Potential health hazards of microplastics in animal blood and meat
Anna Rusak,21.12.2023 07:00Scientists have found microplastics in the meat and blood of animals. Does consuming animal products with microplastics affect our health?
Microplastics, tiny plastic particles, have become ubiquitous and are now found in everything from shower gel to the rain. Researchers have found evidence of its existence even in human foetuses, making it difficult to find something that does not contain it. Recently, scientists conducted a study to determine if microplastic could be found in animal products and the blood of farmed animals.
Microplastics in animal meat
A study conducted by researchers from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VUA) in the Netherlands found microplastic in 75% of the meat and dairy products, as well as blood samples from cows and pigs.
The study tested twelve blood samples from cows, twelve from pigs, and products derived from these animals. Furthermore, besides meat and dairy products, scientists discovered plastic particles in other places.
Microplastics in animal blood
Microplastics, believed to be the primary source of contamination in their blood and milk, were detected in the animals' feed samples. Shockingly, even the milk obtained through hand milking was found to have microplastic. This suggests that the plastic packaging was not the only factor contributing to the animals' exposure to microplastic.
With microplastics present in livestock feed, it is not surprising that a clear majority of the meat and dairy products tested contained microplastics. We urgently need to rid the world of plastic in animal feed to protect the health of livestock and humans
In case you are still curious about how microplastics end up in animal blood and even in the products we purchase from stores, the reason is straightforward. Plastic has made its way into these products through animal feed and plastic packaging.
Microplastics in animal products - can anything be done about it?
Scientists have not yet been able to determine the exact impact of microplastics found in meat from animals on our health. However, the first scientific study published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials in 2021 demonstrated that microplastics cause harm to human cells that were tested in a laboratory.
It remains unknown if there are any potential toxicological risks of these finding
Is there anything we can do about the problem of microplastic pollution? The answer is complex. While reducing plastic use is an excellent start to prevent further fragmentation of plastic debris and its entry into the bodies of animals and humans, it may not be enough to solve the issue. Microplastics have already spread into the air, making it difficult to avoid exposure. Therefore, finding a comprehensive solution to this problem may require more than reducing plastic use.
Source: The Guardian
