Aleanna Abreu, Frankie Gonzalez, Gabriela Palaguachi

City College of New York

ENGL 21003: Writing for the Sciences

Professor Voisard

March 26th, 2024

Abstract

This research is aimed to examine the extent to which there are health impacts on the prevalence of microplastics in foods and drinks consumed. Our analysis focused on three categories: seafood, ultra-processed food, and beverages, as these are the most common areas containing microplastics and are likely sources of contamination. The studies found that microplastics in food and drinks cause several detriments to the human body, such as metabolic disorders and harm to the gastrointestinal tract. Overall, it was determined that microplastics cause hindering consequences for health, yet they are not adequately addressed despite their prevalence in many modern foods. However, it is essential to note that further research is still needed to understand the effects on human health fully.

Introduction  

Each year, around 350 million tonnes of plastic is produced globally, according to Our World in Data (2018). Over the years, the use of plastics and their pollution has increased, causing massive effects on our ecosystem. These plastics are made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate, and high-density polyethylene (Marulanda et al., 2012), which causes them to last for centuries. The makeup of the plastic contributes to landfill pollution and overflow since it takes a single water bottle about 450 years or more to decompose (Hossain & Tuha, 2020). However, as these plastics break down, they produce small fragments called microplastics that never fully decompose, releasing toxins as they degrade, posing a risk to the environment and individual health. This issue of microplastics is a critical concern as they are now part of our food and beverages, which is why a comprehensive understanding is needed. This literature review will discuss the relationship between the microplastics in food and beverages and their impact on our health.

Microplastics in Beverages 

Microplastic contamination in food and beverages has grown over the past few years and has led to the question of the impact of these particles. Recent literature has highlighted the growing concern of microplastics in our food, including daily beverages such as water, coffee, and other common drinks. These beverages are mainly composed of water sourced from groundwater, surface water, and public water networks and are filled with plastic pollution that contains microplastic and leak chemicals (Shruti et al., 2020). Additionally, manufacturing companies of these various beverages add voluntary additives to these beverages that could also impact human health (Campanale et al., 2020). These practices lend to the need for further research into the multiple factors that contribute to health risks, with the understanding that microplastics have been identified as a potential long-lasting threat to human health and can pose a more significant risk. 

A particular study in Mexico highlights the extent to which microplastics are found in some of their beverages. The study examined various types of beverages purchased from the same market but of different brands and found that, on average, the beer samples contained 152 particles of microplastic in the beer samples, the highest rate analyzed, while cold tea, on average, had 11 particles of microplastics (Shruti et al., 2020). These findings are concerning because Mexico is ranked 6th for beer consumption and third for soft drink consumption worldwide, with high levels of microplastics in its beverages. This implies that the individuals buying these drinks are consuming and being exposed to the amount of particles every time they drink prevalent drinks. As adults, consuming these particles of microplastics over our lifetime can impact our health as we rely on beverages daily, as evidenced by research that has shown that less than ten micrometers of microplastics can enter our intestines, circulatory, and lymphatic systems and eventually reach our vital organs (Joseph et al., 2023). Having microplastics found in these systems is extremely dangerous because they can cause physical, chemical, toxicity, and tissue damage in those areas as the particles accumulate (Vethaak & Legler, 2021), which leads to long-lasting detrimental effects on those systems.

Not only are adults affected by the consumption of microplastics, but infants are also being exposed to microplastics. Studies have shown that using plastic bottles when preparing formula in hot water can harm infants. Specifically, it is said that the infant might be swallowing one million microplastic particles each day by drinking their formula made this way in plastic bottles (Lim, 2021). Due to their underdeveloped system, infants are more vulnerable to the effects of microplastics. In a study on mice, they tested the risk of consumption of microplastics among those exposed to polyethylene terephthalate and other compounds made of plastic in pregnant mice. They found that the same vital organs as humans were affected with a longer exposure time than adults (Amran et al., 2022). These findings highlight the importance of being aware of some of the potential risks of microplastics in our everyday lives, as they can impact the health of the next generation. However, further research is needed to understand the long-term effects on our health, specifically in infants, as physiological, neurological, and developmental impacts can occur to these infants because of excessive microplastic consumption that is greater than them themselves. Understanding the full effects of microplastics to mitigate the health complications associated with their consumption is crucial.

