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Fast Company
20 hours ago
- Health
- Fast Company
Your food is full of microplastics—and now we know why
A study published this week delves into the mystery of how the plastic objects we interact with daily shed tiny particles that creep into our bodies, brains and guts. While the scientific focus has long been on how microplastics pollute our environment and impact wildlife, researchers are increasingly raising alarms about how the same contaminants can wreak havoc in the human body. The new research, published in the journal NPJ Science of Food, wove together data from 100 previous papers that studied microplastics, nanoplastics and plastic particles. The results were compiled into an open database published by the Food Packaging Forum, a Swiss nonprofit that examines chemicals in food packaging. Microplastics and nanoplastics are plastic particles in the millimeter to nanometer range, with the latter causing even more concern among scientists because their tiny size makes them able to slip into human cells. 'This is the first systematic evidence map to investigate the role of the normal and intended use of food contact articles in the contamination of foodstuffs with MNPs [microplastics and nanoplastics],' lead author of and Scientific Communication Officer at the Food Packaging Forum Dr. Lisa Zimmermann said. 'Food contact articles are a relevant source of MNPs in foodstuffs; however, their contribution to human MNP exposure is underappreciated.' How we interact with plastic matters The new study looked at a broad range of 'food contact articles' that included water bottles, cutting boards, food processing equipment and packaging ranging from food wrappers to tea bags. Most food packaging contains plastic, even many things that seem like they don't, like the paper that wraps around cold cuts and cheese, cardboard takeout containers and glass bottles and jars, which often have a plastic-coated closure. The authors focused on how everyday objects used as intended can shed microplastics and how that shedding can worsen over the course of repeated interactions. Across 14 different studies, microplastic shedding was found to increase with repeated uses, including screwing a reusable water bottle lid on and off, washing a melamine dish or putting plastic tableware into contact with hot foods 'These findings are relevant for reused plastic [food contact articles] and should be considered when assessing the safety of FCAs across use cycles,' the authors wrote. Based on their research, and its blind spots, they stressed the need for future studies to delve more deeply into how repeated interactions, heating and washing affects how much microplastic is shed by kitchenware and food packaging that most of the world's population might come into contact with countless times each day. The authors also found that the bulk of the research on microplastics focused on only a few kinds of objects that come into contact with food and drinks, like water bottles and tea bags. Similarly, more studies focused on PET and polypropylene over other common plastics, leaving a lot of unknowns about how much plastic is being shed by food packaging made out of other materials. Food and beverage containers can expose the human body to microplastics every time we interact with them but relatively little is still known about how that process works. That mystery is an ominous one considering how ubiquitous plastics are globally in food packaging and preparation and how their presence is increasingly linked to reproductive, digestive and respiratory problems and potentially even colon and lung cancer. Plastics appear to have no trouble finding their way into the human body. Another recent study found that the adult brain can contain a plastic spoon's worth of microplastics and nanoplastics, an amount that's seven to 30 times higher than what might be found in the liver or kidneys. Those kind of findings show that it's imperative for future research to track down how all of that plastic is finding its way into the human body and what exactly it does once it gets there.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
The microplastics lurking in your kitchen cupboards: Experts reveal the popular products that release the most dangerous particles - including teabags, baby bottles, and chopping boards
Next time you eat from a container or swig from a cup, you may be ingesting more than just food and drink. Scientists in Switzerland warn that ever-ubiquitous plastic food packaging is leaving us constantly exposed to tiny microplastics and even smaller 'nanoplastics'. These fragments, less than 0.2 of an inch (5mm) in diameter, are so small that they're invisible to the naked eye. The team's new study found evidence of microplastics in several popular items - including baby bottles, chopping boards, and even teabags. When we ingest them, the tiny fragments don't just pass through the body and out the other end, but lodge in organs in the body, such as the heart, lungs and brain. While the long-term effects of these particles on human health remain unclear, they've been linked to cancer and strokes, dementia and pregnancy complications. 'Plastic food contact articles can release microplastics and nanoplastics into foodstuffs,' the experts warn. 