Hello friends. Hope you all are well. Today I am going to telling something about microplastic. Microplastics (plastic particles smaller than 5 millimeters) are not only damaging the environment, they are also entering our bodies through our food, water, and even toothpaste, posing serious health risks. Recently Bangladeshi newspapers published news that sone toothpaste and edible oil our contaminated by microplastics. Past studies found the presence of microplastics in human blood and breast milk also. Some important bad effects of microplastics are describing below below.
Image source : online news portal Daka Mail, image caption translated by AI.
News link:
https://share.google/kgfs5R232j1vhfasm
Brain damage and dementia: Microplastics can cross our body’s ‘blood-brain barrier’ (the protective shield of the brain) and reach brain tissue. This can result in reduced brain function, memory loss, attention deficits, and neurological complications.
Presence in breast milk and risks to children: Unborn children and newborns are at the highest risk. Microplastics in breast milk can impair the physical growth, mental development, and immunity of the newborn.
Cellular inflammation and cancer: Tiny plastic particles mix with the blood and accumulate in the body's organs and cause permanent inflammation. BPA and heavy metals in plastic greatly increase the risk of cancer in the body.
Hormonal imbalance: Microplastics disrupt the endocrine system or hormone production system. As a result, reduced fertility and thyroid problems occur.
Some worrying facts and statistics:
Weekly plastic intake: According to various global studies, a person unintentionally swallows about 5 grams of plastic every week through food and water, which weighs almost the same as a credit card!
Bottled water: According to research, an average of about 240,000 nano and microplastic particles** are floating in 1 liter of plastic bottled water.
Toothpaste and cosmetics: Many toothpastes and face washes use artificial 'microbeads' to brighten teeth or remove dead skin cells, which reach our digestive system directly.
Ways to avoid microplastics in daily life:
Avoid hot food in plastic containers: Never put hot food or tea or coffee in a microwave or normal plastic tiffin box. The heat melts the plastic and mixes it with the food.
Use glass or steel bottles: It is safer to use glass, earthenware or stainless steel bottles instead of plastic water bottles.
Stop drinking tea in plastic cups: Stop drinking tea or coffee in one-time plastic or paper cups (which have a thin plastic coating inside) at the store and use ceramic or glass cups.
Check the ingredients when buying products: When buying toothpaste, face wash or scrub, avoid buying them if the ingredients list says Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP) or Microbeads.
Filtering and boiling food: It is much safer to drink boiled water and quality filtered water than water from plastic bottles.
Reduce plastic processed foods: Avoid packaged, canned foods and processed foods in containers and develop the habit of eating fresh and natural foods. Although it is not possible to completely eliminate plastic overnight, consciously reducing the amount of plastic from household dishes, water bottles and personal items is the first step to protecting our health.
