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Microplastics as Emerging Food Contaminants: A Challenge for Food Safety

Author

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  • Carmen Rubio-Armendáriz

    (Grupo de Investigación en Toxicología Alimentaria y Ambiental, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain)

  • Samuel Alejandro-Vega

    (Grupo de Investigación en Toxicología Alimentaria y Ambiental, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain)

  • Soraya Paz-Montelongo

    (Grupo de Investigación en Toxicología Alimentaria y Ambiental, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain)

  • Ángel J. Gutiérrez-Fernández

    (Grupo de Investigación en Toxicología Alimentaria y Ambiental, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain)

  • Conrado J. Carrascosa-Iruzubieta

    (Grupo de Investigación en Toxicología Alimentaria y Ambiental, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
    Departamento de Patología Animal, Producción Animal, Bromatología y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), 35001 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain)

  • Arturo Hardisson-de la Torre

    (Grupo de Investigación en Toxicología Alimentaria y Ambiental, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain)

Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) have been identified as emerging environmental pollutants classified as primary or secondary based on their source. Composition, shape, size, and colour, among other characteristics, are associated with their capacity to access the food chain and their risks. While the environmental impact of MPs has received much attention, the risks for humans derived from their dietary exposure have not been yet assessed. Several institutions and researchers support that the current knowledge does not supply solid data to complete a solid risk characterization of dietary MPs. The aim of this paper is to review the current knowledge about MPs in foods and to discuss the challenges and gaps for a risk analysis. The presence of MPs in food and beverages has been worldwide observed, but most authors considered the current data to be not only insufficient but of questionable quality mainly because of the outstanding lack of consensus about a standardized quantifying method and a unified nomenclature. Drinking water, crustaceans/molluscs, fish, and salt have been identified as relevant dietary sources of MPs for humans by most published studies. The hazard characterization presents several gaps concerning the knowledge of the toxicokinetic, toxicodynamic, and toxicity of MPs in humans that impede the estimation of food safety standards based on risk. This review provides a tentative exposure assessment based on the levels of MPs published for drinking water, crustaceans and molluscs, fish, and salt and using the mean European dietary consumption estimates. The intake of 2 L/day of water, 70.68 g/day of crustaceans/molluscs, 70.68 g/day of fish, and 9.4 g/day of salt would generate a maximum exposure to 33,626, 212.04, 409.94 and 6.40 particles of MPs/day, respectively. The inexistence of reference values to evaluate the MPs dietary intake prevents the dietary MPs risk characterization and therefore the management of this risk. Scientists and Food Safety Authorities face several challenges but also opportunities associated to the occurrence of MPs in foods. More research on the MPs characterization and exposure is needed bearing in mind that any future risk assessment report should involve a total diet perspective.

Suggested Citation

  • Carmen Rubio-Armendáriz & Samuel Alejandro-Vega & Soraya Paz-Montelongo & Ángel J. Gutiérrez-Fernández & Conrado J. Carrascosa-Iruzubieta & Arturo Hardisson-de la Torre, 2022. "Microplastics as Emerging Food Contaminants: A Challenge for Food Safety," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-14, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:3:p:1174-:d:729989
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Claudia Campanale & Carmine Massarelli & Ilaria Savino & Vito Locaputo & Vito Felice Uricchio, 2020. "A Detailed Review Study on Potential Effects of Microplastics and Additives of Concern on Human Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-26, February.
    2. Jung-Hwan Kwon & Jin-Woo Kim & Thanh Dat Pham & Abhrajyoti Tarafdar & Soonki Hong & Sa-Ho Chun & Sang-Hwa Lee & Da-Young Kang & Ju-Yang Kim & Su-Bin Kim & Jaehak Jung, 2020. "Microplastics in Food: A Review on Analytical Methods and Challenges," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-23, September.
    3. Sunusi Usman & Ahmad Faizal Abdull Razis & Khozirah Shaari & Mohammad Noor Azmai Amal & Mohd Zamri Saad & Nurulfiza Mat Isa & Muhammad Farhan Nazarudin & Syaizwan Zahmir Zulkifli & Jumria Sutra & Musa, 2020. "Microplastics Pollution as an Invisible Potential Threat to Food Safety and Security, Policy Challenges and the Way Forward," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-24, December.
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