Maya Ellison
Microplastics are small plastic particles that are either intentionally added to consumer goods or are products of plastics breaking down. They are found in almost every corner of the planet, from the Arctic snow to remote deserts, and have infiltrated our food supply. Microplastics enter the food we eat through environmental contamination, primarily where foods are grown or raised. They have been detected in numerous foods, including salt, seafood, sugar, beer, bottled water, honey, milk, tea, meat, and produce. While the impact of ingesting microplastics on human health is not yet fully understood, studies have shown that they can cause health issues such as increased inflammation, impaired fasting glucose, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Microplastics are small plastic particles that come from the degradation of plastics. |
| Size | Smaller than 5mm. Nanoplastics are even smaller, typically considered to be less than 1 micron. |
| Sources | Environmental contamination where foods are grown or raised, plastic food packaging, personal care products, air, water, soil, clouds, and more. |
| Presence in Food | Salt, seafood, sugar, beer, bottled water, honey, milk, tea, meat, produce, and more. |
| Health Effects | Increased inflammation, impaired fasting glucose, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, endocrine disruption, immune system issues, reproductive issues, developmental problems, carcinogenesis, etc. |
| Mitigation | Reduce plastic production and pollution, limit consumption of highly processed foods, choose eco-friendly food packaging, use glass or stainless steel water bottles, filter tap water, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
Microplastics enter the food supply through environmental contamination
Plastic has infiltrated almost every corner of the Earth, from the Arctic snow to remote deserts, deep ocean trenches, and even the human body. Microplastics, a type of plastic smaller than 5mm, are particularly pervasive and insidious. They form through the breakdown of larger plastics into tiny particles that end up in the ocean, air, and soil.
Microplastics can contaminate food crops directly when plastic particles are spread on farmland as fertiliser. Sewage sludge has contaminated almost 20 million acres of US cropland with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly found in plastic products. The industrial discharge of PFAS into waters also contaminates the sludge used to fertilise crops.
Microplastics can also enter the food supply through plastic packaging. Plastic is used for food and beverage packaging, and during its use, it becomes worn and breaks into small fragments called microplastics. These microplastics can migrate into food, with the amount affected by heating food in plastic packaging, long storage times, and the type of plastic used.
While the impact of ingesting plastics on human health is not yet fully understood, there is some evidence of potential harm. Studies have shown that once absorbed, microplastics can distribute to the liver, spleen, heart, lungs, thymus, reproductive organs, kidneys, and even the brain. They can also act as a vessel for harmful substances to enter the body, absorbing chemicals linked to cancers and weakened immune systems.
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Microplastics are found in water, soil, air, and food
Microplastics are small plastic pieces that measure less than 5mm in length. They are found in the environment, including water, soil, air, and food.
Water
Microplastics are prevalent in oceans and lakes. They come from larger plastic debris that degrades into smaller pieces, as well as microbeads found in health and beauty products, which pass through water filtration systems. Aquatic life and birds may mistake microplastics for food.
Soil
Leftover plastic debris from crop cultivation can degrade into microplastics, which may be transported deep into the soil. They can affect soil characteristics such as porosity and microbial activities and can also pollute underground water sources.
Air
Microplastics have been detected in the air, sometimes thousands of miles from their source. They can be transported long distances through wind and ocean currents. On roadways, tires and brakes hurl microplastics into the air, and they can also be found in agricultural dust.
Food
Microplastics may be present in food due to environmental contamination where foods are grown or raised. They have been detected in various foods, including salt, seafood, sugar, beer, bottled water, honey, milk, and tea. However, there is currently insufficient evidence to show that microplastics from food packaging migrate into food and beverages. The potential health effects of microplastics in food are still being studied.
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Microplastics are harmful to human health
Microplastics can enter the human body through contaminated food and beverages, such as seafood, beer, salt, and bottled water. They can also be absorbed by crops and drinking water, ending up in our food system. These plastic particles contain thousands of plastic chemicals, many of which pose health risks. BPA, phthalates, and PFAS are just a few of the toxic chemicals found in microplastics.
The health hazards of microplastics include oxidative stress, DNA damage, organ dysfunction, metabolic disorder, immune response, neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, and reproductive and developmental toxicity. Studies have found microplastics in human blood, stool, urine, and organs, indicating their ability to accumulate in the human body.
The presence of microplastics in the human body has been linked to various chronic diseases. For example, research has shown a positive correlation between fecal microplastic concentration and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Additionally, higher concentrations of microplastics have been detected in cirrhotic liver tissues compared to healthy liver samples.
While the exact mechanisms of toxicity are still being studied, the pervasive presence of microplastics in the environment and human exposure through various pathways underscores the urgency of addressing this global issue. Individuals, organizations, and governments must work together to reduce plastic usage and transition to a more sustainable future.
