/nginx/o/2022/09/16/14835198t1h33be.jpg?fit=%2C&ssl=1 "The researchers got astonishing data: People eat at least 900 small pieces of plastic every day")
- The small pieces enter directly into the environment.
- 15-31% of the microplastic waste found in the oceans.
- Main sources: washing of synthetic and textile clothing (represents 35% of primary microplastics).
- Tire wear while driving (28%).
- Specially manufactured and added to cosmetic and hygiene products for a specific purpose, such as exfoliating pearls in face scrubs (2%).
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Secondary microplastics
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- It occurs from the breaking of larger plastic objects such as plastic bags, bottles or fishing nets, ropes.
- It is estimated that around 69-81% of the total amount of microplastic waste in the seas and oceans is made up of secondary microplastics.
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Microplastics in human blood
Since microplastics are so small, we consume them without knowing it. Vethák points out that reports of microplastic contamination in drinking water, milk, food and air are on the rise.
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In fact, a 2021 study estimated that children ingest more than 500 units of microplastic per day, while adults ingest nearly 900. Scientists also note that this is an initial estimate and the actual number could be much higher.
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Although most of the microplastics we consume travel through the human digestive tract and end up in the stool. Even a small amount of tiny microplastics can enter the bloodstream.
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A very small study from 2022 confirmed this, finding evidence of microplastics in human blood. The researchers recognized that this could pose a public health risk.
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Danger
Experts still do not know exactly how dangerous microplastics are for human health. To understand this, more research is needed on how the human body processes and disposes of microplastics.
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Animal studies and studies using human cells have shown that exposure to microplastics can cause inflammation, hormonal disturbances and other adverse health effects.
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Experts warn that there are some key health issues that could be linked to microplastics, such as:
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- Microplastics can absorb toxic materials and carcinogenic chemicals.
- Some studies show that people with inflammatory bowel disease consume more microplastics than others.
- Microplastics can cause infections.
- Microplastic pollution in the sediments of Lake Langstiņa
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