The issue of microplastics is becoming more and more pressing, given that plastic is increasingly ending up in our food and putting our health at risk. Recently, a study revealed the presence of microscopic fragments of plastic in nasal tissues. These microplastics were located in the olfactory bulb, the area in the nose responsible for smell detection and located at the base of the brain.
Previous studies have shown that microplastics and nanoplastics not only affect the brain but are also found in the lungs, liver, testicles, penis, blood, urine, faeces, breast milk and even the placenta. The impact of microplastics on the human body is not yet fully understood. Other research suggests that ultrafine microplastics can cause complex toxicity in certain types of fish, for example, zebrafish, and can affect almost all organs after entering the human body.
Here are five foods that contain significant amounts of microplastics and tips to reduce the risks!
1. Sugar and salt
Sugar and salt, essential in the kitchen, can hide considerable amounts of microplastics. These particles can enter food from plastic packaging or plastic containers. A study by Toxics Link tested ten types of salt (table salt, rock salt, sea salt) and five types of sugar from online and local markets. The result showed the presence of microplastics in all samples, in various forms: fibres, films and fragments, with sizes from 0.1 mm to 5 mm. Additionally, a 2023 study found that pink Himalayan salt contained the most microplastics, followed by black salt and sea salt.
2. Tea bags
Tea bags are an important source of microplastics that can harm the human body. The plastics in these sachets break down extremely slowly in nature, and the size of the fragments varies between 1 µm and 5 mm. Tea made with hot water can release harmful substances, exposing you to billions of plastic particles that can enter your cells.
3. Rice
Rice is a staple food that contributes to our exposure to microplastics. A study found that every half cup (100g) of rice eaten contains between 3 and 4 milligrams of plastic. Instant rice can have up to 13 milligrams of microplastics per serving. To reduce plastic contamination, it is important to wash the rice thoroughly before cooking.
4. Seafood
Seafood lovers need to be aware of the large amount of microplastics that enter the ocean through sewage and are ingested by marine animals. A 2020 study identified plastic in all types of seafood tested, indicating the accumulation of microplastics in marine organisms and their transfer to the human body.
5. Bottled water
Water in plastic bottles can contain up to 240,000 plastic fragments, according to a recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Using advanced imaging techniques, the study found thousands of tiny pieces of plastic in single-use water bottles. About 90% of these fragments are nanoplastics, which can be absorbed by human cells and tissues and cross the blood-brain barrier. Every time you open and close the cap of the bottle, the microplastics mix into the water.
To reduce exposure to microplastics, choose products without plastic packaging, wash food well and opt for safer solutions. Thus, you will protect your health and that of your loved ones.
