By Siddhi Joshi
Have you ever wondered, what is happening with the food container you just threw or the straw you just used to drink your favorite drink? Do you end up consuming the same plastic which you throw away? Yes, this may sound bizarre but microplastic is everywhere around you, in air which you breathe, water which you drink, and the food which you enjoy. Approximately, 74,000 microplastic particles are ingested by human bodies, every year.
Image courtesy- https://wasserdreinull.de
The term microplastic itself suggests that it is small particle of plastic of size less than 5 mm. Microplastic is generally categorized as primary & secondary microplastic. Primary microplastic is commercially designed to utilize in personal care as well as in cosmetic products. It is also widely used in clothing & other textile industries in the form of microfibers shed. These primary microplastics are added to variety of products with the intention of getting a certain texture or use them in other specific ways.
Secondary microplastic is formed by the breakdown of large plastic materials which are broadly recognized as Single Use Plastic. These items include straws, water bottles, cutleries, use & throw cups and food containers. This breakdown is caused by environmental factors like sun radiation, temperature variations & ocean waves. Natural factors like storms, winds and water runoff in addition to littering increase their probable occurrences. This pollution is considered as a ‘Permanent Pollution’ because this plastic does not get destroyed for millions of years, and stays forever on the Earth.
Some common microplastics present in food include:
Microplastics found in smaller quantities in food include BPA and BPF, mono-(3-carboxypropyl), mono-(carboxyisononyl), and mono-(carboxyisoctyl).
A 2020 review found that the increased inflammation induced by exposure to microplastics leads to poor gut health and, by extension, weakened immunity.
The gut plays an important role in immunity, with 70–80% of the body’s immune cells being in the gut. This means that any condition that affects gut health interferes with immune health as well.
How microplastics enter in our food chain
Light and buoyant microplastics can travel great distances on our oceans’ currents. They can be found at the oceans’ surface, on the beaches, in arctic sea ice, and in deep-sea sediments. Microplastics are eaten by fish, seabirds, and other marine life, who mistake these for food. Once eaten by aquatic animals, they can potentially become part of the human food chain. Recent research reports revealed that microplastics found in the faeces of people in Europe, Russia, and Japan, have confirmed the fact that we do ingest microplastics.
Research that found microplastics in the feces of people from Europe, Russia, and Japan, has confirmed that we do in fact ingest microplastics. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/24/microplastics-found-in-human-blood-for-first-time
. The broken down microplastic ends up on lands and in water bodies where many animals mistake it as food and consume it. This is the crucial step of microplastic entering the terrestrial, marine, and freshwater food chain.
Though microplastics are chemically inert, some researchers suggest that when harmful chemicals present in the environment come in contact with microplastics they act as bio-sponge and make them potentially hazardous. According to the Australian Food Standards Agency, plastic contamination of the food chain is unlikely to result in immediate health risks to consumers
Recent studies show that, when animals consume microplastic, some show traits of storing them in the form of fatty tissues after passing through circulatory and lymphatic systems. It can lead to cardiovascular malfunction, liver dysfunction, and endocrine disruption.
Seafood with mussels, sea salt, and drinking water are the majorly contaminated sources of microplastics. Few data also indicate that soil also gets polluted with these tiny particles of plastic and eventually makes the terrestrial food chain contaminated.
And it is also important to notice that, these microplastics can also enter our bodies directly through the food packaging materials. So, if you are habitual to heat your favorite dish with its container by keeping it in the microwave, be aware!! The heat and radiation cause the migration of harmful chemicals present in plastic into food. Current studies about the unintentional migration of chemicals from plastic to food stated that microwavable plastic can also breaks down at specific time & temperature. Other than food containers, the plastic used in food processing equipment and filling lines is the major origin of occurrences of plastic particles in edible items.
