Scientists estimate that 4.9 billion tons of plastic waste had accumulated on Earth by 2015. Some of this debris gradually disintegrates to microscopic sizes, and these particles constantly enter human organisms through food, water and even air. Researchers at the University of Victoria, Canada, were able to calculate how many plastic particles are consumed per year by adult men and women, as well as young boys and girls. The research findings are scary.
In conducting the study, the scientists used data on the concentration of microplastics in food, water and air from 26 scientific documents. In these works, information was found on the degree of pollution of bottled water and beer, sugar, fish and air with plastic microparticles. Unfortunately, the data on the contamination of meat, vegetables and fruits were not available to the researchers.
There are plastic particles inside a person
However, scientists were able to calculate the annual amount of plastic consumed by humans. It turned out that during this period of time, 121.7 thousand particles penetrate into the body of adult men, and women eat, drink and inhale 98.3 thousand microscopic pieces of plastic. In children, these indicators, of course, are lower: 81.3 thousand particles enter the organisms of boys per year, and 74 thousand particles for girls.
The results of the study are scary in this form, but scientists believe that in fact the amount of plastic consumed by a person is much higher. The fact is that they did not take into account all categories of products, and also ignored the fact that the amount of plastic entering the body directly depends on the habits of each person. For example, people who drink bottled water admit 22 times more plastic into their bodies than those who prefer tap water.
The amount of plastic waste is constantly growing and it is already starting to harm insects. More recently, Australian scientists have started sounding the alarm because they have discovered bee nests made entirely of plastic. Perhaps this material protects them from chemicals, but they still cannot live in such nests - dead individuals were found inside.
Ramis Ganiev
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