¿Microplásticos dentro de nuestro cuerpo? - Intersección con César

Takeaways

• 😀 Microplastic ingestion is a growing concern, with individuals consuming the equivalent of a public transportation card's worth of plastic each week.
• 😀 Microplastics enter our bodies through both inhalation of contaminated air and consumption of food and beverages.
• 😀 A study by UNAM and the Instituto Politécnico Nacional reveals that microplastics are now present in the air across the Valley of Mexico, with 100% of 215 samples containing these particles.
• 😀 The study found that on average, each adult resident in the Valley of Mexico inhales about 5 grams of microplastics every week.
• 😀 The main sources of plastic pollution include materials like cellophane (used in packaging) and PET, which make up the majority of microplastics found.
• 😀 The tiny size of these plastic particles, especially those around 1mm, allows them to travel long distances and reach deeper areas of our lungs, potentially causing serious health issues.
• 😀 Inhaled microplastics can cause respiratory problems like hypoxia, where the body struggles to absorb enough oxygen.
• 😀 Fagocytes, the cells that protect the body by consuming harmful organisms, cannot break down microplastics, meaning they end up trapped in the body.
• 😀 Exposure to microplastics has been linked to a range of diseases, including asthma, chronic bronchitis, lung cancer, and even COVID-19.
• 😀 Microplastic pollution is recognized by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a Class 1 carcinogen, on par with smoking.
• 😀 The only effective solution to this problem is to reduce plastic production globally, introduce policies to combat plastic pollution, and raise awareness about its health risks.

Q & A

What is the main concern highlighted in the study conducted by the UNAM and the Instituto Politécnico Nacional?

The main concern is the presence of microplastic particles in the air, food, and water, which humans are increasingly ingesting and inhaling. These particles have been found to enter the human body through various sources, including the air and food products.

How much plastic are humans ingesting weekly, according to the research?

The study suggests that each adult in the Valley of Mexico area is ingesting or inhaling around 5 grams of microplastics every week, which is equivalent to the size of a public transportation card.

What was the primary method of data collection in the study?

The researchers collected 215 samples from the air in the Mexico City metropolitan area, and they found microplastic particles in all of the samples.

What are the primary sources of these microplastic particles?

The primary sources identified are materials such as cellophane, PET (polyethylene terephthalate), and other plastics commonly used for packaging, including food and gift wrapping.

Why is the size of microplastics concerning?

The small size of microplastics (around one millimeter) is concerning because it allows them to travel great distances and penetrate deep into the lungs, potentially causing serious health problems.

What impact could microplastics have on human health, according to the study?

Microplastics can potentially cause respiratory problems like asthma, pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, and even lung cancer. They might also contribute to hypoxia (oxygen deficiency) in the blood due to their ability to infiltrate the lungs deeply.

How does the human body react to inhaled microplastics?

The body responds by using cells called phagocytes, which attempt to digest harmful particles. However, phagocytes are designed to consume bacteria and viruses, not microplastics, so they simply encapsulate the microplastics, which remain in the body.

What connection has been found between microplastic exposure and diseases?

Research has shown a link between exposure to microplastics and diseases such as asthma, pneumonia, and even cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified particulate matter pollution as a carcinogenic risk, similar to tobacco smoking.

What is the most crucial step to mitigate the problem of microplastic contamination?

The most important step is to implement strong policies and actions at the local, national, and international levels to reduce plastic production, alongside educating the public about the harmful effects of plastic pollution.

Why is it difficult to address the plastic pollution problem effectively?

The problem is difficult to address because plastic is present in nearly every aspect of daily life, and it is only when the harmful effects become severe that substantial actions are taken. This delay in response can make it harder to reverse the damage.