Investigating dietary exposure to nanoplastics and microplastics
Abstract
Plastics are an emerging environmental contaminant of concern and can enter human food and beverages in the agricultural and industrial production stages, as well as during domestic food preparation. Plastic particles in the micro (29 billion particles, or 2.1 x 10-4 to 431 g/person/year. However, these ranges largely reflect limitations of the current data. Estimates are based on an amalgamation of selectively chosen studies using incomparable methodologies and variable quality control procedures and only cover a narrow range of food products that do not adequately represent the human diet. Mass concentration exposure estimates are derived from calculations that convert particle number to mass, but there is disagreement in the literature as to how to do this reliably. Estimates are therefore highly reliant on assumptions and extrapolations and are based on studies that do not represent a typical human diet and are subject to significant knowledge gaps. To obtain more reliable data, further studies are needed that investigate a broader range of commonly consumed foods using consistent laboratory methods, and that measure mass-based concentrations directly. Based on the knowledge gaps identified in Chapter 2, a study evaluating the utility of Py-GC-MS to measure mass-based concentrations of NP and MP contamination of an Australian food basket and to estimate dietary exposure for the Australian population was conducted as part of Chapter 3. This investigation found accelerated…
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