Plastic contains harmful chemicals like Bisphenol A and Phthalates which are used in the manufacturing of polyvinyl chloride and flexible yet durable and transparent plastic materials respectively. When plastic gets disintegrated into microplastic particles, these chemicals directly come in contact with food. Bisphenol A is precisely linked to the interference with hormones and some studies show that it reduces fertility in men & women. In addition to this, Phthalates are also responsible for lower testosterone levels in male offspring.
According to Amber Charles Alexis, MSPH, RDN review published in Medical News Today revealed that Scientists consider at least 15 of the chemicals, that manufacturers use to make plastic packaging to be endocrine disruptors.
Endocrine disruptors are structurally similar to some hormones in the body — such as estrogen, testosterone, and insulin — and mimic and disrupt their natural functions, leading to adverse health effects and increasing a person’s risk of chronic conditions.
In particular, research has shown that exposure to BPA plays a role in infertility in males and females alike, as well as in the development of polycystic ovary syndromeTrusted Source.
BPA competes with estrogen and testosterone for their receptors, reducing the amount of these hormones available for reproductive health.
Research continues to demonstrate that long-term exposure to endocrine-disrupting microplastics increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
How to Reduce Microplastic intake in your everyday life
According to Amber Charles Alexis, MSPH, RDN it is not easy to eliminate your exposure to microplastics may not be possible, but you can try to reduce the amount of microplastics you come into contact with and consume
1)Limit highly processed foods
Recent Research shows that consumption of highly processed foods — such as hamburgers, ready-to-eat convenience meals, French fries, ice cream, soda, and canned foods — with higher levels of phthalate microplastics in the body. This effect is more pronounced in children.
The best idea is to choose whole foods and minimally processed foods more often and limit or eliminate highly processed foods from your diet. This will help lower levels of endocrine-disrupting microplastics in the body.
Using eco-friendly packaging reduces the exposure to and migration of microplastics in the food supply.
The solution: Opt for the following:
Exposure to microplastics is almost 2–3 times higher in individuals who rely on their fluid intake from plastic water bottles than in those who use alternative water bottles.
This may be due to the fact that heat and longer storage times that may be common with bottled water the migration of microplastics from packaging into the food and water.
The ideal solution is to replace single-use or BPA-containing water bottles with glass or stainless steel ones to reduce exposure to microplastics
Styrene, which is another important chemical found in plastic which has detrimental effects on health such as nervous system issues, weakened immune system, and various cancers.
Scientists from all over the world, are trying to find solutions for analyzing the microplastic content in human tissues and the ways to eliminate them from food, air, and water as standard water purification systems and food preservation methods are unable to limit this contamination.
Always give preference to products made up of metal and cotton-based clothing materials. So, if you are going grocery shopping, carry your cotton tote bag which can bear enough weight and can be used 1000+ times before throwing. In addition to that, prioritize the use of cutleries and plates made up of metals that have 100% recycling rate.
Society of Plastic Industry (SPI) has launched some codes to differentiate between the various types of plastic and their recycling. These codes have been accepted globally and consumers can find them on plastic products. These codes consist of triangles formed by rows with the number present inside them. Always give preference to the products with codes 2, 4, and 5 because they are considered as eco-friendly plastics, with less chemical migration and a high recycling rate. Whereas try avoiding products with codes 1, 3, and 6 due to the hazardous chemicals present in them. Also, recycling cannot be done for these materials.
Fresh food and tap water have shown less microplastic contamination as compared to processed food wrapped in plastic and bottled water. So, try to consume freshly prepared food and limit the use of microwaves. Also, drink regular tap water after boiling, and you can also carry your own metal water bottle to avoid purchasing plastic bottles when you are outside the home.
Customers demand the use of recyclable and reusable packaging materials in supermarkets. The use of wax paper can be a reliable option after the plastic. This can be used to wrap high-risk products like meat & fish. For other products, a cloth bag can be a suitable option. Refillable cans & bottles can also help to reduce plastic waste generation.
And most importantly,
Do not underestimate the impact of the change you initiated, educate everyone around you about single-use plastic and its detrimental effects and work with the community to achieve the dream of ‘Plastic Free Food, Air, Water and Earth