Do you know how much microplastic we ingest on average every day? A study by Cornell University reveals this for people in 109 countries. The figures are indeed shocking: Indonesians consume around 15 grams of microplastics per month — a global record. Americans consume around 2.4 grams, while Paraguay has the lowest figure at 0.85 grams. When it comes to inhaling microplastics, China and Mongolia lead the way with over 2.8 million particles per month. In the USA, the figure is around 300,000 particles.
It is still not completely clear how these microplastics could affect our health. However, microplastic particles can enter the bloodstream and accumulate in various organs. Chronic diseases, inflammation and other health problems are possible as a result.
So let’s all hope that the UN Plastics Convention planned for the end of 2024 is a success. Even the study emphasises that microplastic exposure can only be reduced through international cooperation.
By the way: According to the EU, the main sources of microplastics are the washing of synthetic clothing (35 per cent of primary microplastics) and tyre abrasion from driving (28 per cent).
Xiang Z et al. Microplastic Human Dietary Uptake from 1990 to 2018 Grew across 109 Major Developing and Industrialized Countries but Can Be Halved by Plastic Debris Removal. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2024