'To better protect human health, regulations could mandate microplastics and nanoplastics migration testing.' In the study, the experts from Food Packaging Forum, a non-profit organisation in Zurich, evaluated 103 previously published microplastics studies. These studies had investigated microplastics that had been in contact with 'food contact articles' (FCAs) – plastic items commonly found in the home and the industry. Examples of FCAs include baby bottles, disposable cups, trays, wrapping such as cling film, chopping boards and even teabags. The researchers warn that microplastics tend to be released during 'the normal use as intended by the manufacturer' of these FCAs. For example, opening a bottle with a plastic lid leads to abrasion and microplastics rubbing off against the skin, as does cutting on plastic chopping boards. Meanwhile, swirling a teabag in a mug of hot water effectively releases particles from the plastic sealant used in some teabags. 'Food contact articles are a relevant source of MNPs in foodstuffs; however, their contribution to human MNP exposure is underappreciated,' said Dr Zimmermann. According to the team's findings, 173 of the studies found microplastics had been shed from plastic bottles – more than any other item. Most of the plastics were in the microplastics range (1-1,000 micrometres) but others were defined as nanoplastics (less than 1 micrometre). Others were 'mesoplastics' (1-10mm) which are generally large enough to see with the naked eye This does not necessarily mean that plastic bottles shed the most microplastics; rather that there are more studies to suggest plastic bottles are a source of microplastics compared with other FCAs. Also, 115 studies found microplastics coming from 'other containers', 68 studies found microplastics from tea bags and 59 studies found them from cups. Among the other FCAs identified as leaking microplastics were bags (57 studies), trays (19 studies), wrapping (11 studies) and chopping boards (one study). Worryingly, 27 studies found microplastics had been shed from baby bottles and related accessories, showing that we're exposed to them from birth. Also, the researchers found that the main food contact material was PET (polyethylene terephthalate) or rPET (the recycled version). One of the most widely used plastics globally, PET is a clear, strong and lightweight plastic takes hundreds of years to break down in the environment when it is discarded. Meanwhile, most of the plastics were in the microplastics range (1-1,000 micrometres) but others were defined as nanoplastics (less than 1 micrometre). Others were 'mesoplastics' (1-10mm) which are generally large enough to see with the naked eye. Already, microplastics have been found in human blood, the brain, the gut, the placenta of unborn babies and the faeces of adults and infants. Health consequences of exposures to these particles 'are not yet fully understood', the team say in their paper, published in npj Science of Food. But available scientific evidence indicates that microplastics and nanoplastics can alter 'the composition of the human gut microbiome', the trillion-strong community of microorganisms in your belly helps control digestion and benefits your immune system. Other research suggests exposure leads to oxidative stress and inflammation, neurotoxicity, immunological and reproductive effects, and changes to endocrine signaling, a vital communication system within the body controlled by hormones. Taken together, the emerging evidence strongly suggests that mitigating human exposure to MNPs [microplastics and nanoplastics] is prudent,' the team add. To better protect human health, regulations could mandate MNP migration testing for FCAs The team's full dataset is freely available through an interactive dashboard. WHAT CAN MICROPLASTICS DO TO THE HUMAN BODY IF THEY END UP IN OUR FOOD SUPPLY? According to an article published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, our understanding of the potential human health effects from exposure to microplastics 'constitutes major knowledge gaps.' Humans can be exposed to plastic particles via consumption of seafood and terrestrial food products, drinking water and via the air. However, the level of human exposure, chronic toxic effect concentrations and underlying mechanisms by which microplastics elicit effects are still not well understood enough in order to make a full assessment of the risks to humans. According to Rachel Adams, a senior lecturer in Biomedical Science at Cardiff Metropolitan University, ingesting microplastics could cause a number of potentially harmful effects, such as: Inflammation: when inflammation occurs, the body's white blood cells and the substances they produce protect us from infection. This normally protective immune system can cause damage to tissues. An immune response to anything recognised as 'foreign' to the body: immune responses such as these can cause damage to the body. Becoming carriers for other toxins that enter the body: microplastics generally repel water and will bind to toxins that don't dissolve, so microplastics can bind to compounds containing toxic metals such as mercury, and organic pollutants such as some pesticides and chemicals called dioxins, which are known to causes cancer, as well as reproductive and developmental problems. If these microplastics enter the body, toxins can accumulate in fatty tissues.
