Maya Ellison
Plastic is everywhere—in the air, sea, and probably your body. We all have likely swallowed tiny pieces of plastic without even realizing it. It could be from inadvertently swallowing while trying to open something with our teeth or from ingesting contaminated food or water. While swallowing small, rounded objects like plastic beads may pass harmlessly through the digestive tract, larger pieces of plastic can get lodged in the esophagus or cause stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, or constipation as the body tries to expel it. There are also potential long-term health consequences, including hormonal disruptions and serious conditions like cancer, stemming from the chemicals released by plastics as they break down in our bodies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Objects swallowed | Plastic beads, coins, pen parts, button batteries, food packaging, mechanical pencil parts, etc. |
| Health Risks | - Damage to intestinal walls and internal bleeding if sharp objects are swallowed |
| - Choking and throat pain if vomiting is induced | |
| - Blocked airway or aspiration (entering the lungs) | |
| - Long-term health risks: asthma, cancer, endocrine disruption, hormonal disruption, premature births | |
| Prevention | - Warn children against putting anything but food in their mouths |
| - Safe eating habits: eating at a table, thorough chewing, no high-risk behaviours like throwing food in the air and catching it | |
| - Proper storage and disposal of button batteries | |
| - Reduce plastic consumption and limit plastic packaging | |
| Treatment | - Seek immediate medical attention if a button battery or sharp object is swallowed |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic beads may pass harmlessly through the digestive tract
It is common for people to swallow plastic accidentally, and it is often in the form of microplastics—extremely small pieces of plastic debris that can measure up to 5mm in length, or even less than 1 micrometer (0.001mm) in size. These microplastics can be the result of larger plastics breaking down in the environment and are commonly found in food and water supplies.
Plastic beads, depending on their size, can be considered microplastics. If accidentally ingested, small plastic beads may pass harmlessly through the digestive tract, especially if they are smooth and rounded. In such cases, the beads will likely be excreted in stool without causing any harm.
However, it is important to note that this assumes the plastic beads are small and smooth. Larger or sharp plastic pieces can pose a risk of gastrointestinal issues, internal bleeding, or damage to the gut lining. If a person experiences discomfort or worry after ingesting plastic, it is recommended to seek medical advice.
While small plastic beads may pass through the body without issue, it is important to be cautious with young children, who are at risk of choking on small objects. Additionally, the long-term health risks of ingesting plastic, even in small amounts, can be serious, including potential endocrine disruption, leading to the development of cancers, and other health issues.
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They can cause choking, especially in children
Plastic beads, especially small, rounded ones, often pass through the digestive tract without causing harm. However, they can pose a choking hazard, particularly for children. Babies and toddlers are attracted to small, shiny objects, and coins account for about 75% of the objects found in children's oesophagi. Plastic beads may also fall into this category of choking hazards.
Children under five, especially under three, are at risk of choking on food items. Large pieces of food can get lodged in the throat, and soft or gelatin-like foods can form a seal in the oesophagus or airway. Examples of hazardous foods include hot dogs, carrots, grapes, hard candy, marshmallows, and gum.
Older children may also choke on pen parts, which account for about 25% of choking incidents in this age group. Kids sometimes chew on pens or pen caps, or hold them in their mouths while doing something else, creating a risk of choking. If food or another object gets stuck in a child's throat, it can partially or completely block the airway, leading to coughing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing.
In general, if a swallowed object is too big, it can get lodged in the oesophagus. It can "go down the wrong pipe" (aspiration) and block the airway, enter the lung, or cause vomiting, which may be dangerous, especially for children. If you suspect a child has swallowed something harmful, take them to the emergency room immediately.
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They may cause gastrointestinal issues
Swallowing plastic beads may not cause immediate harm, but it can lead to several gastrointestinal issues. The severity of these issues depends on the size, shape, and quantity of the beads swallowed. Small, rounded objects like beads often travel harmlessly through the digestive tract and are passed out in stool. However, larger or sharper objects can cause more serious problems.
