Most people use plastic every day. However, this material generally isn’t biodegradable. Over time, it breaks down into tiny pieces called microplastics, which can be harmful to the environment. What’s more, recent studies have shown that microplastics are found commonly in food, particularly seafood. Microplastics are commonly found in food sources, particularly seafood. This may result in humans consuming high levels.
When fed to mice, the microplastics accumulated in the liver, kidneys and intestines, and increased levels of oxidative stress molecules in the liver. They also increased the level of a molecule that may be toxic to the brain.
Some evidence has shown that BPA can interfere with reproductive hormones, especially in women. [ Bisphenol A and human health; 2013 Aug 30. National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda MD, 20894 USA]
One recent study examined 15 different brands of sea salt and found up to 273 microplastic 600 particles per kilogram of salt.
Other studies have found up to 660 fibers per kilogram of honey and up to about 109 fragments per liter of beer.
However, the most common source of microplastics in food is seafood.
Because microplastics are particularly common in seawater, they are commonly consumed by fish and other marine organisms.
Recent studies have shown that certain fish mistake plastic for food, which can lead to toxic chemicals accumulating inside fish liver.
Microplastics are either purposely produced to be small, like microbeads in cosmetics, or formed from the breakdown of larger plastics. Unfortunately, microplastics are present throughout the environment, including in the air, water and food.
Seafood, particularly shellfish, contains high concentrations of microplastics that may accumulate in your body after you eat these foods.
How microplastics affect human health is currently unclear. However, results from animal and test-tube studies suggest they may have negative effects.
—Internet
