MICROPLASTICS

Global plastic production exceeded 311 million tonnes annually according to 2014 data, and is estimated to double by 2025. The increase in plastic production is also raising the rate at which these plastics enter the environment. An estimated 4.8 million – 12.7 million tonnes of plastic waste entered the oceans in 2010.(2) Plastic waste forming expanding floating waste areas in the oceans breaks down into microplastics and nanoplastics—small particles—under the effects of ultraviolet light and physical wear. EFSA defines plastic particles smaller than 5 mm as microplastics. In addition to pollution caused by plastic waste, plastic-based particles used in cosmetic products such as toothpaste and peeling products, surface cleaners, and textile fiber particles from synthetic clothing that enter wastewater during washing are identified as another source of microplastics. Atmospheric transport is also a cause of contamination.(1)

Microplastics in various concentrations have been detected in the digestive systems of marine organisms such as fish, crustaceans, mussels and oysters.

Fish consuming microplastics as food or marine organisms feeding by filtering water ingest microplastics into their bodies. Microplastics entering the digestive systems of marine organisms have been observed to cause blockages and inflammation in fish digestive systems.(2) Additionally, microplastics absorb harmful chemicals for the environment such as PAH (Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), PCB (Polychlorinated biphenyls) and organochlorine pesticides.(3) Through the food chain, both microplastics and the chemical substances they absorb reach humans. Studies have also been conducted on the presence of microplastics in honey, beer and table salt, and mineral water. A study conducted on 19 honey samples sourced from Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Mexico found plastic fibers and plastic particles.(4) Analyses performed using FT-IR or Raman spectroscopy on 24 beer samples sourced from supermarkets in Germany detected microplastics in all of the beer samples.(5) In studies conducted using microscopy and Raman spectroscopy on rock salt, sea salt and lake salt sourced from stores in Turkey, microplastics were detected at 16-84 particles/kg in sea salt, 8-102 particles/kg in lake salt, and 9-16 particles/kg in rock salt. The highest amount of microplastics was found in sea and lake salt.(6) As can be seen above, although there have been studies on microplastic analysis in food, no reference method has yet been established.(1) Numerous studies have shown that humans are exposed to microplastics through the food chain, yet no research has been conducted on the effects of microplastics on human health. Water sources, seas and oceans are particularly under threat from microplastic pollution.(1) Awareness on this issue is growing globally, and for example, the United Kingdom has decided to ban the use of rubber microparticles in cosmetic and personal care products.(7) In conclusion, while the effects of measures taken by countries are significant, due to the advantages provided by plastic use, increased consumption and consequently increased waste mean that more effective measures must be taken. The enzyme recently discovered that converts PET plastics into natural components could be an effective solution for disposing of plastics discarded in nature or for plastic recycling. Mehtap Keskin Evcimen Senior Chemist Technical Director A&T Food Control Laboratory

References 1) EFSA. Presence of microplastics and nanoplastics in food, with particular focus on seafood 2) Food And Agriculture Organization of the United Nations - Microplastics in fisheries and aquaculture. 3) Mwana-Scoe L., Germaine K., Kakoulı-Duarte T., And Cleary J. (2017). Characterisation of microplastics in Irish freshwaters. 15th International Conference on Environmental Science and Technology Rhodes, Greece, 31 August to 2 September 2017. 4) Peter Mühlschlegel, P., Hauk A., Walter U., Sieber R. (2017) Lack of evidence for microplastic contamination in honey. Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A, 2017 Vol 34, No: 11 1982-1989. 5) Liebezeit G. and Liebezeit E. (2014) Synthetic particles as contaminants in German beers. Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A, 2014 Vol. 31, No. 9, 1574–1578. 6) Gündoğdu S. (2018) Contamination of table salts from Turkey with microplastics. Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A. 7) Anonymous, 2018. www.gov.uk 27.04.2018.