Microplastics from food packaging: An overview of human consumption, health threats, and alternative solutions

Root vegetables are known all over the world, but they are being less and less consumed by individuals. The main purpose of this article was to summarize the benefits, health effects, and threats associated with the consumption of carrot, celery, parsley, beetroot, radish, turnip, and horseradish. They are characterized by high nutritional value due to their richness in dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. One of their most important features is their high content of bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, phenols, flavonoids, and vitamin C. These compounds are responsible for antioxidant potential. Comparison of their antioxidant effects is difficult due to the lack of standardization among methods used for their assessment. Therefore, there is a need for a reference method that would allow for correct interpretation. Moreover, root vegetables are characterized by several health-promoting effects, including the regulation of metabolic parameters (glucose level, lipid profile, and blood pressure), antioxidant potential, prebiotic function, and anti-cancer properties. However, due to the type of cultivation, root vegetables are vulnerable to contaminants from the soil, such as toxic metals (lead and cadmium), pesticides, pharmaceutical residues, microplastics, and nitrates. Regardless, the low levels of toxic substances present in root vegetables do not pose health risks to the average consumer.

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“…Microplastics (MPs) are a pollutant of global concern [ 172 , 173 ]. They are defined as synthetic materials with a high polymer content [ 174 ].…”

Section: Contaminantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Root Vegetables—Composition, Health Effects, and Contaminants

Knez

Kadac-Czapska

Dmochowska-Ślęzak

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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“…The global production of plastics has reached the impressive amount of more than 350 million tons per year. This is the result of the massive demand for this material, which has been considered, until now, the golden choice in terms of durability, usability, and versatility for a huge variety of applications and consumer products [1][2][3]. This widespread use of plastics also led to their accumulation in landfills and in the natural environment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Raman Microspectroscopy Detection and Characterisation of Microplastics in Human Breastmilk

et al. 2022

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The widespread use of plastics determines the inevitable human exposure to its by-products, including microplastics (MPs), which enter the human organism mainly by ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact. Once internalised, MPs may pass across cell membranes and translocate to different body sites, triggering specific cellular mechanisms. Hence, the potential health impairment caused by the internalisation and accumulation of MPs is of prime concern, as confirmed by numerous studies reporting evident toxic effects in various animal models, marine organisms, and human cell lines. In this pilot single-centre observational prospective study, human breastmilk samples collected from N. 34 women were analysed by Raman Microspectroscopy, and, for the first time, MP contamination was found in 26 out of 34 samples. The detected microparticles were classified according to their shape, colour, dimensions, and chemical composition. The most abundant MPs were composed of polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, and polypropylene, with sizes ranging from 2 to 12 µm. MP data were statistically analysed in relation to specific patients’ data (age, use of personal care products containing plastic compounds, and consumption of fish/shellfish, beverages, and food in plastic packaging), but no significant relationship was found, suggesting that the ubiquitous MP presence makes human exposure inevitable.

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“…These practices may not only pollute the environment but also negatively affect human health. Jadhav et al illustrated that using plastic materials for packaging food and beverages releases microplastics and toxic substances, which may be harmful to consumer health [ 16 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Challenges and Priorities of Municipal Solid Waste Management in Cambodia

Pheakdey

Quan

Khanh

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Municipal solid waste (MSW) management is one of the utmost challenges for Cambodia’s city and district centers. The unsound management of MSW has detrimentally affected the environment and human health. In the present study, an attempt has been made to provide a comprehensive insight into the generation and characteristics, policies and legislation frameworks, management arrangement, collection, treatment, and disposal of MSW. The experience of developed and developing countries and the challenges and priorities of MSW management in Cambodia are also highlighted. In Cambodia, about 4.78 million tons of MSW were generated in 2020, with a 0.78 kg/capita/day generation rate. Only 86% of cities and districts have access to MSW collection services. The current practice of MSW management is reliance on landfill (44%). There are 164 landfills operating countrywide, receiving about 5749 tons of MSW per day. Recycling, incineration, and composting share 4%, 4%, and 2% of MSW generation, respectively. In 2021, the total revenue that was recovered from recyclables was USD 56M. The study concludes several major challenges and proposes valuable suggestions, which may be beneficial for the improvement of the current system to support the sustainable management of MSW in Cambodia.

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Microplastics from food packaging: An overview of human consumption, health threats, and alternative solutions

Cited by 68 publications

References 86 publications

Root Vegetables—Composition, Health Effects, and Contaminants

Root Vegetables—Composition, Health Effects, and Contaminants

Raman Microspectroscopy Detection and Characterisation of Microplastics in Human Breastmilk

Challenges and Priorities of Municipal Solid Waste Management in Cambodia

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