Apples had one of the highest microplastic counts in fruit, with an average of 195,500 plastic particles per gram, while pears averaged around 189,500 plastic particles per gram. Broccoli and carrots were shown to be the most contaminated vegetables, averaging more than 100,000 plastic particles per gram.
Microplastics can even be found in fruits and vegetables—like apples, broccoli, and carrots—with plants able to absorb nanoplastics through their root systems. And plastic tea bags are leaching billions of particles every time you make a cup of Earl Gray.
A 2020 study found microplastics and nanoplastics in fruit and vegetables sold by supermarkets and in produce sold by local sellers in Catania in Sicily, Italy. Apples were the most contaminated fruit, and carrots had the highest levels of microplastics among the sampled vegetables.
Further, we identi ed the microplastic size through stereomicroscope, in grapes and banana the microplastic size was 0.002 mm and 0.01 mm respectively as well as vegetables like potato and brinjal the microplastic size was 0.002 mm and 0.01mm.
Synthetic textiles are the single greatest contributors to engineered microplastics in the ocean, accounting for 35 percent of the total volume. Polyester, nylon, acrylic, and other synthetic fibers – each a form of plastic – make up 60 percent of the fabric content of our clothes.
Microplastics are detected in eggs and confirmed by multiple methods. Nile red staining can help to detect microplastics more quickly and accurately.
As it turns out, the whole thing was a success, removing microplastics from water. The combination of okra with fenugreek was the one that worked best to remove microplastics from ocean water, while okra paired with tamarind worked best for freshwater samples.
As chickens, cows, and pigs graze they are consuming microplastics. Though their meat may not contain microplastics, their digestive systems certainly do. One study found that chickens in Mexico had microplastics in their gizzards, which are commonly eaten in some areas of the world.
Avoid single-use plastics
Eplastic item eventually breaks down, producing secondary microplastics that find their way into the environment. You'll find a ton of plastic used in the retail industry, especially when it comes to plastic bags. Avoid single-use plastics by: Bringing fabric bags or backpacks while shopping.
Professor Patrick Drogui explains that: “Using electrodes, we generate hydroxyl radicals (* OH) to attack microplastics. This process is environmentally friendly because it breaks them down into CO2 and water molecules, which are non-toxic to the ecosystem.”
Birch trees, found in the Northern Hemisphere, were found to remediate the soils by absorbing microplastics through their roots.
Averaging across lots by brand, Nestle Pure Life and Gerolsteiner showed the highest average densities at 930 and 807 MPP/L, respectively, while San Pellegrino and Minalba showed the lowest microplastic contamination with 30.0 and 63.1 MPP/L, respectively (Figure 1).
Researchers have recently found microplastics in fruits and veggies, with the worst offender being apples at 233,000 plastic particles per gram of apple. An international study found 83% of samples of tap water contain microplastics.
But the amounts are tiny. The study says a 100g serve of rice typically contains 3.7mg of microplastics if it's unwashed, 2.8mg if it's washed or 13.3mg for instant rice (in the microwaveable pouches). A single grain of rice weighs roughly 30mg.
Start by eating lower on the food chain—if you're not already vegan, this is just one more good reason to ditch animal products! Studies show that fish, shellfish, and meat from land animals contain the highest levels of microplastics.
Microplastics in the soil also can be absorbed by crops such as tomatoes, corn and potatoes. Plastics have even been found in the air.
Fruit & Vegetables
Apples and carrots have the highest levels of microplastic particles.
Small plastic particles known as microplastics have been detected in dairy and meat products and in the animals themselves.
“Currently there are many unknowns about how harmful consuming microplastics is to human health, but we do know exposure can cause an element of risk,” Dr O'Brien says. Washing rice before cooking reduces plastic contaminants by 20 to 40 per cent, the researchers found.
Boiling water will not remove microplastics from tap water or lower their concentrations. As a tool for water treatment, boiling water works well for killing pathogens that could make you ill. It does not remove anything from the water that can't turn into a gas. For that you would need some type of filtration.
A single load of laundry can release over a million microplastic fibers. In order to combat this, you can install a filter in your washing machine to catch these plastics. Then, you can properly dispose of them. You can also wash your clothes on a lower setting, wash by hand, or try to buy less synthetic clothing.
It's likely that ingesting microplastics could further expose us to chemicals found in some plastics that are known to be harmful. These chemicals have been linked to a variety of health problems, including reproductive harm and obesity, plus issues such as organ problems and developmental delays in children.
Even though microplastics are known to enter the human body, scientists still don't know how or if the body absorbs, metabolizes, or eliminates these particles, and the exact dose of microplastics needed to cause disease remains unknown.
Apparently yes, if you're using a disposable coffee cup, microplastics may be leaching into your coffee … or tea. From now on, there is another, very important reason to ditch takeaway coffee cups and this doesn't just relate to the environment, it relates to your health.