,000 and 121,000 particles per year. Boys consume just over 81,000 particles per year, while girls consume a little less, at a bit more than 74,000. These calculations assume that boys and girls drink a mix of bottled and tap water.

In total, this means that Americans consume a large amount of plastic through plastic bottles, with the average person consuming 156 plastic bottles and an additional 90,000 microplastic particles per year.

How much plastic do Americans consume through food packaging?

It is estimated that the average American consumes more than 70,000 particles of microplastics per year. This is based on research that considered 15% of Americans' caloric intake, so the actual figure could be much higher.

The microplastics are consumed through water, food and plasticware. People who drink only bottled water could be consuming an additional 90,000 microplastic particles per year. This is likely due to microplastics leaching into the water from the plastic bottles.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) estimates that an adult could be taking in the equivalent of about 12 grocery bags worth of plastic particles a year through water, food and plasticware. At the lower end, it’s three bags.

Scientists are yet to determine whether or how microplastics could be harmful to human health.

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