Microplastics Found in Seafood

The consumption of seafood stands out as a primary avenue of exposure, among other methods such as the consumption of beverages, that allow for microplastics to enter the food chain, which poses a serious risk to both human health and marine life. When a human consumes seafood contaminated with microplastics it poses several potential health risks such as physically damaging the digestive tract, causing inflammation, lesions, and other gastrointestinal complications. The article, From oceans to Dinner Plates: The impact of Microplastics on human health show that microplastic particles can accumulate in the gastrointestinal tract and obstruct the passage of nutrients, leading to malnutrition and other digestive disorders. In addition, microplastics may potentially build up in the body over time and have long-term negative effects on health (Emenike, 2023). Specifically, there have been reports linking microplastic exposure to adverse effects on male fertility and sperm quality, potentially posing a threat to successful conception (Emenike, 2023). Humans are exposed to various health risks when it comes to consuming food that has been exposed to microplastics as it can impact our digestive, and reproductive systems that can not be cured. 

The presence of microplastics has been found in a range of various seafood products, such as fish, shellfish, and crustaceans. Recent research has suggested that seafood has been subject to greater scrutiny regarding human consumption of microplastics (Desrochers, 2024), showing that seafood products contain more microplastics than any other protein sources. This can be due to the many methods by which microplastics are in the marine environment, such as microbead pollution, synthetic fiber shedding, and the breakdown of plastic trash. These microplastics are subsequently consumed by marine life, where they absorb into their tissues and eventually find their way onto our plates. A study states that 49% of 150 fish of three different species were found to have microplastics, of which 32% were found in the fish muscles (Barboza et al., 2020). Based on this and the recommended consumption of fish, they were able to estimate that Americans and Europeans potentially consume 518 to 3078 microplastics per year (Blackburn & Green, 2021), showing that many individuals are not aware of the impact that microplastics have on their food, as it is embedded in our seafood and there is no way to prevent them from entering our bodies as we consume them. 

Furthermore, Microplastics in Seafood and the Implications for Human Health state human activity has led to microplastic contamination throughout the marine environment (Smith, 2018). Since there is a constantly growing problem in society in keeping our oceans clean, plastic pollution has led many species of wildlife, including fish and shellfish, to consume these plastics and microplastics, which are shown to be physically and chemically toxic to marine life (Smith, 2018). This emphasizes the complicated nature of the issue by noting the connections between pollution and the impact on animals in the aquatic ecosystem as a result of the existence of microplastics. 

Microplastics in Processed and Ultra-Processed Foods

In addition to microplastic consumption through seafood and in beverages, processed and ultra-processed foods can also serve as agents of microplastic ingestion. Looking into processed foods primarily, a study examined the prevalence of polymers from microplastics found in processed products such as honey, packaged meat, and salt, and even bottled water and canned fish were also examined in this study. Upon analysis of types of microplastics found in the factory-processed products used, packaged meat and honey were statistically significant in showcasing a lower hazard level in microplastics (Lin, et al., 2022). This comparison is substantial as it demonstrates how processed foods can serve as lower risks of ingestible microplastics when used in the common household. However, it is important to note how these products still did showcase a hazard above zero, making it important to assess potential implications of compounds ingested through microplastics. A peer-reviewed article from the Journal of Comprehensive Reviews of Food Science and Food Safety spoke on one of these human health implications of certain compounds derived from microplastics. This review assessed the hazard index of chemical intake found in microplastics such as phthalate and styrene. It was determined that variants of phthalate showcased a hazard index greater than the optimal safety level of consumption (Bang, et al., 2012). This greater index level continues to reinforce the risk provided as chemicals considered hazardous are certainly not ideal for consumption. 

