Each bite of your takeout will damage your brain
The microwave beeps, signaling that the food is ready. In a matter of minutes, yesterday's dinner, chilled takeout, and pre-packaged treats will be piping hot once more. However, it's common knowledge that alongside the tasty meal, there are also countless "microplastics" present.
I.Plastic packaging is visible in all places
Even though we don't consume plastic directly, we are constantly encircled by plastic items. Takeout containers, plastic bags, drink bottles, milk containers, and plastic wrap are frequently used by many individuals on a daily basis. Research indicates that over half of the food packaging in my country is made of plastic.
Plastic items are undeniably convenient to use due to their excellent barrier properties, resistance to water, dust, cold, and heat, and ability to prevent food from being crushed. However, the concern lies in the potential presence of unseen "plastic fragments" in food and the body.
II.Heating for three minutes will generate a large number of billions.
In July 2023, a study was published in the international journal "Environmental Science and Technology" examining the release of microplastics and nanoplastics from plastic containers in various usage scenarios.
The findings indicated that higher temperatures led to an increased presence of plastic particles in food. Specifically, when microwave heating was applied for 3 minutes, a significant quantity of microplastics and nanoplastics were released into the food, with over 2 billion nanoplastics and 4 million microplastics being released per square centimeter of the container.
III.Microplastics have been found in these areas within the body.
The World Wildlife Fund has reported that individuals can consume almost 1,800 microplastic particles per week through drinking water. Additionally, seafood, particularly shellfish, is the second leading source, with an estimated ingestion of around 182 microplastic particles per week.
What shocks more is that microplastics exist in many organs of human body such as brain, placenta, heart, blood, stomach, and lung.
For example, Nanoplastics not only "enter" the brain, they can also interact with protein fibers in neurons, which may increase the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
IV.To minimize microplastics, the following actions must be taken.
In general, typical plastic items will feature a small triangular symbol with a number, usually located on the bottom.
Various numbers indicate various characteristics of plastic items. When used properly, they typically do not pose a risk to health.
For instance, PP (labeled as 5) and PC (labeled as 7) offer superior heat resistance and can withstand high temperatures up to 120°C. They are suitable for holding hot water and can be safely heated in a microwave.
At present, the existing testing and assessment criteria do not encompass microplastics and nanoplastics.
Due to their minuscule size, they can infiltrate and access areas within our bodies where they should not be present.
If they accumulate over an extended period and surpass a specific threshold, they have the potential to inflict differing levels of harm on organs and cells.
To reduce the impact of microplastics and nanoplastics, we can take the following steps:
1. Reduce the use of microwave ovens to heat plastic containers holding food and beverages.
2. Decrease the use of plastic packaging and storage for food, especially hot food.
3. Limit the use of plastic tableware and consider using alternatives such as cloth bags, porcelain bowls, glass, and metal lunch boxes.
4. Avoid discarding used plastic products and ensure proper sorting of garbage.
With the commitment to promote the healthy lifestyle, Torise Biomaterials persist in manufacturing fully biodegradable and compostable plastic packaging applied in our daily life. We have independent R&D center with specialized team to develop all plant based materials and finished products, reducing the carbon footprint and improving the life quality of humankind.
