Tiny Threats: Unveiling the Dangers of Microplastic Ingestion in Infants and Toddlers

Imagine this: you're carefully preparing your baby's meal or drink, ensuring healthy ingredi

ents with little to no salt or sugar, and every utensil sterilised. Yet, unbeknownst to you, the very container you're using might be leaching billions of microscopic plastic particles into your child's food. It's not a dystopian fiction; it's the unsettling reality revealed by a study from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Researchers discovered that microwaving plastic baby food containers can release up to 4.22 million microplastic and 2.11 billion nanoplastic particles per square centimetre within just three minutes. These particles, invisible to the naked eye, infiltrate the food and milk we give to our most precious loved ones.

But the story doesn't end there. The study also revealed that even storing food in these containers at room temperature or in the refrigerator over extended periods can result in the release of millions to billions of microplastics and nanoplastics.

But what are the implications of these findings? An in vitro study assessing cell viability showed that the extracted microplastics and nanoplastics from the plastic containers can cause the death of 76.70% and 77.18% of human embryonic kidney cells after 48 and 72 hours of exposure, respectively.

The concern intensifies when considering infants' exposure. Research indicates that bottle-fed babies may consume more than 1.5 million microplastic particles per day on average. This exposure is far higher than previously thought and also affects plastic food containers. The Guardian+2NPR+2Reddit+2The Guardian

So, what can be done?

1. When storing food, try and store the food in different containers such as glass, bamboo, stainless steel tins, wax food wraps.

2. When heating food/liquids in the microwave, do so in microwave- safe ceramic bowls/plates etc.

3. Provide your toddler/baby with plastic free drinking/eating utensils, such as a stainless steel bottle or bamboo eating sets.

In conclusion, while plastics have become an integral part of our daily lives due to their convenience, it's imperative to be aware of their potential hidden dangers, especially concerning our children's health. By making informed choices and opting for safer alternatives, we can take proactive steps to protect our children from the unseen threats lurking in everyday items.

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For more information contact: info@scarabtrust.org.uk