Earth Day is April 22
Tiny plastic bits exist in food, soil, and water
Microplastics, bits of plastic that are less than five millimeters, are everywhere on Earth — in our food, soil, and water.
A study by the University of Newcastle in Australia estimates that every person consumes about five grams of plastic every week. That would be like eating a credit card.
Microplastics come from everywhere. Some are created with the breakdown of larger items, including synthetic clothing that shed bits when washed, car tires, or paint flakes. Some microplastics are manufactured for use in other products like makeup or sunscreen.
In food, fruits and vegetables contain the bits, probably from the water taken in by roots. But plastics are also present in beer, rice, honey, tea, and salt.
At this point, it is not possible to avoid microplastics entirely. They are literally in the apples on the trese, the snow in the Arctic, and the sands of the deserts.
However, you can avoid using plastic containers, single-use bags, and plastic packing materials. You can try to replace plastic tubes and bottles in everything from water to shampoo.
Experts at Rutgers University say the scientific community is still speculating what impact microplastics have on human health. There is some possibility that they can affect hormones and reproduction, and absorb chemicals and toxins before entering the human body.
