Kornelia Kadac-Czapska, Eliza Knez, Małgorzata Grembecka

Effects of microplastic-contaminated foods on the digestive system
2022-11-07

Microplastic (MP) is a highly polymeric synthetic material with particle sizes ranging from 0.1 to 5000 µm. It can be classified according to its origin into: primary and secondary. Primary MPs are particles of manufactured products (e.g. personal hygiene), while secondary MPs are the unintentional debris of plastic breakdown.

MP can affect human health in direct and indirect ways. The most common route of exposure to MP is the digestive system. MP has been confirmed in foods such as fish, seafood, water, tea, soft drinks, energy drinks, beer, wine, milk, honey, salt, sugar, various types of vegetables and fruits (e.g., carrot, broccoli, lettuce, apple, pear). The most common are particles formed from: polyethylene, polypropylene, poly(vinyl chloride), polystyrene, poly(ethylene terephthalate), polyamide, polycarbonate, and polyurethane. Health hazards resulting from the consumption of these materials are due to their composition, quantity, as well as size and shape of the particles. MP is ingested involuntarily with food. It has been shown that people around the world can consume up to 5 g of microplastic per week. The presence of MP in the digestive system has been confirmed by human stool studies.

Depending on where it is accumulated, MP affects the function of the digestive system in different ways. It accumulates in organs such as the liver and intestines. It may be the cause of chronic inflammatory bowel disease, including Leśniowski-Crohn's disease and also affects the composition of the microbiome. Changes in the diversity of the intestinal microbiota can result in dysbiosis.

MP is present in the bloodstream and can enter organs via this route. Contact with it is associated with risk of oxidative stress, changes in cell division and viability, DNA damage, immune responses, increased risk of cancer, respiratory, and neurodegenerative diseases.

This paper presents information on MPs, with a focus on their presence in food and their effects on the digestive system.

Keywords: polymers, microplastic, food, digestive system, health effects.

© Bromat. Chem. Toksykol, 2022, 54 (2): 92–104