Despite the evident risk factors from these compounds, the ability of ultra-processed food to consistently provide chemicals like phthalate to the human body indicates potential for significant health risks. This is due to phthalates being  endocrine-disrupting chemicals, chemicals capable of impairing normal hormonal activity. As a result, phthalate consumption hinders the efficacy of certain bodily functions, causing issues such as asthma, increased infertility in women, as well as cancer due to the impairment of proper regulation of protein synthesis (Dutta, 2020). For phthalate to result in these immense, long-term health obstacles, is crucial in understanding the consequences of microplastic consumption as this implies accumulation of microplastic ingestion over several years is highly likely to compromise millions of individuals’ health. Applying this accumulation to the American diet, certain populations such as pregnant women, would be bound to experience different health outcomes compared to other countries due to the frequent production and advertisement of ultra-processed foods in comparison to minimally processed foods, such as a greater prevalence of pre-packaged snacks. Aside from microplastic compounds, it is important to also note how the consumption of ultra-processed food alone contributes toward the growing cases of metabolic disorders in the US, such as diabetes. Hence, the diet frequently seen in our country only exacerbates the health implications pulled in alongside the microplastic prevalence. 

Conclusion 

Therefore, microplastics in our food and beverages cause a serious risk to both human health and the ecosystem. The build-up of plastic pollution highlights the pressing need for an all-encompassing effort to lessen its negative impacts, especially in processed foods, seafood, and beverages. Studies have shown that various food products contain worryingly high amounts of microplastic contamination, pointing to a systemic problem that must be addressed immediately. When seafood is consumed and it’s contaminated with microplastics it can result in a negative impact on human health and over time can affect tissue damage, oxidative stress, inflammation, and possible long-term effects on fertility and reproductive health. Adding on, drinks and processed meals pass through which microplastics can enter the body and expose people to dangerous substances like phthalates, which interfere with hormone function and worsen digestive problems. Furthermore, as newborns are especially prone to microplastic exposure, strict laws and consumer education on the use of plastic bottles in baby feeding practices are imperative. 

Despite the notable harm from microplastic, it is crucial to acknowledge microplastic production through the economic and social lens for a complete conclusion. Looking into bottles and ultra-processed foods throughout the country, these both serve the benefit of providing accessible, and often financially favorable, products, such as fast-food or a large water supply, to an immense number of families and individuals.  Despite the greater number of families fed, however, this does not undersell the point of health disorders induced through microplastic consumption of these same products due to the long-term consequences that can be experienced. Hence, interactions that exist between ultra-processed foods, the marine ecosystems, and human health highlight the urgency for multidisciplinary cooperation and international initiatives to find effective solutions for the microplastics we consume each day. 

