Microplastics refer to small plastics less than 5mm in size. It has been known that when they are broken down to the nanometer scale and absorbed by cells, they can be toxic. Although the harmful effects on the human body have not been fully revealed, it is better to be cautious. What should we be most careful about to prevent the accumulation of microplastics in the body?

 

Smokers should quit smoking first. This is because they can inhale microplastics through cigarette filters. A single cigarette filter is made up of approximately 12,000 synthetic fibers called 'cellulose acetate.' Although it is intended to filter nicotine and tar, it also releases microplastics. Furthermore, cigarette butts containing cellulose acetate take up to 14 years to decompose. Quitting smoking is better for the environment.

It is not advisable to drink bottled water in plastic containers when the expiration date is near. Bottled water may contain microplastics. Last year, a joint research team from Norway University of Science and Technology and Nankai University in China announced that an average of 166 million nanoplastics were detected in 1mL of bottled water samples. Over time, the amount of microplastics in bottled water can increase as the bottles age. A study from the University of British Columbia in Canada found that people who only drink water from plastic bottles consume about 90,000 more microplastics annually. It was also confirmed that people who only drink tap water consume about 4,000 more microplastics.

 

Even if you like seafood, it is better to avoid cephalopods such as octopus, octopus, squid, and shellfish, as well as crustaceans like crabs and shrimp. These creatures filter small prey from the sand and also ingest microplastics. According to a meta-analysis of over 50 studies on microplastic pollution levels conducted by a research team at Hull York Medical School in the UK from 2014 to 2020, the microplastic content was highest in squid, mussels, and oysters, ranging from 0 to 10.5 MPs/g. Crustaceans contained between 0.1 and 8.6 MPs/g, while fish had between 0 and 2.9 MPs/g.

 

 

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Recently, it was reported that microplastics in bottled water can affect blood pressure.

It was an issue... It's a continuous story about microplastics.

 

Among the cephalopods, it is said that they are more abundant in squid, mussels, and oysters.

They are delicious things... but eating is gradually becoming difficult.

 

People who drink bottled water should also check the expiration date.