Wander Thoughts

Tiny plastic fragments that have been ingested by humans are suspected to be a potential cause of the rapidly increasing threat of superbugs.

Research has shown that the accumulation of these tiny plastics – fragments that break away from items including shopping bags and food packaging – has been associated with heart disease, dementia, and various types of cancers.

As these plastics can take approximately five centuries to fully decompose, they leave behind microplastic residues that persist in the environment, traceable across the food chain and even human consumption of drinking water, which consequently accumulate within the human body.

Scientists have found a connection between the rise and spread of drug-resistant infections.

These super-resistant bacteria, which have developed the ability to withstand even the most effective antibiotics, are often believed to have originated from doctors overusing powerful antibiotics.

Environmental experts now think that microplastics are widespread in the environment where bacteria begin their lives, and that this presence is driving mutated, increasingly resistant bacteria leading to drug-resistant infections.

Researchers have found that microplastics significantly accelerate the dispersal of deadly bacteria by an estimated 200 times.

The inability to address these microplastics poses a threat to the lives of millions.

According to the World Health Organisation, approximately ten million people are expected to pass away annually by 2050, primarily due to the rising prevalence of superbugs.

Dr. Timothy Walsh, a renowned microbiologist with over 25 years of experience in the field and author of the study from the University of Oxford, noted: "Considering the absence of a unified global system for managing plastic waste and the rising presence of microplastics in various aspects of human life, these discoveries are truly disconcerting."

'At the individual level, we need to reduce, reuse, and recycle, whereas at the global level, we must establish strong governance policies to manage plastic waste effectively.'

Last year, the UK Government released a plan to "contain, control and mitigate" the spread of drug-resistant infections. The document, however, does not have a section pertaining to microplastics.

Microplastics have become a global problem that is hard to monitor and record.

Research suggests that tiny particles, derived from the decomposition of plastics, have been associated with cardiovascular problems such as heart attacks, fertility issues, and an increased risk of cancer. Additionally, recent studies indicate that these particles may also lead to lower sperm counts.

A 2019 Canadian study found that humans ingest up to 52,000 plastic particles annually.

Spiked, with searches achieving a record-breaking Google Trends score of 100, according to the German environmental organization CleanHub.

Research conducted at the University of New Mexico has generated international interest, prompting many individuals to seek information about the pathways through which microplastics enter the human body and methods to either minimize or eliminate them.

There are a variety of sources contributing to their presence and alternatives that can help avoid them, beginning in your home's kitchen.

5. **Non-stick cookware seasoning**: Cooking sprays often begin off with freeway silicon chemical which can end up in the environment as microplastic. Rewrite your kitchen with cooking oiles like tie fifth cream incorporate Keeps oil to ha works Much kitchen cookware well without found additional petroleum based elements

5. Chopping boards made of plastic might transfer microplastics onto food.

- a type of plastic polymer - annual production figures, as cited by a study carried out by the American Chemical Society (ACS).

The use of a chopping board could potentially increase the transfer of microplastics to food.

Tempered glass cutting boards are an affordable option that is simple to clean and often free of microplastics.

Some companies also provide chopping boards made from long-lasting paper fibers.

4. Microwave-safe food containers can release microplastics when heated

Heating 'safe' disposable utensils and containers can release large quantities of microplastics into food.

A 2023 study conducted by researchers at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln discovered as many as 4 million microplastics per square centimeter in certain baby foods packaged in microwave-safe plastics.

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Associated with a range of plastics, a paper from The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends.

3. How to Keep Microplastics Out of Ice Cubes

Reusable ice cube trays made of plastic may also pose a risk of contamination.

According to an associate professor who was interviewed by HealthCentral, microwaving aluminum cookware can cause it "to leach into water", a process similar to what happens when heated plastics are leached.

In recent times, a more eco-friendly alternative has gained popularity: stainless steel ice cube trays. These not only elevate the visual appeal of beverages but freeze faster, resulting in quicker crystallization.

Similarly, silicone ice cube trays are marketed as a more sustainable option that many consider a healthier and less cumbersome method for making ice.

Paper cups go through various processes, from harvesting trees to manufacturing, which requires energy and resources. Then, they need to be transported, stored, and eventually collected, all of which requires more energy and cardboard or plastic packaging.

They require a layer of sealant, usually made up to 10 per cent high-density polyethylene (HDPE), to prevent liquid leakage.

Paper cups are problematic due to the need to separate the HDPE layer from the paper, making the process more complicated.

However, there's more to this. Using paper cups for hot beverages can result in the emission of various chemicals, as demonstrated by a 2021 study published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, such as fluoride, chloride, sulfate, and nitrate.

Using a stainless steel flask has dual advantages not only for the environment but also for reducing exposure to microplastics.

1. Tea bags may introduce microplastics into your morning tea.

Made from non-sustainable polypropylene plastic, some paper tea bags even contain plastic residue from the sealant.

contamination.

In 2023, a study conducted by the Dow University of Health Sciences highlighted concerns about the potential for hot water to leach millions of microplastics from tea bags during the brewing process. The research revealed that a single cup of tea could potentially contain up to a staggering 3.1 billion nanoplastics due to the tea bag.

Tea bags can contain other hazardous materials, such as fluorine compounds, arsenic, radium salts, aluminium, copper, lead, mercury, cadmium, barium, and nitrates.

Avoid using abrasive materials, such as aluminium or non-stick pans, as they can chip or damage the tea leaves.

The Plastic Pollution Coalition suggests using cotton tea bags or straining tea over organic linen.

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