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At Southwest Environmental we have been assessing the impact of chemicals on humans and ecology for over decade. In recent years we have seen any number of new concerns arising from ever more contaminated food chains.
Microplastics has quickly become a very persistent, and prevalent concern with regards to Food Contamination. Microplastics are tiny plastic particles, less than 5 millimeters in size, that can contaminate our food in a number here are some examples:
Microplastics are prevalent in the world's oceans, where they are ingested by and thusly contaminate fish and shellfish causing a negative impact of food safety. When we consume these seafood products, we also ingest the microplastics they contain.
Microplastics can contaminate table salt through seawater or from plastic pollution during the harvesting, processing, packaging, and transportation of salt.
Microplastics can contaminate fruits and vegetables through irrigation water contaminated with wastewater or microplastics present in the soil. Opens in a new windowwww.plasticsoupfoundation.org
Microplastics can leach from plastic bottles or containers into beverages, especially when heated or stored for long periods.
It is important to note that research on the health effects of microplastics is still ongoing. However, some studies have suggested that microplastics may have negative impacts on human health, such as disrupting hormones and damaging organs.
Detection of Micro plastics in Food
It would appear that humans have short memories. We have consistently invented a series of wonder chemicals, and substances over the last 80 of so years that are pretty much indestructible, and are all capable of bio accumulation.
Recent testing in the UK has shown that fish caught around the UK have measurable levels of forever chemicals contained within them. But this is a recent data set in a well established set of forever chemicals that really kicked off in the 70's with DDT.