CNN
4 days ago
- Health
- CNN
Microplastics shed by food packaging are contaminating our food and drink, study finds
Ripping the plastic wrap from the meat or prepackaged fruit and veggies you purchased at the grocery store may contaminate your food with micro- and nanoplastics, according to new research. Plastic contamination may also occur when you're unwrapping deli meat and cheese, steeping a tea bag in hot water, or opening cartons of milk or orange juice. Glass bottles and jars with a plastic-coated metal closure may also shed microscopic bits of plastic, the study found. In fact, the abrasion from repeatedly opening and closing the caps on glass and plastic bottles can release an untold amount of micro- and nanoplastics into the beverage, said Lisa Zimmermann, lead author of the study published Tuesday in the journal NPJ Science of Food. 'The research shows the number of microplastics increases with each bottle opening, so therefore we can say it's the usage of the food contact article which leads to micro- and nanoplastic release,' said Zimmermann, scientific communication officer at the Food Packaging Forum, a nonprofit foundation based in Zurich, Switzerland, that studies chemicals in food contact materials. Researchers have measured micro- and nanoplastics in such food and drink products as beer, canned fish, rice, mineral water, tea bags, table salts, take-out foods and soft drinks, according to the study. 'This is the first systematic evidence of how normal and intended use of foodstuffs packaged in plastics can be contaminated with micro- and nanoplastics,' Zimmermann said. 'We found food packaging is actually a direct source of the micro- and nanoplastics measured in food.' A separate investigation by the Food Packaging Forum published in September 2024 found more than 3,600 chemicals leach into consumer products during food manufacturing, processing, packaging and storage, ending up in the human body. Seventy-nine of those food-processing chemicals are known to cause cancer, genetic mutations, endocrine and reproductive issues, and other health concerns, according to the September 2024 study. And while scientists have long known about potentially toxic chemicals from plastics leaching into food, 'what's less clear, and deeply concerning, is just how significant food packaging is as a source of exposure to plastic particles and what that means for our health,' said David Andrews, acting chief science officer at the Environmental Working Group, a Washington, DC-based health and environmental advocacy organization, in an email. 'This new study highlights food packaging and processing equipment as potentially significant sources of microplastic contamination in the food we eat, and ultimately in our bodies,' said Andrews, who was not involved with the research. 'This study should raise alarm bells.' CNN reached out to the Plastics Industry Association for comment but did not hear back before publication. Microplastics are polymer fragments that can range from less than 0.2 inch (5 millimeters) down to 1/25,000th of an inch (1 micrometer). Anything smaller is a nanoplastic that must be measured in billionths of a meter. At 1,000th the average width of a human hair, experts say nanoplastics are so teeny they can migrate through the tissues of the digestive tract or lungs into the bloodstream. As the blood circulates, the plastics may distribute potentially harmful synthetic chemicals throughout the body and into cells. A flurry of recent studies have discovered microplastics and nanoplastics in human brain tissue, the testes and the penis, human blood, lung and liver tissues, urine and feces, mother's milk, and the placenta. In the first analysis to illustrate harm to human health, a March 2024 study found people with microplastics or nanoplastics in their carotid artery tissues were twice as likely to have a heart attack or stroke or die from any cause over the next three years than people who had none. The latest research searched thousands of studies to find those that did the best job of identifying and measuring plastics in tested foods before narrowing the list to 103 for the review. Microplastic research is quite new, and studies so far often use different methods of microplastic identification and measurement. The lack of standard protocol can make it difficult to adequately compare findings, said senior study author Jane Muncke, managing director and chief scientific officer at the Food Packaging Forum. 'The novel aspect of our analysis is we didn't just collect all the studies, but we also examined the scientific reliability of their methods. We included a critical appraisal step,' Muncke said. 'That left us with seven highly reliable studies — more high-quality research is definitely needed.' According to that research, ultraprocessed foods contain significantly more microplastics than minimally processed foods. 'There's a higher number of manufacturing steps with ultraprocessed foods, which can increase the contact time with plastic food processing equipment,' Muncke said, 'thus increasing the chance of micro- and nanoplastic migration.' Migration into food also increased when the plastic packaging was heated, washed for reuse, exposed to sunlight and subjected to mechanical stress — such as the twist used to open a bottle cap, according to the review. That sort of repeated stress could lead to higher abrasion than opening a plastic container, so future research should consider how plastic is used as well as the types of plastics, Muncke said. 