Microplastic found in sugar!

A group of researchers from Jahangirnagar University has recently found the presence of various types of microplastics in packed and unpacked sugar sold in the markets of Bangladesh. A research article, published in the journal titled Science of the Total Environment on May 10, 2022, says that about on an average 343.7 black, pink, blue and brown microplastic particles are present in a kilogram of sugar, available in Dhaka. The article also says that people across Bangladesh consume about 10.2 tonnes of microplastics every year through sugar. In addition to microplastics, the sugar samples might also contain nanoplastics. Both microplastics and nanoplastics are believed to cause serious impacts on human health.
With the ever-increasing use of polymers worldwide, there is no room to ignore the issue of microplastics. Since we do not yet have much information about the effects of microplastics on the human body, there is a need for increased research on its effects. Many scientists, however, believe that microplastics exposure can cause toxicity through oxidative stress, inflammatory lesions, risk of metabolic disturbances, neurotoxicity, and increased cancer risk in humans. So, we should think of alternatives to plastics to save us and our environment.

Badsha Faysal,
Jurain, Dhaka,
badshafaysal1998@gmail.com