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Microplastics are found in seafood, salt, sugar, honey, and tea
Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic that are less than five millimetres in size. They are commonly found in the environment and can make their way into our food supply, including seafood, salt, sugar, honey, and tea. While the health effects of ingesting microplastics are still being studied, their presence in our food is a growing concern.
Seafood is particularly vulnerable to microplastic contamination due to the nature of the ocean as a vast collector of pollution and waste. Studies have found microplastics in commonly consumed dried fish species, such as the green back mullet and croaker. Small pelagic fish like sardines and herring, which are often eaten whole, can pose an even greater risk of microplastic ingestion. Bivalve mollusks, such as mussels, have also been found to contain microplastics, with higher quantities detected in farmed mussels purchased from markets compared to wild bivalves. The ingestion of microplastics by these organisms can have detrimental effects on their immune systems, and potentially, on human consumers as well.
Salt, an essential seasoning and preservative, is also susceptible to microplastic contamination. Studies have shown that over 90% of sea salt brands worldwide contain microplastic particles. These particles may come from various sources, such as plastic packaging or the ocean itself, as salt is often derived from seawater. While the health effects of ingesting microplastics from salt are not fully understood, their presence is concerning.
Honey, a natural sweetener produced by bees, has also been found to contain microplastics. Bees can incorporate microplastic fibres into their hives from the environment, including the food they ingest and the adhesion to their cuticles. These microplastics can then be transferred to the honey, wax, and larvae in the hive. While the levels of microplastic contamination in honey are typically low, it still raises concerns about the potential impact on honey quality and bee health.
Sugar, another commonly used sweetener, has also come under scrutiny for potential microplastic contamination. A pioneering study on the characterization of microplastics in commercial sugars found that sugar samples contained microplastics, although the specific sources and health implications are still being investigated.
Tea, a beloved beverage worldwide, has not been spared from the issue of microplastic contamination. Single-use tea bags, particularly those made of nylon or PET plastic, have been found to release billions of microplastic particles during the brewing process. Even paper tea bags may contain plastic fibres in the sealant or additives like epichlorohydrin. While the health effects of consuming microplastics in tea are unclear, the absence of evidence of toxicity does not imply safety, and further research is warranted.
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Reduce microplastic exposure by avoiding single-use plastics
Microplastics are small pieces of plastic that are less than 5mm in size. They can be manufactured to be that size or degraded from larger plastics that have been discarded into the environment. They are found in the ocean, air, and soil, and have made their way into our food systems.
While the current scientific evidence does not demonstrate that the levels of microplastics detected in food pose a risk to human health, studies have found microplastics in all meat and produce products tested. They are also found in seafood, salt, sugar, beer, bottled water, honey, milk, and tea.
- Avoid single-use plastics such as plastic bags, takeout containers, and plastic bottles. Opt for reusable alternatives instead.
- Avoid twisting the cap of a plastic bottle, as this can produce up to 500 microplastic particles each time.
- Filter your tap water to remove microplastics. Reverse osmosis systems are promising for removing microplastics, although their components are made of plastic.
- Rinse rice with filtered water before cooking, as this can reduce microplastic levels by up to 40%.
- Buy produce from a farmer's market where possible, and choose loose produce instead of pre-packaged items.
- Avoid storing hot food in plastic containers, as this accelerates the leaching of microplastics.
- Avoid microwaving food in plastic containers, as heat makes plastic release harmful chemicals. Use glass, ceramic, or stainless steel containers instead.
- Avoid plastic water bottles and opt for glass or steel water bottles.
- Reduce your consumption of red meat, as chemicals tend to accumulate in fatty foods and animals higher up in the food chain.
- Avoid shellfish, as microplastics in the ocean are ingested by bottom-feeding shellfish, which are then consumed by humans.
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Frequently asked questions
Microplastics are small plastic particles that are typically considered to be less than 5mm in size. They can be manufactured to be that size or degraded from larger plastics that have been discarded into the environment.
Microplastics enter the food supply primarily through environmental contamination. They are found in water, soil, and air, and are absorbed by crops and drinking water. They can also enter the food supply through plastic packaging and single-use plastic bottles.
The impact of ingesting microplastics on human health is not yet fully understood. Current scientific evidence does not demonstrate that the levels of microplastics detected in food pose a risk to human health. However, some studies have shown that microplastics can cause health issues such as increased inflammation, impaired fasting glucose, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. Microplastics have also been found to damage human cells, decrease reproductive health, and disrupt the endocrine system.
You can reduce your exposure to microplastics by limiting your consumption of highly processed foods, choosing eco-friendly food packaging, and using glass or stainless steel water bottles instead of plastic ones. Filtering tap water can also help reduce microplastic consumption.