'This is a rigorous, detailed and critical study that applies robust systematic methods to review the existing literature on microplastics and food contact materials,' said Megan Deeney, a research fellow and doctoral student in plastics and global health at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine at the University of London, in an email. 'What is particularly important is that the authors take the time to extract and evaluate evidence on whether the presence of microplastics changed over time in these studies — this can help to identify the food contact material itself as a direct source of food contamination by microplastics,' said Deeney, who was not involved with the new research. One of the studies included in the new review found 1 liter of water — the equivalent of two standard-size bottled waters bought at the store — contained an average of 240,000 plastic particles from seven types of plastics, of which 90% were identified as nanoplastics and the rest were microplastics. Another example involved melamine, which is used to make bowls, plates, cups and other plastic tableware. 'In one study, researchers washed a melamine bowl 10 times, 20 times, 50 times, 100 times and measured the amount of microplastic it released each time,' Zimmermann said. 'Then they put something in the bowl and tested it and found more microplastic release after increased washing.' While it's not yet possible to clean microplastics from the food supply, there are steps one can take to reduce exposure to plastics and the chemicals they secrete. 'One is to reduce our plastic footprint by using stainless steel and glass containers, when possible,' said Dr. Leonardo Trasande, director of environmental pediatrics at NYU Langone Health, in an earlier interview with CNN. 'Avoid microwaving food or beverages in plastic, including infant formula and pumped human milk, and don't put plastic in the dishwasher, because the heat can cause chemicals to leach out,' Trasande said. In addition, check the recycling code on the bottom of packaging to find the plastic type, and avoid plastics with recycling code 3, which typically contain phthalates, he added. Bring reusable bags to the grocery store, suggests the Natural Resources Defense Council, a New York City-based environmental advocacy group. Invest in a zippered fabric bag and ask the dry cleaner to return your clothes in that instead of those thin sheets of plastic. Bring a travel mug to the local coffee store for takeout and silverware to the office, cutting back on plastic cups and utensils. However, due to the pervasiveness of microplastics in the environment, 'this is not something that any individual can solve on their own,' Deeney said. 'We need systemic action to reduce plastics production and pollution,' she said via email, encouraging anyone concerned about the issue to send a message to their representatives. 'There's a critical opportunity for individuals to engage with governments to demand strong, ambitious action on plastics in the upcoming final round of negotiations for a Global Plastics Treaty in Geneva this August, where more than 175 countries will convene to determine a legally-binding instrument to end plastics pollution.' Get inspired by a weekly roundup on living well, made simple. Sign up for CNN's Life, But Better newsletter for information and tools designed to improve your well-being.
CNN
4 days ago
- Health
- CNN
Microplastics shed by food packaging are contaminating our food and drink, study finds
Food & health Corporate news PollutionFacebookTweetLink Follow Ripping the plastic wrap from the meat or prepackaged fruit and veggies you purchased at the grocery store may contaminate your food with micro- and nanoplastics, according to new research. Plastic contamination may also occur when you're unwrapping deli meat and cheese, steeping a tea bag in hot water, or opening cartons of milk or orange juice. Glass bottles and jars with a plastic-coated metal closure may also shed microscopic bits of plastic, the study found. In fact, the abrasion from repeatedly opening and closing the caps on glass and plastic bottles can release an untold amount of micro- and nanoplastics into the beverage, said Lisa Zimmermann, lead author of the study published Tuesday in the journal NPJ Science of Food. 'The research shows the number of microplastics increases with each bottle opening, so therefore we can say it's the usage of the food contact article which leads to micro- and nanoplastic release,' said Zimmermann, scientific communication officer at the Food Packaging Forum, a nonprofit foundation based in Zurich, Switzerland, that studies chemicals in food contact materials. Researchers have measured micro- and nanoplastics in such food and drink products as beer, canned fish, rice, mineral water, tea bags, table salts, take-out foods and soft drinks, according to the study. 'This is the first systematic evidence of how normal and intended use of foodstuffs packaged in plastics can be contaminated with micro- and nanoplastics,' Zimmermann said. 