A new study that included 109 countries, conducted by researchers at Cornell University, revealed which peoples are most vulnerable to absorbing microplastics.
The study, published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, relies on existing data models to estimate the amount of microplastics that humans ingest and inhale without realizing it, as a result of the decomposition and spread of untreated plastic waste in the environment.
The researchers took into account country-specific eating habits, food processing techniques, age demographics and respiratory rates, factors that influence the amount of microplastics consumed by each region's population.
“Comprehensive global mapping supports local pollution mitigation efforts by enhancing water quality monitoring and efficient waste recycling,” said Fengqi Yu, a professor of energy systems engineering at Cornell University.
The study examines each country's eating habits, food processing techniques, age demographics and respiratory rates, all of which contribute to differences in how each country's population consumes microplastics.
The study says that those living in Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines top the global list of per capita dietary absorption (in the diet) of microplastics, while China, Mongolia and the United Kingdom top the list of countries that breathe and ingest the most microplastics unintentionally. He meant.
In general, the study revealed that Malaysia and Indonesia are the two countries that consume the largest amount of microplastics per month, about 15 grams, more than any other country, with the majority of plastic particles coming from water sources such as seafood.
The Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand and Laos are also among the ten countries that consume the largest amount of microplastics per month, while countries such as Paraguay, Pakistan, Syria, Bolivia and Venezuela record the lowest consumption rate.
On the other hand, Mongolia and China top the list of countries that breathe in the most microplastic particles, as they inhale more than 2.8 million particles per month, and the population of the United States inhales about 300,000 particles per month, while the countries of the Mediterranean and neighboring regions breathe less, as countries such as Spain and Portugal breathe in less. Hungary produces about 60,000 to 240,000 particles per month.
Something must be done about it.
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