The World Health Organization (WHO) has just released a new report on the results of research on the impact of microplastics on human health.
90% of table salt is contaminated with microplastics
Over the past several decades, the scale of plastic production has grown exponentially and is expected to double by 2025. This means more plastic particles and fibers will be broken down into more Smaller particles, they can be found in water sources, pipes, cups, and even the human body. Many studies even show that bottled water also contains extremely small parts of the polymer plastic used to make bottle caps and shells.
This has raised concerns that we may be poisoned by chemicals used in plastic or by pathogens attached to these microplastics. Even more alarming is that these particles can harm organ systems in the body. The most obvious example is the image of clogged seabirds, fish and other wildlife. internal organs due to plastic waste.
Even in 2018, a study from the State University of New York showed that more than 90% of bottled water in the world – including the most famous brands – contains microplastics in them. There are even cases where the ratio of plastic particles reaches 10,000 pieces/liter of water.
Based on these results, the World Health Organization decided to conduct a study on the safety of bottled water containing plastic. If we put plastic into our bodies, and then that plastic is released into the environment through the excretory system, what has the plastic done to our bodies during that time?
According to the content of the assessment report after the new study published by WHO, although microplastic particles are increasingly found in the country, up to now, there is no evidence that they will cause harm. pose health risks to humans.
However, the UN agency believes that we still need more research to truly understand the reasons for the prevalence of microplastics in the environment, and how they interact when passes through the human body.
Also according to the WHO report, large microplastic particles (usually more than 150 micrometers in size – the diameter of a hair) are the least worrying because they will pass straight through the human body. Smaller particles may pass through the wall of the digestive system and become trapped, but researchers believe they are unlikely to accumulate in sufficient quantities to cause harm. Experts cannot be sure about the effects of nano-sized particles because we do not have enough information about this group of microscopic particles.
In the conclusion, it was stated that: “Based on the limited available evidence, the chemicals and pathogens associated with microplastics in drinking water do not pose a major hazard to human health. Although we do not have enough information to draw firm conclusions about the toxicity of nano-sized particles, there is no reliable evidence that these are a health hazard either. .
Along with that, the study’s authors said that regular monitoring of microplastics in drinking water is not recommended because existing resources should be used for eliminating bacteria and viruses. has high potential to affect health. Currently, over 2 billion people do not have access to untreated drinking water.
“There is no data to date to suggest that microplastics pose a risk to human health, however this does not necessarily mean that they are harmless. Therefore, it is essential to understand how and where microplastics are exposed to understand any health risks that may occur after exposure,” said Alice Horton, a human pollution scientist. created at the British Oceanography Center, said.
Bruce Gordon, one of the authors of this study, added: “Consumers do not need to worry too much yet. With the data we have, we believe this is not a major threat, but we cannot say that in the future we will not need to worry about microplastics. We don’t have any advance warning measures.”
According to him, the best answer to this problem is to cut plastic waste pollution by eliminating single-use plastic products and promoting recycling and other alternatives.
And Dr. Andrew Mayes, senior lecturer in chemistry at the University of East Anglia in the UK, said the WHO report could be a lifeline for those concerned about the levels of microplastics in their water sources. ta. “The report also highlights that, while the health risks of microplastics in water may be low, there is still a need to continue to reduce plastics in the environment, to prevent the problem from getting worse… This can be done through better waste management and implementation of incentive programs and the government should prioritize such actions in its global strategy to reduce the amount of plastic in the country,” Mr. Mayes said.
Microplastics in our drinking water mainly originate from rain or snow water, domestic and industrial wastewater. Plastic bottles and cans can also be a source of micronutrients in drinking water, the report added.
WHO scientists say that treatment can remove more than 90% of microplastics from wastewater. It is important to address other important health issues, such as treating and filtering water containing bacteria.
It is estimated that about 2 billion people drink contaminated water globally. In 2016, 485,000 diarrhea-related deaths were attributed to drinking water contaminated with bacteria.
CNN/The Guardian (August 23, 2019)
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