Ethan Clarke
Plastic is everywhere, from the bowls and bottles we use to the tea we drink. Microplastics, a type of plastic smaller than 5mm, are particularly pervasive and can be found in the ocean, air, soil, and even in our food and water. While the impact of ingesting plastics on human health is not yet fully understood, there is research that suggests it could be harmful. Studies have shown that chemicals added during plastic production can disrupt the endocrine system and hormones regulating growth and development. These chemicals have also been linked to cancer, heart disease, and poor foetal development. High levels of ingested microplastics may also cause cell damage, leading to potential inflammation and allergic reactions. With an estimated average consumption of 53,864 particles of microplastics annually from seafood alone, it is important to be aware of the potential risks associated with plastic consumption and take steps to reduce our exposure.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Microplastics in the human body | Researchers estimate an average person consumes about 53,864 particles of microplastics annually from seafood, an equivalent to 17 credit cards. |
| Microplastics in tea | Tea bags at brewing temperature release about 11.6 billion microplastic and 3.1 billion nanoplastic particles into the water. |
| Microplastics in salt | One study found that out of 39 brands of salt, only three did not contain microplastics. |
| Microplastics in beer | There are about 28 microplastic particles per liter of beer. |
| Harmful chemicals | Chemicals in microplastics can damage cells and cause cell death. They can also disrupt the endocrine system and the hormones that regulate growth and development. |
| Health problems | Chemicals found in plastic have been linked to cancer, heart disease, and poor foetal development. High levels of ingested microplastics may also cause inflammation and allergic reactions. |
| Heating plastics | Heating plastics in the microwave may cause chemicals to leach into your food. |
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What You'll Learn
Microplastics are in seafood, tea, salt, beer, and more
Plastic has infiltrated almost every corner of the Earth, from the Arctic snow to remote deserts. Microplastics, a type of plastic smaller than 5mm, are particularly pervasive and form through the breakdown of larger plastics. They can be found in the ocean, air, and soil.
Microplastics are also in our food. They enter our food through industrial discharge, plastic packaging, and the ingestion of plastic by sea animals. Seafood, in particular, is a major source of microplastics, with researchers estimating that an average person consumes about 53,864 particles of microplastics annually from seafood, equivalent to 17 credit cards. Tea is another source, as tea bags are often made of plastic that melts into the drink when placed in hot water. A single tea bag can release billions of microplastic and nanoplastic particles into the water.
Other sources of microplastics include beer, which is made from water and crops that contain microplastics due to plastic pollution, and salt, with one study finding that out of 39 brands of salt, only three did not contain microplastics. Researchers estimated that an average adult consumes around 2,000 microplastic particles per year from salt alone.
The presence of microplastics in our food and drinks is a growing concern, as microplastics have been found to damage human cells, decrease reproductive health, and disrupt the endocrine system. They can also act as a vessel for harmful substances to enter the body, absorbing chemicals linked to cancers and weakened immune systems. While the exact health impacts of consuming microplastics are still being studied, the increasing presence of plastic particles in our bodies is undeniable.
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Harmful chemicals can leach into food from plastic containers
Plastic has become a ubiquitous part of modern life, and its use extends to food storage and packaging. While some claim that plastic food containers are safe, others argue that harmful chemicals can leach into food from these containers, especially when heated.
One type of chemical to watch out for in food containers is phthalates, which are used to soften plastics. Phthalates have been found in plastic wraps, cheese, and even in 85% of the foods tested by CR. These chemicals can easily leach out of plastic and have been linked to health problems, including endocrine disruption and potential links to cancer. Another chemical of concern is bisphenol A (BPA), which is used to make hard, shatterproof plastic. BPA has been detected in canned foods and beverages, plastic baby bottles, and infant formula, leading to concerns about its impact on infants and children.
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are another group of chemicals found in plastic containers and food packaging. PFAS are added to make products stain and grease-resistant. Research has shown that PFAS can transfer into food over time, and they have been linked to health issues such as endocrine disruption, reproductive problems, and increased cancer risk. While high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic containers are not intended for food storage, there is nothing stopping companies from using them, potentially exposing thousands of people to high levels of PFAS.
Polystyrene is another commonly used plastic, despite being considered a possible carcinogen. While it is deemed safe for food use when solid, heating polystyrene containers can cause chemicals to leach into food. Food in polystyrene containers should not be microwaved unless specifically designated as microwave-safe. Similarly, black plastic containers should be avoided for heating food, as they often contain hazardous flame retardants, which can interfere with hormones and increase the risk of cancer.
The presence of harmful chemicals in plastic food containers highlights the importance of reducing plastic use and finding alternative packaging solutions. While regulatory agencies, such as the FDA, have taken steps to ban certain chemicals from specific food containers, more comprehensive action is needed to protect public health.
