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A new study found that every year, humans inadvertently consume up to 121,000 microplastics, which are tiny plastic fragments that disintegrate from bigger plastic products over time.
Researchers from the University of Victoria were the first to calculate the average person’s microplastic intake. Their objective was to get an estimated amount of plastic present in the human body and establish its impact on one’s health.
To achieve this goal, the researchers examined 26 reports on the amount of microplastic contamination in seafood, alcohol, and commonly consumed food like added sugar and salt. They then used the 2015 to 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans to determine how much of these foods were consumed yearly. Additionally, the researchers studied the amount of microplastic in the air and water.
Results showed that humans ingest 74,000 to 121,000 microplastics annually. Also, individuals who drink solely from bottled water consume an additional 90,000 particles a year compared to those who drink only tap water.
According to the study, some of the factors affecting a person’s microplastic consumption are gender, age, diet, and area of living.
Although they identified the amount of microplastic that humans ingest, the researchers were unable to pinpoint the impact of these particles in the body. They admitted that the data used in the study was limited to only a small test group. They also said that the current findings are underestimates.
However, the researchers warned that the immune system can possibly react to microplastics in the body. To further investigate, the research team is preparing for follow-up studies that focus on determining the health effects of consuming microplastics.