A startling revelation has emerged from recent research - on average, every person swallows two polythene bags a year through microplastics. These minuscule plastic particles have permeated our lives and pose significant health risks, especially for pregnant women and their male offspring.
Plastic is omnipresent in our modern world, but its overuse is pushing us closer to a crisis. A study conducted by the University of Portsmouth in Britain compared two types of food items – one stored in plastic packaging and the other without. The results were alarming. Food wrapped in plastic contained approximately 230,000 microplastic particles, while the non-plastic packaging had around 50,000. This means that every person is unknowingly consuming around 10 grams of microplastics every day.
Image used for representational purposes only.
Microplastics, those tiny plastic particles that can infiltrate our bodies, are a cause for concern. They can enter the human body through various means and accumulate over time. On average, individuals swallow between 11,845 to 193,200 microplastic particles every year, which equates to a weight ranging from 7 to 287 grams, depending on their exposure to plastics.
So, what makes these microplastics so hazardous? Plastic containers, commonly used for food storage, are often made of polycarbonate plastic, which includes an industrial chemical called Bisphenol A (BPA) to enhance flexibility. Research from India's Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) reveals that exposure to BPA during pregnancy can have detrimental effects on the fertility of male offspring.
This study was conducted on rats. Pregnant rats were divided into two groups, with one group exposed to BPA chemicals for four to 21 days during pregnancy, while the other group was kept away from it. The research found that fatty acids began to accumulate in rats living near BPA. These fatty acids were found to damage the membrane essential for sperm growth, suggesting a potential impact on male fertility.
The implications of BPA are far-reaching as this chemical can affect hormones and has been linked to cancer and infertility. The research underscores the previously unknown risks of plastic impacting health even before birth.
The NIN's research advises that everyone, especially pregnant women, should steer clear of plastic containers. Prolonged storage in these containers, particularly in hot conditions or when using a microwave, increases the risk of BPA chemicals leaching into the food.
Image used for representational purposes only.
Dr. Sanjay Basak, the lead researcher at the National Institute of Nutrition, emphasises the importance of distinguishing between different types of plastic in our kitchens. While one-time-use plastics like disposable water bottles and packaging are widely known as problematic, there is a misconception that food-grade or BPA-free plastics are safe.