In a week, the man swallowed the "plastic credit card"

Iklan Billboard 970x250

Free Download Blogger Template High CTR AdSense


In a week, the man swallowed the "plastic credit card"In a week, the man swallowed the "plastic credit card"

Plastic is everywhere. On land, in the sea, in the air, towards our bodies. A study shows that humans swallow about 5 grams of plastic a week. This amount equals the weight of a plastic credit card.

The plastic contamination of the body comes from microplastics.

The family name is a particle smaller than 5 millimeters. Microplastics can enter food, drinks and even air. Around the world, each person swallows about 2,000 microplastic particles a week.

A study conducted by the University of Newcastle, Australia, indicates that these small particles come from various sources. From artificial clothing fibers, microbeads in toothpaste, or large pieces of plastic that break up into smaller pieces when discarded.

The plastic particles will flow into the river until it reaches the ocean. As a result, plastic particles are consumed by marine animals, including fish generally consumed by humans. Eventually, plastic particles will become part of the human food chain.

In addition, microplastics can also be found in a number of foods and beverages consumed daily, such as mineral water, salt, etc.

"It's very clear that microplastics are a global problem, and although a country has tried to" clean up "it does not mean they're protected from microplastics," said researcher Kala Senathirajah.

The study was conducted examining 52 studies that estimate plastic consumption in the world. The research was funded by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) for its latest report.

The study also revealed that, on average, microplastics are ingested in drinking water from bottles or taps. However, several countries noted differences. A 2018 study found that there was twice as much plastic in dispersed water in the United States and India than in tap water in Europe and Indonesia.

Another study found that foods, drinks and air that Americans inhale contain microplastic particles. From 74,000 to 121,000 microplastic particles are inhaled each year. Those who are used to drinking bottled water can add up to 90,000 plastic particles in total each year.

Shellfish are the second largest source of microplastic consumption. An average of 182 microplastics, or about 0.5 grams of seafood, is consumed per person per week.

Microplastics are also detected in the air. The study indicates that inhalation contributes to the consumption of microplastic under certain conditions.

Based on this study, concerns have been expressed about the health risks that the microbouteille has for the Earth's population. However, until now, the most important health impact due to microplastics has not been clearly defined.

"There is enormous uncertainty about the dangers posed by plastics," said Professor Richard Lampitt of the British National Maritime Center, who did not participate in the research.

Lampitt said that plastic is not a very dangerous material. "But it's possible that [the plastic] is very dangerous," he added. Further research is needed on the long-term effects of plastic on health.

But if it is true that microplastic has a very dangerous effect on human health, control will be very difficult.

"We can not just remove the plastic," said Kavita Prakash-Mani, WWF Conservation Director. Therefore, he continued, plastic pollution must be treated upstream to prevent the entry of plastic into nature. Reducing plastic production must be a priority.

Globally, more than 330 million tons of plastic are produced each year. Global plastic production is expected to triple by 2050.

"The treatment of plastics and the goal of reducing production by companies must be at the center of concern," concluded Parkash-Mani.
Baca Juga

Related Posts

Subscribe to get free updates

Post a comment