Latest news with #nanoplastics
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.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Microplastics Have a Concerning Effect on The Microbes in Our Gut
We know microplastics are finding their way deep into our bodies, such is their ubiquity in the world around us, but we're still figuring out the possible health impacts. Those impacts may well include damage to gut integrity and harmful changes in gut bacteria, according to a new study. The study was led by researchers from the National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan, who fed mice polystyrene nanoplastics for 12 weeks. Nanoplastics are the smallest type of microplastic, and in these experiments the fragments were just 100 nanometers in size, thousands of times smaller than the width of a human hair. Careful analysis of the animals revealed subsequent changes to protein production, gene activity, bacteria levels, and the microRNA coding inside cells. For example, two proteins that normally keep the gut sealed and protected became less abundant. The beneficial bacteria Lactobacillus decreased, the potentially harmful bacteria Ruminococcaceae increased, and a bacteria called Lachnospiraceae actually ate some of the nanoplastics. Doing so changed the way the bacteria secreted tiny packages called extracellular vesicles, which in turn inhibited the production of intestinal mucus. "This study is the first to show that plastic particles can interfere with the microRNA carried by extracellular vesicles between mouse intestinal cells and specific gut microbes, disrupting host–microbe communication and altering microbial composition in ways that may harm the gut health of mice," says microbiologist Wei-Hsuan Hsu, from the National Cheng Kung University. For those of us who aren't biologists, these changes can be hard to interpret in a simple way, but overall the integrity and health of the guts of the mice took a turn for the worse. It's likely that the risk of related health complications would go up as a result. In this study, the mechanisms behind how nanoplastics affect the gut are just as important as the effects themselves, and will now point researchers towards new approaches for understanding how microplastics might alter our bodies on a fundamental level. "The research identifies a molecular mechanism by which plastic particles disturb gut microbiota," says Hsu. It's important to add some context to this study. Mice are useful substitutes for humans in research, but they're obviously not an exact match, so we need to see if similar gut changes come about in people. What's more, the mice were fed nanoplastics at a much higher level than humans would usually be exposed to. It's not clear if we are ingesting anywhere near enough plastic to trigger the changes shown in this study. Even with those limitations in mind, though, the research raises some real concerns over microplastics and health. More data is needed on our exposure to these tiny plastic fragments, and the subsequent effects. "Given the current limitations in nanoplastic detection technologies and the uncertainties associated with extrapolating animal model results to humans, continued research is critical to accurately evaluate the potential long-term health effects of nanoplastics in humans," says immunologist Yueh-Hsia Luo, from the National Central University in Taiwan, who wasn't involved in the study. The research has been published in Nature Communications. Something in Your Poop May Predict an Imminent Death Long-Term Contraceptive Pill Use Linked With Brain Tumor Risk Just One Night of Poor Sleep Can Change How Your Brain Sees Food
Health Line
21-05-2025
- Health
- Health Line
Microplastics and Nanoplastics: Differences, Sources, and Health Impacts
Plastic breaks down into tiny micro- and nanoparticles that may potentially impact the reproductive and digestive systems and raise your risk of cancer. But these are just early findings based on low levels of evidence. With an increase in research about the impact of plastics on our health and the environment, you might have come across the terms 'nanoplastics' and 'microplastics.' Here's how the two terms are defined, and what they mean for your health. Differences between microplastics and nanoplastics One way to distinguish between microplastics and nanoplastics is by size, which their prefixes point to. 'Micro-' denotes a size of one millionth, and 'nano-' denotes a size of one billionth. Simply put, this means that nanoplastics are smaller than microplastics. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Microplastics are typically considered to be less than 5 millimeters in size in at least one dimension. Nanoplastics are typically considered to be less than 1 micrometer in size in at least one dimension. But the FDA doesn't have standard definitions for the sizes of these plastics. These descriptions are used for reference purposes only. Where do microplastics and nanoplastics come from? Both micro- and nanoplastics come from a human-made material — plastic. Plastic is a major or partial component of many household products or items used daily, such as: appliances toys tools storage containers tires clothing You'll know something is made from plastic if it has a label that contains: polystyrene (styrofoam) polyethylene nylon polytetrafluoroethylene (teflon) polyvinyl chloride polypropylene polyester You may also notice a recycling symbol or a small triangle with a number between 1 and 7 inside, which denotes the type of plastic the item is made from. Because most plastics don't break down in the environment (biodegrade) like paper, cotton, and other plant-based materials, they break down into smaller micro- and nanoparticles. These microplastics and nanoplastics may contaminate soil and water if improperly disposed of, and if adequate safety precautions are not taken to minimize their contamination in the food and water supply. They may also be present in the air and absorbed through some personal care products. What are the potential health impacts of microplastics and nanoplastics? The FDA suggests that, based on available research as of 2024, the levels of microplastics and nanoplastics in foods and the environment are not enough to pose a risk to human health. As 2020 research suggests, the knowledge on levels of exposure from ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact is limited, and more long-term studies in humans are needed. But a 2021 research review found that microplastics and nanoplastics may impact the immune, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and hepatic (liver-related) systems. A more recent review ' suspects ' potential links to harm in human reproductive and digestive systems, as well as a link to colon and lung cancer. Other research suggests that micro- and nanoplastics may accumulate in fish brains and human semen and be released upon chewing gum and steeping nylon or polyethylene terephthalate teabags. Some current theories propose that once in your cells, micro- and nanoplastics may disrupt or change their functioning by causing: Still, the level of evidence for these findings is low Regardless of what recent studies have found, most state that the effects likely depend on the size, type, and amount of plastic ingested, inhaled, or absorbed, which is difficult to measure. Experts are calling for more research, because how microplastics and nanoplastics may affect body systems is still not well understood. Should you be worried about consuming plastic? Plastic is a major component of today's manufacturing processes and won't likely be going away anytime soon. Most published studies can only prove an association, not causation, between microplastics and nanoplastics and health impacts. Experts are calling for more research before reaching any firm conclusions. However, you can still find ways to minimize your exposure, such as: choosing clothing that's made from natural materials, such as cotton, linen, silk, or wool limiting your use of plastic storage containers, especially for food, and opting for glass or other alternatives instead filtering water, especially if it's from the tap
