Close to the heart: are plastic particles getting into human organs?
One of the most discussed topics of recent times was information about the dangers of using food plastic, published recently in foreign media. People are afraid of the effect of micro- and nanoparticles of synthetic materials on cardiovascular activity and their penetration into the brain. What precautions should be taken when using food containers, and whether pieces of plastic can penetrate the main human organ - in the material "Izvestia".
Plastic and harmful substances
Disputes about the health hazards of plastic utensils have been going on for a long time, and they have recently been brought to a new level by Chinese scientists. In the network zvirusilovsya research Medical University of Ningxia, whose experts studied the impact of daily contact with plastic products on the cardiovascular system and human microbiota. The work involved, in particular, a questionnaire for 3200 elderly respondents and experiments on rats. The experts concluded that heating disposable plastic takeaway food containers can be hazardous to health, in particular, exposure to plastic is likely to be able to serve as a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
"The study found that heating plastic containers in a microwave oven for three minutes can release up to 4.22 million microplastics per square centimeter," says an article on the subject. Meanwhile, the authors stipulate that "the link between plastic exposure levels and cardiovascular disease is still unclear, and further research is needed."
The publication concludes with tips on how to use plastic utensils to reduce health risks.
Brain out of danger
Information is also circulating online that pieces of plastic get into the brain, which is extremely destructive to the body. A group of scientists from the United States conducted a study, as a result of which, experts have come to the conclusion that in the human organ, allegedly, can accumulate microplastics. Experts believe that dangerous particles get into the human body with food, water or air.
Doctor of Biological Sciences, head of the laboratory of the nervous system of the Research Institute of Human Morphology Sergei Savelyev told "Izvestia" that such conclusions are erroneous and it makes no sense to fear the penetration of food plastic in the brain. According to the scientist, this problem is similar to the once sensational ban on aerosols allegedly increasing the ozone hole in Antarctica and the theory about the negative impact on health of materials made of chrysotile asbestos. The expert does not rule out that the fight against certain types of plastic may be related to the commercial interests of companies that are already ready to replace it with another material.
According to Professor Savelyev, it is impossible for food plastic to affect vital organs, and inhaling the polluted air on the street gives more pollution than heating a container with food.
- In order for plastic to reach the brain, it must pass to it with the bloodstream, to overcome the blood-brain barrier, which is impenetrable even for 90% of drugs. But our gastrointestinal juices and enzymes in the oral cavity are not able to break down pieces of food plastic so that they get into the bloodstream. Small particles, once in the gastrointestinal tract, are inevitably eliminated from the body naturally," explained Sergei Savelyev to Izvestia.
Heating in a microwave oven also can not melt plastic to such an extent that it then got into the blood, emphasizes the professor. The temperature of churning (the transition of the substance from solid to gaseous) plastic is much higher than the maximum temperature for which the microwave is designed.
Caution does not hurt
In order not to be afraid of scary stories from the Internet, doctors recommend observing the precautions already provided. Packaging must meet the requirements of all technical regulations of the Customs Union (Technical Regulations of the Customs Union TR TS 005/2011 "On the safety of packaging").
The therapist of the Scandinavian Health Center Olga Chistik notes that every product made of any kind of plastic must be marked in accordance with the regulations. Marking in the form of a triangle with arrows and numbers from 1 to 7 (material code) shows how to competently use a plastic product.
The expert listed to Izvestia the types of markings that should not be neglected:
- labeling - 1: use only once and do not heat, repeated use releases phthalate;
- 2, 3, 7: not suitable for food storage as they can cause serious health problems due to toxic substances in the composition;
- 4: safe for food storage, but heating is not recommended;
- 5: can be used for food storage, can withstand temperature fluctuations well;
- 6: cannot be heated in microwave ovens and treated with alcohol, but is suitable for food storage.
According to Olga Chistik, numbers 1, 4, 5 and 6 are suitable for food storage.
- But these numbers have their own peculiarities. So, for example, plastic labeled 6 can not be heated in the microwave, because of this can release toxic substances. And plastic products with marking 1 can be heated, but only up to 60 degrees and is prohibited to reuse, - comments Olga Chistik.
The therapist also advises to pay attention to additional markings of plastic products for food storage. For example, crossed out plate and spoon means that you can not use the container for heating food. If a microwave is pictured, the container is suitable for microwave ovens. A dishwasher on the container is a sign that you can wash the item with mechanical equipment. Snowflake - the container is suitable for cooling and freezing. Vertical stripes and degrees inform the consumer about the maximum heating temperature.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
