Microplastics and Nanoplastics: The Hidden Dangers of Food

Imagine that someone were to ask you whether you want a side of plastic with your meal. Although it sounds ridiculous, the cold truth is that small plastic pieces are contaminating our food system and threatening human health and the environment. More than 430 million tons of plastic are produced each year, of which two-thirds are used once and discarded. This plastic trash is smothering our rivers, poisoning our oceans, and eventually making its way onto our plates. 

The Invisible Culprits: Microplastics and nanoplastics

Microplastics and nanoplastics are tiny plastic particles that cannot be seen with the naked eye. Microplastics vary between 5 mm to 1 micron in size, while nanoplastics are even tinier. These small-sized particles have been found in a vast variety of foods such as animal and plant-based protein sources, fruits, and vegetables. Even healthily looking items like Himalayan pink salt, sea salt, and black salt have high microplastic content.

The Alarming Truth: Plastic in Our Food

Recent research has unearthed some staggering facts regarding plastic contamination in food:

• 90% of samples of animal and plant protein have microplastics.
• Microplastics are absorbed by fruits and vegetables from the ground.
• A single plastic tea bag can yield more than 11 billion microplastic particles when boiled.
• Boiling rice can get you 3-4 mg of plastic, while precooked rice has 13 mg.
• Rinsing rice before cooking reduces plastic content by 40% and eliminates arsenic as well.

The Health Risks: A Growing Concern

These minute plastic particles can harbor toxic chemicals and poisons, which can be ingested by the human body. Microplastics have been detected in human lungs, blood, breast milk, and even the placenta. Studies indicate that individuals carrying microplastics in their arteries close to the brain could be more vulnerable to stroke or heart attack. Nanoplastics could also harbor endocrine-disrupting chemicals and heavy metals, which can travel to essential organs such as the liver and kidneys.

Foods with High Plastic Content

Certain foods contain more microplastics than others. They include:

• Breaded shrimp: Approximately 300 microplastic pieces per serving.
• Plant-based nuggets: High microplastic content.
• Apples and carrots: More than 100,000 microplastics per gram.

Cutting Down on Plastic Intake: Easy Steps

Although the situation might appear unfortunate, there are easy steps we can follow to cut down on our plastic intake:

• Drink filtered tap water in place of bottled water.
• Don't eat food wrapped in plastic and use glass, foil, or enamel instead.
• Heat food in glass or stainless steel containers.
• Eat foods fresh and cut down on packaged or processed food.
• Wear natural fiber clothing.

By implementing these minor adjustments, we can safeguard our health and the environment against the intangible harm of microplastics and nanoplastics. Now is the time to take action – let's collaborate to minimize plastic waste and build a healthier, more sustainable world.

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