From the deepest ocean trenches to the highest mountain peaks, microplastics have been detected everywhere on Earth. These particles travel through wind, water, and food chains, contaminating natural habitats worldwide. Marine animals and birds often mistake them for food, leading to health complications and death. The spread of microplastics highlights the urgent need for sustainable solutions.
The Global Spread of Microplastics
“Black plastic is the most contaminated of all the different plastics and has the highest level of lead, brominated flame retardants, and other chemicals,”
Jeff Gearhart, Research Director at the Ecology Center
“When exposed to heat, wear, or acidic contents, plastic containers can release microplastics and chemical additives into food, which can be ingested,”
Dr. De Vizcaya Ruiz UC Irvine
“We estimate the release of 1 to 14 microplastics per cut from polyethylene cutting boards and 3 to 15 microplastics per cut from polypropylene, our study assumes that the average person makes 500 cuts per day on a board, or over the course of a year, 128,000 cuts. Given those numbers, the cumulative microplastics exposure ranges from 7.4 to 50.7 grams per year (that’s about 10 credit cards per year).”
Himani Yadav North Dakota State University
“Nonstick pans that have been scratched or chipped can leach millions of microplastics into our food,”
Dr. Poonam Desai
“Plastics used in coffee makers can contain potentially dangerous chemicals, including BPA and PFAS (forever chemicals)’.
Dr. Kelly Johnson-Arbor Toxicology Physician at National Poison Center
“Reducing the use of plastics in your kitchen is one of the most effective ways to minimize exposure to potentially harmful chemicals and microplastics that can leach into your food.”
Dr. Heather Stapleton, Duke University
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