'We found food packaging is actually a direct source of the micro- and nanoplastics measured in food.' A separate investigation by the Food Packaging Forum published in September 2024 found more than 3,600 chemicals leach into consumer products during food manufacturing, processing, packaging and storage, ending up in the human body. Seventy-nine of those food-processing chemicals are known to cause cancer, genetic mutations, endocrine and reproductive issues, and other health concerns, according to the September 2024 study. And while scientists have long known about potentially toxic chemicals from plastics leaching into food, 'what's less clear, and deeply concerning, is just how significant food packaging is as a source of exposure to plastic particles and what that means for our health,' said David Andrews, acting chief science officer at the Environmental Working Group, a Washington, DC-based health and environmental advocacy organization, in an email. 'This new study highlights food packaging and processing equipment as potentially significant sources of microplastic contamination in the food we eat, and ultimately in our bodies,' said Andrews, who was not involved with the research. 'This study should raise alarm bells.' CNN reached out to the Plastics Industry Association for comment but did not hear back before publication. Microplastics are polymer fragments that can range from less than 0.2 inch (5 millimeters) down to 1/25,000th of an inch (1 micrometer). Anything smaller is a nanoplastic that must be measured in billionths of a meter. At 1,000th the average width of a human hair, experts say nanoplastics are so teeny they can migrate through the tissues of the digestive tract or lungs into the bloodstream. As the blood circulates, the plastics may distribute potentially harmful synthetic chemicals throughout the body and into cells. A flurry of recent studies have discovered microplastics and nanoplastics in human brain tissue, the testes and the penis, human blood, lung and liver tissues, urine and feces, mother's milk, and the placenta. In the first analysis to illustrate harm to human health, a March 2024 study found people with microplastics or nanoplastics in their carotid artery tissues were twice as likely to have a heart attack or stroke or die from any cause over the next three years than people who had none. The latest research searched thousands of studies to find those that did the best job of identifying and measuring plastics in tested foods before narrowing the list to 103 for the review. Microplastic research is quite new, and studies so far often use different methods of microplastic identification and measurement. The lack of standard protocol can make it difficult to adequately compare findings, said senior study author Jane Muncke, managing director and chief scientific officer at the Food Packaging Forum. 'The novel aspect of our analysis is we didn't just collect all the studies, but we also examined the scientific reliability of their methods. We included a critical appraisal step,' Muncke said. 'That left us with seven highly reliable studies — more high-quality research is definitely needed.' According to that research, ultraprocessed foods contain significantly more microplastics than minimally processed foods. 'There's a higher number of manufacturing steps with ultraprocessed foods, which can increase the contact time with plastic food processing equipment,' Muncke said, 'thus increasing the chance of micro- and nanoplastic migration.' Migration into food also increased when the plastic packaging was heated, washed for reuse, exposed to sunlight and subjected to mechanical stress — such as the twist used to open a bottle cap, according to the review. That sort of repeated stress could lead to higher abrasion than opening a plastic container, so future research should consider how plastic is used as well as the types of plastics, Muncke said. 'This is a rigorous, detailed and critical study that applies robust systematic methods to review the existing literature on microplastics and food contact materials,' said Megan Deeney, a research fellow and doctoral student in plastics and global health at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine at the University of London, in an email. 'What is particularly important is that the authors take the time to extract and evaluate evidence on whether the presence of microplastics changed over time in these studies — this can help to identify the food contact material itself as a direct source of food contamination by microplastics,' said Deeney, who was not involved with the new research. One of the studies included in the new review found 1 liter of water — the equivalent of two standard-size bottled waters bought at the store — contained an average of 240,000 plastic particles from seven types of plastics, of which 90% were identified as nanoplastics and the rest were microplastics. Another example involved melamine, which is used to make bowls, plates, cups and other plastic tableware. 'In one study, researchers washed a melamine bowl 10 times, 20 times, 50 times, 100 times and measured the amount of microplastic it released each time,' Zimmermann said. 'Then they put something in the bowl and tested it and found more microplastic release after increased washing.' While it's not yet possible to clean microplastics from the food supply, there are steps one can take to reduce exposure to plastics and the chemicals they secrete. 