If the plastic beads are large or sharp, they may get lodged in the esophagus, causing choking or aspiration, which can block the airway or lead to lung damage. Sharp objects can also damage the gut lining, resulting in internal bleeding. In such cases, immediate medical attention is required.
Consuming larger pieces of plastic can also lead to gastrointestinal issues such as stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, or constipation as the body tries to expel the foreign object. These issues can be extremely uncomfortable and may require medical intervention.
Additionally, plastic beads can introduce harmful chemicals into the body. Microplastics, which are extremely small pieces of plastic, can be absorbed by the intestines and travel to other parts of the body via blood circulation. These microplastics can pass through cell membranes, causing potential damage at a cellular level. The chemicals released by plastics when they break down in the body can lead to serious long-term health issues, including hormonal disruptions, cancer, and other lethal conditions.
To reduce the risk of ingesting plastic beads and the associated gastrointestinal issues, it is important to be cautious when consuming food and to choose products with limited plastic packaging. Regular household cleaning practices can also help reduce indoor plastic contamination.
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They can cause long-term health issues, including cancer
While small plastic beads may pass through the digestive tract without causing harm, the long-term consequences of ingesting plastic can cause several lethal health issues, including cancer.
Plastic is found in our food and water supply, and we ingest it without realising it. These tiny particles enter our digestive system and can be absorbed by the intestines, travelling to other body parts via blood circulation. Microplastics can pass through cell membranes, potentially causing damage at a cellular level.
Research shows that consuming plastic constantly, even inadvertently, has extremely serious health consequences. This is due to the chemicals released by plastics when they break down in our bodies. Phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA) are potential endocrine-disrupting chemicals, meaning they can interfere with hormone functionality, leading to the development of cancers. Breast cancer and prostate cancer are the most common cancers stemming from plastic consumption.
To reduce exposure to plastic ingestion, one can limit the amount of plastic introduced into the food chain. This includes being mindful of food packaging and choosing options with limited plastic packaging. Regular household cleaning practices can also help reduce indoor plastic contamination.
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They can be ingested unknowingly through food and water
Plastic beads can be ingested unknowingly through food and water in various ways. Plastic is used throughout food production, from growing to packaging. For example, bananas grown on a plantation in Cameroon are covered in plastic bags to prevent disfiguring marks. Similarly, cracking open a brand-new plastic bottle or tearing a wrapper off a sandwich can release plastic fragments that we might end up ingesting.
Plastic fibres can also wash off our clothes into our water supplies. In fact, 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. A 2019 study estimated that Americans consume around 70,000 microplastic particles a year, and those who drink bottled water may consume even more.
Microplastics can also enter our bodies through the air. Household dust can be full of microplastics, which we can kick up into the air from our carpets and breathe in. They can also mix into beach sand and blow in the wind, which we can inadvertently inhale.
The food we eat can also contain trace amounts of plastic packaging. A study published in 2018 in the journal Environmental Pollution concluded that people were more likely to ingest plastic through dust in their environment than by eating shellfish. The more processed or packaged a food is, the higher the risk that it contains harmful chemicals. Food cans, for example, are often lined with bisphenol A (or similar compounds).
To reduce exposure to plastic beads, we can consider the food we consume and how it is packaged. Regular household cleaning practices can help reduce indoor contamination. It is recommended to eat fresh food as much as possible and avoid relying on processed food wrapped in plastic. When storing food, it is better to use containers made of glass or silicone or wrap food in aluminium foil.
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Frequently asked questions
If the plastic beads are small and round, they will likely pass through the digestive tract without causing harm. However, sharp plastic objects can damage the gut lining and cause internal bleeding. If you experience any discomfort or worry after swallowing plastic, seek medical advice.
Plastic beads are tiny pieces of plastic debris that can be found in cosmetic products like facial washes and toothpastes. They are usually accidentally ingested when eating or drinking.
Research shows that constantly ingesting plastic can lead to serious health issues, including cancer, asthma, and hormonal disruptions. These dangers are linked to the chemicals released by plastics as they break down in the body.
To reduce your exposure, choose products with limited plastic packaging and avoid cosmetics containing microplastic beads. Regular household cleaning can also reduce indoor plastic contamination.
