Study: each person ingests at least 50,000 microplastic particles per year
Research published in the journal "Environmental Science and Technology". Microplastics are now contained in all foods and beverages, and even in the air. Drinking only bottled water makes up to 130 thousand particles absorb in a year. The influence on people's health is still unknown.
London (AsiaNews / Agencies) - In one year, a person ingests on average at least 50,000 microplastic particles a year, a part of which is also breathed in by the lungs.
This is one of the conclusions that emerged in a study published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology.
It examines other studies that show the amounts of microplastic contained in fish, sugar, salt, beer, water, as well as in the air. Some added measurements are based on the diet of an average American, taking into account that many foods - such as bread, cheese, meat, vegetables - contain microplastic particles.
In total, the estimate is that an adult ingests at least 50 thousand particles a year, while a child ingests about 40 thousand. But by extending the study to other foods and drinks, we could reach hundreds of thousands of particles in a year.
For water, the most studied element, we notice that the water in bottles (of plastic) contains about 22 times more particles than tap water. A person who drinks only bottled water, absorbs 130 thousand particles in a year only from this source; drinking water from the tap absorbs only 4 thousand particles.
The impact of this ingestion on human health is still unknown. It is thought that the absorption of particles into the human body may cause reactions to toxic substances.
Microplastic pollution, produced by the disintegration of waste, has become a global phenomenon that requires a change in lifestyles.
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