Scientists told how much microplastic we eat and how to reduce its amount

A recent study by the Medical University of Vienna showedthat an average of five grams of plastic particles enter the human gastrointestinal tract per week. This is roughly equivalent to the weight of a credit card.

Where is the plastic from?

Microplastics are everywhere today - from the most remote depths of the ocean to the smallest tissues of the human lungs. It enters our body from the environment where plastic waste has accumulated for decades.

Since the 1950s alone, humans have produced over 8.3 billion tons of plastic, 79% of which ended up in landfills. Such waste breaks down into micro- and nanoparticles that seep into the soil and water bodies. Ultimately, microplastics between 0.001 and 5mm and nanoplastics smaller than 0.001mm end up in our food chain through seafood or even fruits and vegetables.

Also, these particles enter the body when we drink from plastic bottles: people who daily consume 1.5 to 2 liters of water from such a container, absorb approximately 90,000 microscopic plastic particles annually.

Paradoxically, drinking tap water can bring this number down to 40,000, although this is highly dependent on geographic location and thus water quality.

Another source of these particles are microbeads, which are intentionally used in many health and beauty products - cosmetics, personal care products and more.

A study conducted by the non-governmental organization Plastic Soup Foundation (PSF) found that almost 9 out of 10 leading cosmetic brands contain microplastic particles. These particles enter the body after using the product itself, after sewage and entering the environment.

What are the consequences?

A research team at the Medical University of Vienna said that ingested particles passing through the gastrointestinal tract lead to changes in the composition of the gut microbiome. And this, in turn, can lead to metabolic disorders and related diseases, including obesity, diabetes and chronic liver disease.

Experts note that "such particles can cause local inflammatory reactions and immune responses, and nanoplastics, in particular, can trigger chemical reactions that cause cancer."

What to do?

Scientists have made several recommendations that can reduce the amount of microplastics consumed. Let's highlight the key ones:

• reheat food in porcelain dishes instead of plastic containers;
• ventilate the room more often;
• give up plastic packaging when buying food - even from tea bags;
• drink filtered tap water instead of bottled water;
• If possible, choose clothes made from natural materials instead of synthetics.

The key factor in reducing the consumption of harmful particles is the banal restriction of the use of single-use plastic. It must be abandoned wherever possible.