Very small plastic particles in food

Microplastic balls detected in food

18/11/2013

The NDR consumer magazine „market“ has reported tiny tiny plastic particles in honey and drinking water. In exfoliating creams or toothpastes, the addition of plastic balls is common practice and should, for example, help whiten teeth and cleanse the skin deeper. After application, these particles enter the environment via wastewater, where they are absorbed by animals and stored in the tissue. Due to their small size, sewage treatment plants can not filter out these particles. They are also fed on plankton, which in turn is a food source for fish, and ultimately can be found indirectly on people's menus. These polyethylene-made plastics are also used in the manufacture of clothing. Whether plastic microparticles, plastic bags or PET bottles. Plastic has become a major problem for our environment. Our oceans and lakes are criss-crossed with plastic fragments. „We can assume that the microplastics can be found everywhere in the atmosphere, "the TV magazine quoted the researcher Gerd Liebezeit from the Institute of Chemistry and Biology of the Sea at the Carl-von-Ossietzky-Universität Oldenburg.

Even over the air, the plastic should get into food. The biologist found plastic fibers or residues of this material in four out of 19 honeys. Studies of rainwater have also shown positive findings. Liebezeit also demands that the use of plastic particles in cosmetics and cleaning products should be banned. The Federal Environment Agency is well aware of this issue and has commissioned research into the impact of microplastics on the environment. Loud „market“ Manufacturers have announced a speedy exit from the use of microplastics in the manufacture of their products. People who want to contribute something to recovery should take care not to use products with ingredients such as or fleece, made of velor fabric, or impose. They too are made from a plastic granulate. (Fr)

Picture: lichtkunst.73