Amsterdam, 11 December 2018 – The threat of microplastics to our health and that of animals is probably far larger than we realized up to now. For the first time ever, research has shown that nanoparticles are quickly absorbed by marine organisms, in this case the king scallop (Pecten maximus). Previous lab studies were performed with far larger concentrations, but this time realistic conditions were taken into account, namely the concentration of nanoplastics that can be expected in the marine environment. The international research appeared in Environmental Science & Technology.
The researchers developed a new measuring method and even fabricated detectable nanoplastics (carbon radiolabeled nanopolystyrene). The results are truly alarming.
King scallops (St James shell, great scallop) are a well-loved food. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommend shellfish and crustaceans as a healthy choice. This recommendation does not yet take this new scientific insight into account.
Photo: Scan of nanoplastics, Plymouth University, UK
Good news! The winner of the Green Challenge of the broadcaster Omroep Max’s new TV programme Iedereen Kan Het! (anyone can do it!) has thought up a clever solution for single-use food packaging – packaging made of seaweed.
Nylon and polyester hinder the growth and recovery of our airways, scientists from the University of Groningen (Rijksuniversiteit Groningen), TNO, and Plymouth Marine Laboratory conclude in new research into the effects of microplastics and microfibers on our health.
European countries are part of the plastic pollution problem in South East Asian countries because shady dealers are free to do what they like. This was yet again the finding of a recent broadcast by Pointer in cooperation with investigative journalists (in Dutch).
By 2025, Dutch supermarkets promise to use 20% less plastic packaging material than in 2017. According to this promise, by 2021 we would be at around 10%.
Protection from toxic chemicals in plastic fails