The Fastest Way to Heat Food and Drinks: A Potential Source of Plastic Pollution
Are you a busy parent relying on your microwave to quickly heat up your baby’s food? Or perhaps you’re someone who frequently uses it to warm your favorite beverages or leftovers? While the microwave offers convenience and speed, new research suggests that this appliance might also be a hidden source of plastic pollution in your diet.
The Startling Findings of a University of Nebraska-Lincoln Study
A recent study conducted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln revealed that microwaving plastic baby food containers can release alarming amounts of plastic particles. The research experiments showed that these containers, commonly found on store shelves across the United States, can emit over 2 billion nanoplastics and 4 million microplastics per square centimeter of container.
Although the health implications of consuming micro- and nanoplastics are still not fully understood, the study further discovered that 75% of cultured embryonic kidney cells died within just two days of exposure to these particles. These findings are in line with a 2022 report from the World Health Organization, which emphasized the need to limit exposure to such plastic particles.
Lead author Kazi Albab Hussain, a doctoral student in civil and environmental engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, highlights the importance of understanding the amount of plastic particles we ingest. Hussain states, “When we eat specific foods, we are usually informed about their nutritional content. Similarly, it is essential to be aware of the presence of plastic particles in our food. Just like calories and nutrients, the extent of plastic particle ingestion plays a crucial role in assessing the potential harm they can cause to our health. Numerous studies, including ours, have demonstrated that the toxicity of micro- and nanoplastics is closely related to the level of exposure.”
Examining the Impact on Baby Food Containers
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln study, initiated in 2021, specifically focused on plastic containers commonly used for storing baby food. While previous research had examined the release of plastic particles from baby bottles, this study shed light on the potential risks associated with other plastic containers and bags used by millions of parents.
Hussain and his colleagues conducted experiments using two types of plastic baby food containers made of polypropylene and a reusable polyethylene bag. Both of these plastics have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. The containers were filled with either deionized water or 3% acetic acid, which simulates acidic dairy products, fruits, vegetables, and other consumables. The filled containers were then heated on full power for three minutes in a 1,000-watt microwave.
Analysis of the liquid contents revealed the presence of microplastics and nanoplastics. Microplastics are particles at least 1/1,000 of a millimeter in diameter, while nanoplastics are even smaller particles.
Unveiling the Disturbing Release of Plastic Particles
The quantity of plastic particles released by the microwave varied depending on factors such as the type of plastic container and the liquid it contained. However, based on a model that considered particle release, body weight, and per capita intake of various foods and beverages, the researchers estimated that infants consuming microwaved water products and young children consuming microwaved dairy products have the highest relative concentrations of plastic in their diets.
Additionally, experiments simulating refrigeration and storage at room temperature over a period of six months also indicated that both scenarios could lead to the release of microplastics and nanoplastics. These findings highlight the persistent nature of plastic pollution in our food and its potential to accumulate over time.
The Impact on Health: A Sobering Reality
Considering the potential health risks associated with micro- and nanoplastics, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln study went a step further. The research team, in collaboration with Svetlana Romanova of the University of Nebraska Medical Center, cultured embryonic kidney cells and exposed them to the actual plastic particles released from the containers. This approach, as far as Hussain knows, was the first of its kind.
Rather than only assessing the number of particles released by a container, the researchers exposed the cells to particle concentrations that infants and young children could accumulate over several days or from multiple sources. Shockingly, after just two days of exposure to high concentrations of plastic particles, only 23% of the kidney cells managed to survive. This mortality rate was considerably higher than that observed in previous studies on the toxicity of microplastics and nanoplastics.
The research team speculates that kidney cells might be more susceptible to particle toxicity than other types of cells examined in previous research. Furthermore, earlier studies predominantly focused on larger polypropylene particles, some of which may be too large to penetrate cells. If the team’s hypotheses are correct, the study led by Hussain presents even more cause for concern. Regardless of the experimental conditions, the researchers discovered that polypropylene containers and polyethylene bags typically release around 1,000 times more nanoplastics than microplastics.
In Search of Solutions: Reducing Plastic Pollution
With the potential health risks associated with micro- and nanoplastics in mind, Hussain emphasizes the need for viable alternatives to plastic containers used for baby food storage. While it may be challenging to completely eliminate plastic usage, making informed decisions can significantly minimize the release of plastic particles in our diets.
Hussain states, “For my baby, I couldn’t completely avoid using plastic. However, I was able to avoid scenarios that caused the most release of micro- and nanoplastics. People deserve to know about the risks associated with plastic containers, and they should choose wisely.”
He believes that manufacturers should proactively seek polymers that release the fewest particles. Hussain envisions a future where products are labeled “microplastic-free” or “nanoplastic-free,” providing consumers with greater assurance of their safety.
Gaining a Deeper Understanding: Uncovering the True Risks
While the University of Nebraska-Lincoln study sheds light on the potential dangers of micro- and nanoplastics, there are still numerous unanswered questions. Researchers need to further investigate various aspects of plastic particle infiltration and their effects on health before fully understanding the risks associated with their consumption.
