Publication on microplastic found in food

21.10.2022

A team of researchers from the Department of Bromatology of the MUG, ledby the Head of the unit Dr. Habil. Małgorzata Grembecka composed of: Kornelia Kadac-Czapska, Ph.D. and Eliza Knez, M.A. published a review article in the journal Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition entitled Food and human safety – the impact of microplastics. Currently, this newspaper has the highest possible score of the Ministry of Education and Science, which is 200 points, and its impact factor (IF) is 11.208.

from the left: Eliza Knez, M.A., Dr. Habil. Małgorzata Grembecka, Kornelia Kadac-Czapska, Ph.D.

The prepared work discusses the problem of food contamination with microplastic particles. Plastic waste pollution, as a consequence of expansive human activity, is one of the greatest problems of the modern world.

– The amount of plastic in the environment is steadily increasing, and human exposure poses a direct threat to their health and life. Microplastic is found in the blood, it can migrate to various organs, such as the kidneys and liver, and initiate neoplastic processes – explains Dr. Habil. Małgorzata Grembecka. – Adverse effects of microplastics depend on the sources and routes of exposure, and as the most common one is considered the gastrointestinal tract.

This topic attracts the attention of the whole world, authorities, public opinion, media, environmental and non-governmental organizations, as well as the academic community. The presence of this type of molecules has been demonstrated in seafood, fish, drinking water, as well as salt, beer, milk, tea and honey. The published work is a case study, the presentation of which aims to present the multifaceted health risks that come with contact with microplastics.

Full text of the publication is available at www.tandfonline.com.

photo from the private archive