'One is to reduce our plastic footprint by using stainless steel and glass containers, when possible,' said Dr. Leonardo Trasande, director of environmental pediatrics at NYU Langone Health, in an earlier interview with CNN. 'Avoid microwaving food or beverages in plastic, including infant formula and pumped human milk, and don't put plastic in the dishwasher, because the heat can cause chemicals to leach out,' Trasande said. In addition, check the recycling code on the bottom of packaging to find the plastic type, and avoid plastics with recycling code 3, which typically contain phthalates, he added. Bring reusable bags to the grocery store, suggests the Natural Resources Defense Council, a New York City-based environmental advocacy group. Invest in a zippered fabric bag and ask the dry cleaner to return your clothes in that instead of those thin sheets of plastic. Bring a travel mug to the local coffee store for takeout and silverware to the office, cutting back on plastic cups and utensils. However, due to the pervasiveness of microplastics in the environment, 'this is not something that any individual can solve on their own,' Deeney said. 'We need systemic action to reduce plastics production and pollution,' she said via email, encouraging anyone concerned about the issue to send a message to their representatives. 'There's a critical opportunity for individuals to engage with governments to demand strong, ambitious action on plastics in the upcoming final round of negotiations for a Global Plastics Treaty in Geneva this August, where more than 175 countries will convene to determine a legally-binding instrument to end plastics pollution.' Get inspired by a weekly roundup on living well, made simple. Sign up for CNN's Life, But Better newsletter for information and tools designed to improve your well-being.
CNN
4 days ago
- Health
- CNN
Microplastics shed by food packaging are contaminating our food and drink, study finds
Food & health Corporate news PollutionFacebookTweetLink Follow Ripping the plastic wrap from the meat or prepackaged fruit and veggies you purchased at the grocery store may contaminate your food with micro- and nanoplastics, according to new research. Plastic contamination may also occur when you're unwrapping deli meat and cheese, steeping a tea bag in hot water, or opening cartons of milk or orange juice. Glass bottles and jars with a plastic-coated metal closure may also shed microscopic bits of plastic, the study found. In fact, the abrasion from repeatedly opening and closing the caps on glass and plastic bottles can release an untold amount of micro- and nanoplastics into the beverage, said Lisa Zimmermann, lead author of the study published Tuesday in the journal NPJ Science of Food. 'The research shows the number of microplastics increases with each bottle opening, so therefore we can say it's the usage of the food contact article which leads to micro- and nanoplastic release,' said Zimmermann, scientific communication officer at the Food Packaging Forum, a nonprofit foundation based in Zurich, Switzerland, that studies chemicals in food contact materials. Researchers have measured micro- and nanoplastics in such food and drink products as beer, canned fish, rice, mineral water, tea bags, table salts, take-out foods and soft drinks, according to the study. 'This is the first systematic evidence of how normal and intended use of foodstuffs packaged in plastics can be contaminated with micro- and nanoplastics,' Zimmermann said. 'We found food packaging is actually a direct source of the micro- and nanoplastics measured in food.' A separate investigation by the Food Packaging Forum published in September 2024 found more than 3,600 chemicals leach into consumer products during food manufacturing, processing, packaging and storage, ending up in the human body. Seventy-nine of those food-processing chemicals are known to cause cancer, genetic mutations, endocrine and reproductive issues, and other health concerns, according to the September 2024 study. And while scientists have long known about potentially toxic chemicals from plastics leaching into food, 'what's less clear, and deeply concerning, is just how significant food packaging is as a source of exposure to plastic particles and what that means for our health,' said David Andrews, acting chief science officer at the Environmental Working Group, a Washington, DC-based health and environmental advocacy organization, in an email. 'This new study highlights food packaging and processing equipment as potentially significant sources of microplastic contamination in the food we eat, and ultimately in our bodies,' said Andrews, who was not involved with the research. 