References

1. Amran, N. H., Zaid, S. S. M., Mokhtar, M. H., Manaf, L. A., & Othman, S. (2022). Exposure to Microplastics during Early Developmental Stage: Review of Current Evidence. Toxics, 10(10), 597. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10100597
2. Barboza, L.G.A., C. Lopes, P. Oliveira, F. Bessa, V. Otero, B. Henriques, J. Raimundo, M. Caetano, et al. 2020. Microplastics in wild fish from North East Atlantic ocean and its potential for causing neurotoxic effects, lipid oxidative damage, and human health risks associated with ingestion exposure. Science of the Total Environment 717: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134625.
3. Blackburn, K., & Green, D. S. (2021). The potential effects of microplastics on human health: What is known and what is unknown. AMBIO: A Journal of the Human Environment, 51(3), 518–530. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-021-01589-9
4. Campanale, C., Massarelli, C., Savino, I., Locaputo, V., & Uricchio, V. F. (2020). A detailed review study on potential effects of microplastics and additives of Concern on human health. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(4), 1212. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17041212
5. Desrochers, E. (2024). Research finds microplastics almost equally present in all protein types, including seafood. SeafoodSource. https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/environment-sustainability/research-finds-microplastics-are-almost-equally-present-in-all-protein-types-not-just-seafood#:~:text=The%20study%2C%20published%20in%20December,%2C%20and%20plant%2Dbased%20proteins
6. Dutta, S., Haggerty, D. K., Rappolee, D. A., & Ruden, D. M. (2020). Phthalate Exposure and Long-Term Epigenomic Consequences: A Review. Frontiers in Genetics, 11, 405-. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2020.00405
7. D.Y. Bang, M. Kyung, M.J. Kim, et al.  Human risk assessment of endocrine-disrupting chemicals derived from plastic food containers.  Compr. Rev. Food Sci. Food Saf., 11 (5) (2012), pp. 453-470
8. Emenike, E. C., Okorie, C. J., Ojeyemi, T., Egbemhenghe, A., Iwuozor, K. O., Saliu, O. D., Okoro, H. K., & Adeniyi, A. G. (2023). From oceans to dinner plates: The impact of microplastics on human health. Heliyon, 9(10), e20440. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20440
9. Hossain, M. I., & Tuha, A. S. M. (2020). Biodegradable Plastic Production from Daily Household Waste Materials and Comparison the Decomposing Time with Synthetic Polyethylene Plastic. International Journal of Advancement in Life Sciences Research, 3(3), 16–19. https://doi.org/10.31632/ijalsr.20.v03i03.002
10. Joseph, A., Parveen, N., Ranjan, V. P., & Goel, S. (2023). Drinking hot beverages from paper cups: Lifetime intake of microplastics. Chemosphere, 317, 137844. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.137844
11. Lim, X. (2021). Microplastics are everywhere — but are they harmful? Nature, 593(7857), 22–25. https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-021-01143-3
12. Lin, Q., Zhao, S., Pang, L., Sun, C., Chen, L., & Li, F. (2022). Potential risk of microplastics in processed foods: Preliminary risk assessment concerning polymer types, abundance, and human exposure of microplastics. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 247, 114260–114260. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.114260
13. Marulanda, D., Pérez, M. A., & Correa, L. A. (2012). Influence of the percentage of recycled material on the mechanical properties of low-density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polyvinyl chloride. Journal of Elastomers and Plastics, 46(4), 355–367. https://doi.org/10.1177/0095244312469125
14. Ritchie, H. (2023) – “How much plastic waste ends up in the ocean?” Published online at OurWorldInData.org. Retrieved from: ‘https://ourworldindata.org/how-much-plastic-waste-ends-up-in-the-ocean’ [Online Resource]
15.  Shruti, V., Pérez-Guevara, F., Elizalde, I., & Kutralam-Muniasamy, G. (2020). First study of its kind on the microplastic contamination of soft drinks, cold tea and energy drinks – Future research and environmental considerations. Science of the Total Environment, 726, 138580. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138580
16. Smith, M., Love, D. C., Rochman, C. M., & Neff, R. A. (2018). Microplastics in seafood and the implications for human health. Current Environmental Health Reports, 5(3), 375–386. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-018-0206-z
17. Vethaak, A., & Legler, J. (2021). Microplastics and human health. Science, 371(6530), 672–674. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abe5041

Literature review self-reflection: This assignment was based on my and my peers’ PSA project. We decided to focus on the topic of microplastics and the harm they can create to humans, sea animals, and the environment. Our objective was to raise awareness about the pervasive issue of microplastic pollution and its far-reaching impacts. We divided the assignment into three parts, with each of us focusing on a specific aspect of microplastic contamination: microplastics in beverages, microplastics found in seafood, and microplastics in processed and ultra-processed foods. I was responsible for researching microplastics found in seafood. This aspect of the project was particularly compelling as it highlighted the direct pathway through which microplastics enter the human food chain. Through my research, I found substantial textual evidence supporting the claim of how harmful microplastics in seafood can be to both the ocean ecosystem and human health. This assignment was a significant learning experience that combined research, critical thinking, and group skills. It highlighted the serious issue of microplastic pollution and its implications for both environmental and human health.