In a hurry of everyday life, many resort to plastic cutting boards for their lightness, durability and affordable price. However, recent studies raise serious doubts about the safety of this seemingly harmless habit. The investigation suggests that only with the use of this type of board, a person can ingest up to 50 grams of microplastics per year, equivalent to the weight of ten credit cards.
In one of the most cited works, published in the Scientific Journal of Science & Technology, the investigators tested the impact of the plastics and polypropylene tablets, two of the most common plastics. The conclusions impress: During daily food preparation, it is possible to release millions of invisible particles, which are eaten without realizing it.
Although invisible to the human eye, these particles can accumulate in the body. Previous studies had already revealed the presence of microplastics in the blood, lungs and even in the placenta. This new data, coming directly from the kitchen bench, puts the theme once again on the agenda.
Fragments released in the cutting of food
Behind this discovery is the analysis of the number of microplastics released during the cut of vegetables in a Nova Tábua. In the case of polyethylene, they were detected between 14 and 71 million particles per year; In the case of polypropylene, the number went up to about 79 million. An amount that, added over the months, far surpasses what many would imagine being ingesting.
Scientists explain that the main cause of this contamination is the constant friction of the knife on the board surface, releasing tiny plastic fragments. And even if these pieces are microscopic, they do not go unnoticed to the organism, which accumulates them silently.
The concern is not new. In previous investigations, microplastic particles had already been detected in plastic fish, cut -cut meat and even sea salt. What changes now is the scale: the cutting board, present in virtually all kitchens, appears as one of the most direct sources of exposure.
For investigators, it is important for consumers to be informed and make conscious decisions. Although there is no specific regulation on the household use of these boards, the available data point to the need for precaution.
Safer alternatives
Opt for wood, bamboo or stainless steel can be a safer alternative. In addition to being more resistant to cutting, these materials do not release microplastics during everyday use. The exchange may seem like a detail, but researchers ensure that it will make long -term difference.
“We estimate that a person can ingest between 7.4 GE 50.7 g of microplastics a year with the use of polyethylene boards and about 49.5 g with polypropylene boards,” the study of. In practical terms, there are ten credit cards diluted over a year.
Although the real impact of microplastics on health is still being studied, many experts defend the principle of precaution. Long-term effects, they say, may take years to manifest, but silent accumulation is real.
The kitchen, central space in family life, can also be a point of entry for unwanted substances. This discovery recalls that often the simplest choices, such as the type of board, can have unexpected consequences.
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