'This study should raise alarm bells.' CNN reached out to the Plastics Industry Association for comment but did not hear back before publication. Microplastics are polymer fragments that can range from less than 0.2 inch (5 millimeters) down to 1/25,000th of an inch (1 micrometer). Anything smaller is a nanoplastic that must be measured in billionths of a meter. At 1,000th the average width of a human hair, experts say nanoplastics are so teeny they can migrate through the tissues of the digestive tract or lungs into the bloodstream. As the blood circulates, the plastics may distribute potentially harmful synthetic chemicals throughout the body and into cells. A flurry of recent studies have discovered microplastics and nanoplastics in human brain tissue, the testes and the penis, human blood, lung and liver tissues, urine and feces, mother's milk, and the placenta. In the first analysis to illustrate harm to human health, a March 2024 study found people with microplastics or nanoplastics in their carotid artery tissues were twice as likely to have a heart attack or stroke or die from any cause over the next three years than people who had none. The latest research searched thousands of studies to find those that did the best job of identifying and measuring plastics in tested foods before narrowing the list to 103 for the review. Microplastic research is quite new, and studies so far often use different methods of microplastic identification and measurement. The lack of standard protocol can make it difficult to adequately compare findings, said senior study author Jane Muncke, managing director and chief scientific officer at the Food Packaging Forum. 'The novel aspect of our analysis is we didn't just collect all the studies, but we also examined the scientific reliability of their methods. We included a critical appraisal step,' Muncke said. 'That left us with seven highly reliable studies — more high-quality research is definitely needed.' According to that research, ultraprocessed foods contain significantly more microplastics than minimally processed foods. 'There's a higher number of manufacturing steps with ultraprocessed foods, which can increase the contact time with plastic food processing equipment,' Muncke said, 'thus increasing the chance of micro- and nanoplastic migration.' Migration into food also increased when the plastic packaging was heated, washed for reuse, exposed to sunlight and subjected to mechanical stress — such as the twist used to open a bottle cap, according to the review. That sort of repeated stress could lead to higher abrasion than opening a plastic container, so future research should consider how plastic is used as well as the types of plastics, Muncke said. 'This is a rigorous, detailed and critical study that applies robust systematic methods to review the existing literature on microplastics and food contact materials,' said Megan Deeney, a research fellow and doctoral student in plastics and global health at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine at the University of London, in an email. 'What is particularly important is that the authors take the time to extract and evaluate evidence on whether the presence of microplastics changed over time in these studies — this can help to identify the food contact material itself as a direct source of food contamination by microplastics,' said Deeney, who was not involved with the new research. One of the studies included in the new review found 1 liter of water — the equivalent of two standard-size bottled waters bought at the store — contained an average of 240,000 plastic particles from seven types of plastics, of which 90% were identified as nanoplastics and the rest were microplastics. Another example involved melamine, which is used to make bowls, plates, cups and other plastic tableware. 'In one study, researchers washed a melamine bowl 10 times, 20 times, 50 times, 100 times and measured the amount of microplastic it released each time,' Zimmermann said. 'Then they put something in the bowl and tested it and found more microplastic release after increased washing.' While it's not yet possible to clean microplastics from the food supply, there are steps one can take to reduce exposure to plastics and the chemicals they secrete. 'One is to reduce our plastic footprint by using stainless steel and glass containers, when possible,' said Dr. Leonardo Trasande, director of environmental pediatrics at NYU Langone Health, in an earlier interview with CNN. 'Avoid microwaving food or beverages in plastic, including infant formula and pumped human milk, and don't put plastic in the dishwasher, because the heat can cause chemicals to leach out,' Trasande said. In addition, check the recycling code on the bottom of packaging to find the plastic type, and avoid plastics with recycling code 3, which typically contain phthalates, he added. Bring reusable bags to the grocery store, suggests the Natural Resources Defense Council, a New York City-based environmental advocacy group. Invest in a zippered fabric bag and ask the dry cleaner to return your clothes in that instead of those thin sheets of plastic. Bring a travel mug to the local coffee store for takeout and silverware to the office, cutting back on plastic cups and utensils. However, due to the pervasiveness of microplastics in the environment, 'this is not something that any individual can solve on their own,' Deeney said. 'We need systemic action to reduce plastics production and pollution,' she said via email, encouraging anyone concerned about the issue to send a message to their representatives. 'There's a critical opportunity for individuals to engage with governments to demand strong, ambitious action on plastics in the upcoming final round of negotiations for a Global Plastics Treaty in Geneva this August, where more than 175 countries will convene to determine a legally-binding instrument to end plastics pollution.' Get inspired by a weekly roundup on living well, made simple. Sign up for CNN's Life, But Better newsletter for information and tools designed to improve your well-being.
