New study finds that we’re drinking microplastics

An alarming study from the U.K., where researchers tested different hot and cold beverages for microplastics, found the tiny plastics in 100% of the beverages they tested, even those not packaged in plastic – further evidence that microplastics are everywhere.

Microplastics are small fragments of plastic less than 5 mm in diameter, or smaller than a grain of rice. Studies have shown that with increasing plastic consumption and waste, microplastics are everywhere, even inside our bodies and brains. Human ingestion of microplastics is linked to an array of health issues, including potential damage to our reproductive, digestive and pulmonary systems.

The new study from the University of Birmingham tested seven categories of beverages for microplastics: soft drinks, energy drinks, fruit juices, iced teas, hot teas, hot coffees and iced coffees. The results showed that regardless of packaging, all beverages tested contained microplastics. It also demonstrated several factors which lead to increased microplastic consumption:

• Heat – the study suggests that heat increases microplastic release from packaging materials. Therefore, hot beverages may pose a greater risk of microplastic exposure and ingestion than cold beverages.
• Carbonation – the study found that stress caused on the packaging by the presence of bubbles in soft drinks can lead to increased microplastic contamination.
• Acidity – the study found that bottled juices with high acidity may release higher volumes of microplastics into the liquid.

Thankfully, there are steps you can take to protect yourself from microplastics including avoiding plastic packaging for foods and cosmetics, filtering your air and water, and advocating for policies to reduce plastic pollution and waste.

Make your voice heard now by signing our petition calling on General Mills to eliminate plastic packaging.