Microplastics, which contain “permanent chemicals” in the United States' food and water supplies, are creating a $25 trillion annual health crisis, according to a new study.
Research shows that in 2018 alone, exposure to small plastics (which the Mayo Clinic has linked to heart health, hormonal imbalances, and even cancer) cost the healthcare system $289 billion. That's what it means. Published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society on Thursday.
The team of researchers said they used mathematical modeling in their study to arrive at this huge number, which was previously reported by the Daily Mail.
For reference, health care costs have increased by about $203 billion throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
“Plastics are a significant contributor to disease and related social costs in the United States, accounting for 1.22% of gross domestic product,” the study concludes. “The costs of plastic pollution will continue to accumulate as long as exposure continues at current levels.”
The new study analyzed the effects of four groups of chemicals, including flame retardants, substances used to make plastics more durable, and components of hard plastics and resins.
The study follows another report published earlier this week in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences that found there are an average of 240,000 plastic particles in a 1-liter water bottle. This is 100 times more than the researchers previously thought.
Scientists have identified levels of 'nanoplastics', which are less than 1 micrometer long, or 1/70th the width of a human hair, and microplastics, which are more commonly analyzed and are between 1 and 5,000 micrometers long. tested the level of
But experts say nanoplastics potentially pose a greater health risk because they are small enough to penetrate cells and enter the bloodstream and can affect organs.
It can also cross a pregnant woman's placenta and affect the fetus.
“Investigation into the health effects of nanoplastics is currently in its early stages and more research is needed,” study co-author Beizan Yang, an environmental chemist at Columbia University, told the Post on Tuesday.
As part of their research, Yang and lead author Naixin Qian developed a new microscopy technique to identify nanoplastics. This technology has not previously been advanced enough to confirm the presence of particulates in bottled water.
This new technology was used to test 1 liter water bottles from 25 different brands.
The researchers did not say which brands they tested, but they found between 110,000 and 370,000 tiny plastic pieces per liter, 90% of which were nanoplastics.
by mayo clinicAdult men should drink about 3.7 liters of water per day, while women should aim for 2.7 liters. This amount translates to an individual being exposed to as many as 888,000 or 648,000 plastic particles per day for men and women, respectively, if they choose to consume their water daily. Consume only from water packed in plastic containers.
Contamination from plastic chemicals is not unique to bottled water. Almost 90% of proteins, including vegan alternatives, contain microplastics that have been linked to negative health effects, according to research published Monday in the Journal of Environmental Pollution.
Researchers found that 16 different protein sources, including chicken, beef, seafood, pork, tofu, and three plant-based alternatives, were added to two Portland, Oregon-area supermarkets in April 2022. It was purchased from one grocery store.
According to the product packaging, all samples were manufactured in the United States.
Researchers from the Ocean Conservancy and the University of Toronto found that 88 per cent of samples contained plastic particles, suggesting humans are likely ingesting microplastics regardless of their diet. are doing.
“This is a startling reminder of how pervasive plastic pollution is. Humans live on land, but seafood samples are just as likely to be contaminated with plastic as land-based proteins. Yes,” said study co-author Dr. Britta, a marine biologist. said Bechler, associate director of plastics science at Ocean Conservancy. statement.
“And no matter what you eat, you can't seem to escape them,” Bechler continued. “The plastic pollution crisis affects us all and we need to take action to address its many forms.”