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Microplastics can be absorbed through the skin
Plastic has infiltrated almost every corner of the Earth, from the ocean to the air and even the soil. Microplastics, a type of plastic smaller than 5mm, are particularly pervasive. They form through the breakdown of plastic into tiny particles, which can end up in various places, including the ocean, air, and soil.
Research has confirmed that microplastics can be absorbed into the human body through the skin barrier. A study from the University of Birmingham found that toxic chemicals used to flame-proof plastic materials can be absorbed into the body through the skin, via contact with microplastics. The study offers the first experimental evidence that these chemicals can leach into human sweat and then be absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream.
The results, published in Environment International, showed that as much as 8% of the chemical exposed could be taken up by the skin, with sweatier skin absorbing higher levels of the chemical. Interestingly, the amount of additives that became available to circulate in the bloodstream did not exceed 0.14% of what was initially present in the microplastics.
The study's results highlight the need to address microplastic additives that people are exposed to and the concern that skin absorption can be a route of exposure. While the harm caused by microplastics is not yet fully understood, there is increasing concern over their role as conduits of human exposure to toxic chemicals.
To reduce your exposure to microplastics, you can take steps such as switching to loose-leaf tea and using a strainer instead of single-use tea bags, choosing glass containers for your food, and reducing your use of plastic packaging.
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Microplastics damage human cells and decrease reproductive health
While the specific mechanisms of microplastics' impact on human health are still being studied, current research has identified a range of adverse effects on human cells and reproductive health.
Microplastics can enter the human body through oral intake, inhalation, and skin contact. Once inside the body, microplastics can affect various systems, including the digestive, respiratory, endocrine, reproductive, and immune systems. The toxicity of microplastics depends on factors such as type, size, shape, concentration, and exposure time.
One of the primary ways microplastics damage human cells is by causing oxidative stress and membrane damage. This can lead to cell death and impact the respiratory system, resulting in symptoms like coughing, sneezing, and shortness of breath. Microplastics have also been associated with mitochondrial damage in human respiratory cells and can act as carriers of other environmental toxins, further exacerbating their harmful effects.
In terms of reproductive health, microplastics have been found to interfere with the blood-testis barrier in males, impairing spermatogenesis. In females, certain chemicals in microplastics can mimic estrogen, disrupting the endocrine system and increasing the risk of diseases like breast cancer and endometriosis. Microplastics can also cause placental dysfunction, ovarian atrophy, endometrial hyperplasia, and fibrosis. Additionally, there is a concern that microplastics may impact the reproductive function of offspring, suggesting potential intergenerational effects.
Given the complex and variable nature of microplastics' toxicity and their widespread presence in the environment, further research is crucial to fully understand their impact on human health. Mitigation strategies and sustainable practices are imperative to reduce plastic pollution and protect reproductive health on a global scale.
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Microplastics can cause inflammation and allergic reactions
Plastic has found its way into almost every corner of the Earth, from the Arctic snow to remote deserts, and even the deepest parts of the ocean. As a result, microplastics—a type of plastic smaller than 5mm—are now present in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat.
Research has shown that microplastics can be absorbed into the human body through the skin barrier, and they are present in our clothing, food, and water. This means that most, if not all, people have been exposed to and have ingested or inhaled microplastic particles.
While there is insufficient evidence to prove that microplastics primarily cause inflammation in humans, laboratory data has shown that microplastics can trigger allergic reactions and cell death, particularly irregularly shaped particles commonly found in the environment. These particles can cause physical irritation to the gastrointestinal tract, leading to inflammation and various gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits. Additionally, microplastics can cause chemical toxicity, which involves the absorption and accumulation of environmental toxins such as heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
People with prior intestinal diseases, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, may be more susceptible to cell damage from microplastics. Furthermore, microplastics can act as a vessel for harmful substances to enter the body, absorbing chemicals linked to cancers and weakened immune systems.
Recent publications have also addressed a connection between microplastics and allergic conditions. Studies have found that microplastic particles stimulated blood cells to release more histamine, and an association between pregnant women's urine concentration of a phthalate metabolite and an increased risk of asthma in their children.
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Frequently asked questions
Consuming plastic is harmful to your health. Microplastics, which are smaller than 5mm, can damage human cells, decrease reproductive health, disrupt the endocrine system, and cause inflammation and allergic reactions.
It is difficult to completely avoid consuming plastic as it is pervasive in the environment, including in water, soil, seafood, tea, salt, beer, and vegetables. However, you can take steps to reduce your plastic consumption by choosing foods with minimal packaging, avoiding heating plastic in the microwave, and signing petitions to reduce plastic production.
The health effects of consuming plastic include cell damage, inflammation, allergic reactions, disrupted endocrine systems, and decreased reproductive health.
The impact of ingesting plastics on human health is not yet fully understood, but it is believed that the chemicals in plastics can accumulate in the body over time and pose an even greater risk to health.
If you accidentally swallow plastic, keep checking your stool for blood and seek medical attention if you experience any sharp pains, as the plastic may be stuck and causing internal bleeding.
