Microplastics

Microplastics are tiny plastic fragments smaller than 5 millimeters long. Some of these particles are so small that you can’t even see them with the naked eye. Humans are exposed to plastic particles through inhalation, ingestion and skin contact. The presence and buildup of microplastics is a danger to environmental balance, watery environments, lasting and safety of food, and likely human health. Microplastics have been found in the human gastrointestinal tract, lungs, blood and even in the placenta. Microplastic shapes can interfere with digestive and respiratory systems, and the chemical additives they release can disrupt the endocrine and reproductive systems. In a trial published this year, patients with carotid artery plaque with detectable levels of microplastics had a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, or death from any cause compared with those in whom microplastics were not detected. As of 2015, approximately 6,300 million metric tons of plastic waste had been generated, and by 2050, nearly 12,000 million metric tons of plastic waste is expected to enter landfills or the natural environment. Plastics could form microplastics through mechanical, photochemical and biological processes. Only 10% of plastic is recycled.  Any plastic object can become a source of microplastics once it begins to degrade. Microplastics come from the plastic you use every day — broken shards of plastic toys, pieces of old shopping bags, and microbeads in personal care products. They may be found in a variety of foods and beverages.


Microplastics in our Food Supply
Microplastics are found in seafood, drinking water, and numerous other foods, such as salt, honey, sugar, beer, and processed foods. Drinking water is arguably the most important contributor to microplastic intake. Researchers estimate that microplastic exposure is now inevitable and that the annual intake is approximately 11,000 particles from seafood, up to 73,000 particles from salt (through seawater contamination), 4,000 particles from tap water, and 90,000 particles from bottled water. Effluents from waste water treatment plants can be a significant source of pollution of freshwater sources of drinking water. Microplastic is also present in drinks sold in plastic bottles. Studies have shown that ~93% of water bottles may be contaminated with microplastics, at levels twice as high or more than those found in tap water. Contact between food and plastic packaging is almost always the cause of mutual transfers between container and contents. A particularly worrying source of particles are the caps of water and other beverage containers, since the particles drop directly into the drinking water inside the bottle. 
 
In this study, 1,114 microplastic particles were found each time the plastic cutting board was used to cut carrots. Plastic and PTFE-coated cookware and food contact materials may release microplastics into food during food preparation. Using non-plastic cookware did not introduce microplastics to the food. Using new and old plastic cookware, however, resulted in significant increases in microplastic contamination.
 
As noted above, the increasing use of plastic materials generates an enormous amount of waste. In the aquatic environment, a significant part of this waste is present in the form of microplastics. When microplastics find their way to the ocean, they’re picked up, moved around, and broken down by ocean currents. Once these particles are smaller than 5 mm, they are classified as microplastics – a contaminant of emerging concern. Microplastics can also be directly released into the environment from accidental spillages or wastewater releases containing microfibers and more. This study reported tires as a major source of pollution, finding that 78 percent of microplastic particles in the ocean is from “tire dust.”

Tips for Avoiding Microplastics

• Avoid plastic cutting boards – opt for wood, bamboo, glass, or stone boards. These materials are either nonporous or have natural antimicrobial properties. Do be sure your cutting board does not use adhesives or uses non-toxic, food-safe adhesives. Note that glass/stone boards may be hard on your knives.

• Avoid drinking from disposable plastic water bottles. If you do have to drink from them, try to keep them out of the sun in a cool, dry environment. Disposable plastic water bottles degrade very easily in response to temperature change or mechanical stress. Opt for a reusable metal or glass container as metal and glass materials are chemically inactive and do not react when in contact with food, offering a safer alternative to plastic.

• Microwave your food in glass containers, rather than plastic or takeaway containers. Heating food in plastic containers can release millions of microplastic particles into your food.

• Filter your water. Due to widespread use and pollution of plastic, water can sometimes contain microplastic particles. Home water filters can be effective at reducing many contaminants, including microplastics. 

• Dust and vacuum regularly. Removing excess dust from your kitchen can help cut down on the amount of microplastic fibers in the dust that could contaminate your food. 

Bottom Line
The full health impact of microplastics is unknown, but pretty confident that I don’t think we’ll find them protective. I’ll be honest, I found researching microplastics a dismal process, not quite the uplifting and empowering words that I prefer to write. Do your best to not stress about microplastics, but instead be proactive and incorporate the tips noted above into your daily life.

Not the most uplifting of topics, but wise to be aware.

In Health,
Natalie