The infamous microplastics, the invisible polluters of the ocean, our inescapable reality. Yes, all suitable titles for the plastic pollution occupying our waters, entering the food chain and infiltrating our bodies.
What are Microplastics?
Microplastics are small plastic particles measuring between 0.001 - 5mm in length (about the size of a sesame seed). These plastic fragments are designed to be minuscule – such as the micro-beads found in cosmetics or have formed from the breakage of larger plastic debris over time. Despite plastic’s durable properties, its surfaces become weathered and release micro-nano sized particles into the environment.
What are Microplastics Doing to Your Body?
In this day and age, avoiding contact with plastic is virtually impossible. Microplastics have been detected in the air we breathe, the water we drink and various foods we eat. The phrase “You Are What You Eat” is synonymous with the topic of microplastics entering the food chain and our bodies. Focusing on our protein intake, fish have always been a desirable food choice because of their impeccable taste and high-protein content. However, high-trophic level organisms can be exposed to microplastics via direct uptake from waterborne microplastics, depending on their feeding style and degree of dietary intake of contaminated prey.
Did you ever stop to wonder what the fish on your plate were eating?
People who consume seafood are at a high-risk of ingesting microscopic plastics. It has also been reported that microplastics are detected in tap water, bottle water, sugar, salt, beer, air and honey [3]. The annual microplastics consumptions ranges from 39 000 to 52 000 particles depending on the age and gender [6]. If you only drink from bottled water, you may be ingesting an additional 90 000 microplastics annually [6].
Once these plastics get into your body what happens?
There is little evidence exposing the direct impact of microplastics on the human body. However, research can verify that the toxicity levels of certain chemicals found in plastics have detrimental impacts on the public’s health. Plastic act like sponges and absorb the surrounding persistent organic pollutants (POPs). POPs are a group of chemicals that are responsible for causing cancer, diabetes, obesity, endocrine disturbances, cardiovascular, reproductive and biological problems. Depending on the diameter of the microplastic, they have the potential to leach into human tissues and release dangerous components into the body’s system. Including:
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
DDT
Bisphenol A (BPA)
Phthalates
Phenol
These toxins are all considered endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) [4]. EDC’s are considered toxic foreign invaders and disrupt the endocrine system. The endocrine system is responsible for producing, storing and secreting hormones. Therefore, these EDC’s will disrupt normal healthy development by impacting one’s metabolism, reproduction, response to psychological stress and lead to cancer.
How to avoid EDC’s
Where are POPs mainly found
Food – fish, shellfish, wild foods
Air – indoor and outdoor, cigarette, second-hand smoke
Products – pesticides, insecticides, paints
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