According to Irish scientists, dairy products, especially cheeses, are strongly contaminated with microplastics. This is the first scientific evidence of the presence of these plastic particles in the cheese, while the measured values were also surprised by the researchers themselves. There are literally thousands in every kilogram.
Slovaks love cheeses (illustration photo).
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Scientists have found that The most contaminated are ripe cheeses, ie those that mature for more than four months. They contain an average of 1857 plastic particles per kilogram. By comparison, this is approximately 45 times more microplastics than in packaged water. Fresh cheeses contain 1280 particles per kilogram and the milk itself then 350 particles per kilogram.
The results of the analysis were published by the professional magazine Science of Food. Scientists from the University College Dublin and the University of Padova revealed that microplastics in dairy products are mainly made of PET polymers, polyethylene and polypropylene. This implies that the main sources of contamination are synthetic fabrics, protective work clothes (such as tires, gloves, hair mesh), filter systems, plastic material residues and air fibers.
Larger and irregular plastic fragments in the cheese are likely to come from the disintegration of plastic packaging, processing equipment or machine components. However, severe contamination may come Already from raw milk, ie from the uds of cows. Scientists have previously shown that The raw milk contains 190 microplastic particles per liter on average. Scientists warn that microplastics can also get into milk from cattle feed.
The impacts of microplastings on human health are still underdevelopedBut scientists have evidence that suggests serious health risks. Plastics contain chemicals that may be toxic or carcinogenic. In rodents, high doses of microlastics were observed by organ damage – including intestines, lungs, liver and reproductive system.
“Given the complexity of the milk industry and the extensive use of plastic materials throughout the production chain, it is crucial to understand the roads that the microplasts penetrate into dairy products to ensure food safety and assess possible health risks,“The authors said.