However, as we await more detailed findings, it is essential to recognize the need for proactive measures to reduce plastic pollution in our food. By spreading awareness and supporting research efforts, we can pave the way towards safer alternatives and minimize the potential harm caused by plastic particles.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln study highlights the concerning reality of plastic pollution originating from microwaving plastic baby food containers. The release of microplastics and nanoplastics during the heating process poses potential health risks, as evidenced by the high mortality rate among kidney cells exposed to these particles. While further research is necessary to fully comprehend the extent of the risks, it is crucial for individuals to make informed choices and seek alternatives to mitigate plastic pollution.
Whether you are a parent relying on baby food containers or someone regularly using plastic containers to heat food and drinks, being aware of the potential risks empowers you to take proactive steps towards a healthier and more sustainable future.
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The fastest way to heat food and drinks could also be classified as the fastest route to ingesting massive amounts of tiny plastic particles, according to new research from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Experiments have shown that microwaving plastic baby food containers available on US store shelves can release large amounts of plastic particles; in some cases, more than 2 billion nanoplastics and 4 million microplastics for every square centimeter of container.
Although the health effects of consuming micro- and nanoplastics remain unclear, the Nebraska team further found that three-quarters of cultured embryonic kidney cells had died within two days of being embedded in those same particles. A 2022 report from the World Health Organization recommended limiting exposure to such particles.
“It’s really important to know how many micro- and nanoplastics we’re absorbing,” said Kazi Albab Hussain, the study’s lead author and a doctoral student in civil and environmental engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. “When we eat specific foods, we are usually informed or have an idea about their caloric content, sugar levels, other nutrients. I think it is equally important that we are aware of the amount of plastic particles in our food.
“Just as we understand the impact of calories and nutrients on our health, knowing the extent of ingestion of plastic particles is crucial to understanding the potential harm they can cause. Many studies, including ours, show that the toxicity of micro- and nanoplastics is highly related to the level of exposure.”
The team embarked on their study in 2021, the same year that Hussain became a father. While previous research had investigated the release of plastic particles from baby bottles, the team noted that no studies had examined the types of plastic containers and bags Hussain bought, and that millions of other parents regularly do as well.
Hussain and his colleagues decided to run experiments with two baby food containers made of polypropylene and a reusable polyethylene bag, both plastics approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. In one experiment, the researchers filled the containers with either deionized water or 3% acetic acid (the latter intended to simulate relatively acidic dairy products, fruits, vegetables, and other consumables) and then heated them on full power for three minutes in a 1,000-watt microwave. They then analyzed the liquids for evidence of micro and nanoplastics: micro are particles at least 1/1,000 of a millimeter in diameter, nano are smaller particles.
The actual number of each particle released by the microwave depended on multiple factors, including the plastic container and the liquid it contained. But based on a model that accounted for particle release, body weight and per capita intake of various foods and beverages, the team estimated that infants drinking microwaved water products and young children consuming microwaved dairy products are ingesting the highest relative concentrations of plastic. Experiments designed to simulate the refrigeration and storage at room temperature of food or beverages over a period of six months also suggested that both could lead to the release of microplastics and nanoplastics.
“For my baby, I couldn’t completely avoid using plastic,” Hussain said. “But I was able to avoid those (scenarios) that caused more release of micro- and nanoplastics. People deserve to know about them too, and they should choose wisely.”
With the help of Svetlana Romanova of the University of Nebraska Medical Center, the team then cultured and exposed embryonic kidney cells to the actual plastic particles released from the containers—for the first time, as far as Hussain can tell. Instead of entering just the number of particles released by a container, the researchers exposed cells to concentrations of particles that infants and young children could accumulate over days or from multiple sources.
After two days, only 23% of kidney cells exposed to the highest concentrations managed to survive, a much higher mortality rate than seen in previous studies of microplastic and nanoplastic toxicity. The team suspects that kidney cells might be more susceptible to particles than other cell types examined in previous research. But those earlier studies also tended to examine the effects of larger polypropylene particles, some potentially too large to penetrate cells. If so, the study led by Hussain could prove especially sobering: Regardless of their experimental conditions, Husker’s team found that polypropylene containers and polyethylene bags typically release around 1,000 times more nanoplastics than microplastics.
The question of cell infiltration is just one among many that will require answers, Hussain said, before the true risks of consuming micro- and nanoplastics are determined. But to the extent that they pose a health threat, and as plastics continue to be an option for baby food storage, parents would have a vested interest in seeing companies that make plastic containers look for viable alternatives, he said.
“We need to find the polymers that release the least (particles),” Hussain said. “Probably, researchers will be able to develop plastics that do not release micro- or nanoplastics, or if they do, the release would be negligible.
“I hope there will come a day when these products will display labels that say ‘microplastic free’ or ‘nanoplastic free’.”
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