Americans are also hit hard… Males are worse off than Females
This isn’t the quarterly revenue chart for Nvidia since 2014…it’s the amount of microplastics found in your testicles over the past decade. pic.twitter.com/ot0fOExkIK
— Trung Phan (@TrungTPhan) May 25, 2024
Where are the microplastics hiding in the female body is what I want to know. pic.twitter.com/TGdonFitaa
— Kat Kanada (@KatKanada_TM) May 24, 2024
A recent study has revealed that people in the UK and Ireland are exposed to some of the highest levels of microplastic dust inhalation in the world, ranking only behind China and Mongolia. This comprehensive analysis, which included 109 countries, estimated the volumes of microplastic particles that individuals inadvertently consume and inhale. The research highlights the significant impact of untreated plastic waste, which breaks down and disperses into the environment, posing public health risks.
ST🛑P
USING THESECUTTING BOARDS!
I KNOW I ASK A LOT
FROM YOU BUTMICROPLASTICS CAN
DESTROY YOUR BODY! pic.twitter.com/kUnPoAewGt— DR. Kek (@Thekeksociety) March 15, 2024
Fengqi You, a professor specializing in Energy Systems Engineering, emphasized the importance of understanding microplastic uptake at a national level as it serves as a crucial indicator of both environmental pollution and potential health hazards. The findings encourage the adoption of targeted local strategies, such as improving water quality and enhancing waste recycling efforts, to mitigate pollution.
Published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, the study took into account various factors like dietary habits, food processing technologies, age demographics, and breathing rates to explain the differences in microplastic consumption across different nations.
According to the data, individuals in the UK and Ireland are estimated to breathe in around 791,000 microplastic particles daily. This high exposure level in the UK may partially stem from a 2019 study by Kings College London, which found significantly high concentrations of microfibers, particularly from acrylic textiles, in the capital’s air.
By comparison, the study found that people in China and Mongolia are exposed to approximately 2.8 million particles per day. In the US, the figure is around 300,000 particles per day, with countries in the Mediterranean and nearby regions, such as Spain, Portugal, and Hungary, experiencing the lowest exposure levels, ranging from 60,000 to 240,000 particles per month.
The research also explored dietary intake of microplastics, compiling data on their concentrations in various food subcategories, including fruits, vegetables, proteins, grains, dairy, drinks, sugars, salts, and spices. It revealed significant disparities in the amount of microplastic consumed through different foods across countries. For example, table salt in Indonesia contains about 100 times more microplastic than American table salt, despite similar consumption levels.
I feel like I’m walking on eggshells to say this, but the eggs you get in restaurants and fast food joints are usually full of additives that sometimes include microplastics. This is the eggs you get when you head for the border. pic.twitter.com/C5Nj6jVqAe
— 💯 Cary Kelly 💯 (@CaryKelly11) May 18, 2024
Malaysians, the study notes, consume approximately 15 grams of microplastics monthly, primarily from seafood, making them the highest consumers globally. Indonesians follow closely, ingesting about 13 grams monthly. In contrast, Americans consume about 2.4 grams, while Paraguayans have the lowest intake at just 0.85 grams per month. The UK ranks 89th in terms of dietary microplastic consumption, with an average intake of around 1.6 grams per month.
Xiang You, a co-author of the study, pointed out that industrialization, especially in East and South Asia, has increased the consumption of plastic materials and waste generation, leading to a rise in human microplastic uptake. In contrast, industrialized nations are showing a reverse trend, thanks to more substantial economic resources that help mitigate the presence of free plastic debris in the environment.
Major Points
- The UK and Ireland rank third globally for the highest inhalation of microplastic particles, following China and Mongolia.
- The study evaluated microplastic exposure in 109 countries, highlighting untreated plastic waste as a significant pollution and health issue.
- Residents in the UK and Ireland inhale an estimated 791,000 microplastic particles daily, influenced by high local air pollution levels.
- The research also explored dietary intake of microplastics, finding that Malaysians consume the most, primarily from seafood.
- The study suggests that industrialization in Asia has increased plastic use and waste, while industrialized nations are better able to mitigate pollution due to greater economic resources.
Charles William III – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
