2024-10-03 12:32:44
Microplastics even in the soup, or rather, to be more precise, even in the mussels. A the research studied the presence of microplastics in bivalves cultivated in Catalonia and determined the levels of these particles in mussels, curly oysters and coquinas.
The so-called microplastics are those particles with a size between one thousandth of a millimeter and half a centimeterformed from polymers, generally synthesized from petroleum products.
Son pollutants resulting from human actionpresent in almost all ecosystems in the world. Since their size and shape are very heterogeneous, they have the ability to enter in the food chain.
Several studies have detected their presence in products intended for human consumption and oral exposure to these particles through diet in humans has been confirmed. Faced with this situation, the ever conservative European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) considers microplastics”a possible food safety problem”, placing particular emphasis on seafood.
Microplastics from clothes
The researchers of Center for Environmental, Food and Toxic Technologies (TecnATox) of the Rovira University i Virgili have experience studying the presence of microplastics in bivalves raised in Catalonia. In this new research, they determined the impact of debugging time on the levels of microplastics in mussels, curly oysters and coquinas.
The dimensions, morphology and were also analyzed chemical composition of these artificial particles present within the samples. As explained Joaquim Roviraproject researcher:
“We chose to study these animals because they obtain food by filtering water; this makes them likely to contain microplasticsif they exist in the environment in which they live”.
Rovira points out that they are organisms that are consumed whole, so are all the microplastics they accumulate ingested by people.
As for mussels, the results revealed that, on average, each individual contained almost as many nine microplastics before purification. This is a process aimed at eliminating toxins and pathogenic microorganisms from molluscs, which consists of immersing the animals in disinfected water for a period of time that varies depending on the mollusc and its cultivation area.
When the animals underwent 24 hours of purification, the presence of microplastics inside them was reduced by 50%, levels which remained stable after 48 hours. In the case of oysters and microplastics were detected once per animal, an average that was reduced by 25% after 72 hours of purification and by almost 50% after 96 hours.
Finally, inside coquinas, one and a half microplastics were found on average per individual before purification. After five hours, levels were reduced by more than 30%.
Depending on their morphology, most of the particles found in the samples are fibers (like the ones in the photo), although fragments and films were also detected.
Oysters tend to accumulate larger than mussels, and these larger than coquinas.
The composition of polymers it matches the most used types of plastic: Polyester and synthetic cellulose are the most common fiber compositions, widely used in the textile manufacturing; polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate and polyurethane, in films and fragments.
According to the researchers, the microplastics reach the sea coming mostly from land-based activities: industrial and domestic processes, tire fragmentation caused by wear, etc.
One of the main sources of microplastics are synthetic clothingwhose fibers are released into the sea through washing machines. “Wastewater treatment plants can’t hold it,” explains Rovira.
Furthermore, any larger plastic object, once it reaches the sea, can disintegrate into smaller fragments ingested by aquatic organisms.
How to avoid ingesting microplastics
To avoid ingesting microplastics, it is essential to adopt various practices in our daily lives. First of all, it is advisable to reduce its use disposable plasticopting for reusable alternatives (or going to the grocery store with a cloth bag), or stainless steel bottles, and using wooden utensils in the kitchen, for example.
You can also avoid personal care products that contain them microsphereswhich are small plastics used in scrubs and toothpastes.
Another strategy is to filter the water that we consume at home. Carbon filters or reverse osmosis can significantly reduce the presence of microplastics in water. And when it comes to cooking, it is recommended avoid plastic pots and containers (PFOA -perfluorooctanoic acid-, PTFE -polytetrafluoroethylene- and others), which can release particles when heated.
And it’s important to lend pay attention to food. Opt for fresh, seasonal products ecological origininstead of packaged in plastic. We must promote collective awareness of the problem of microplastics and their impact on our health.
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