Beware of These Carcinogenic Materials!

The majority of meats and plant-based alternatives contain small plastic pieces linked to cancer, according to a study that comes after the discovery that bottled water is filled with toxins. Scientists tested 16 types of proteins, including chicken pieces, beef slices, fish fillets, and veggie burgers, showing that humans are consuming plastic regardless of the protein source they choose. Ninety percent of products contained nano-sized plastics, which scientists fear may accumulate in vital organs with unknown health effects. These small particles have been linked to cancer development, heart disease, dementia, as well as fertility problems. Researchers speculated that foods are contaminated through equipment used during food production and distribution, packaging, added ingredients, or airborne particles. Dr. Britta Baechler, a co-author of the study, marine biologist, and assistant director of plastic sciences at Ocean Conservancy, said, "This is a stunning reminder of how pervasive plastic pollution is." She added, "The plastic pollution crisis affects us all, and we need to take action to address its various forms." The Ocean Conservancy team worked with scientists from the University of Toronto to conduct this study. The team purchased protein and plant samples from two major stores in the Portland, Oregon area for the experiment. This was done because Americans are more likely to consume store-bought, processed, and packaged foods, according to the study published in the journal of Environmental Pollution. The researchers examined 124 samples randomly selected from divided food sources to determine the quantity and type of microplastics. All protein products contained microplastics, with these being present in 88% of total samples, including plant-based proteins and seafood. Fibers were found in nearly half of the food sources, while plastic shards accounted for about a third of the microplastics.