Inani eliyisimanga le-Microplastics ekupakisheni kokudla kwendabuko
Kwadalwa ngo 08.06
Ithuba lokuba khona kwe-microplastics ezipakisheni zokudla zendabuko ngempela liyashaqa futhi liyinkinga enkulu ephumayo kwezempilo/nemvelo. Nansi ukuhlaziywa kwalokho esikukwazi:
1. Ubiquity of Plastic Packaging: Most traditional food packaging relies heavily on plastics: PET bottles, polystyrene (PS) containers, polypropylene (PP) lids and trays, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) bags, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) wraps, and multi-layer laminates.
2. Iindawo zeMicoplastics kwiPakeji:
- Physical Degradation: Scratches, abrasion, flexing, and opening/closing containers release tiny plastic fragments.
- Thermal Stress: Ukushisa ukudla ezitsheni zeplastiki (ukufaka emshinini wokushisa, ukugcwalisa okushisayo, ukuvezwa elangeni) kukhuthaza ukuwohloka kwe-polymer nokukhishwa.
- Chemical Degradation: Interaction with acidic, fatty, or salty foods can degrade plastic polymers.
- Ukwakha & Ukuphatha: I-microplastics ingaba khona njengothuli noma udoti oluvela ekwenzeni nasekuphatheni ngisho ngaphambi kokusetshenziswa.
3. Die Schockierenden Zahlen (Aktuelle Studien Heben Hervor):
- Tea Bags (Nylon/PET): A single plastic tea bag can release billions (around 11.6 billion) of microplastic and nanoplastic particles into a single cup when brewed at 95°C.
- Disposable Takeaway Containers (PS, PP): Izi zifundo zikhombisa ukuthi lezi zingakhulula ama-microplastic particles angamakhulu kuya kwezingu-100,000 ngaphezulu kokuphakelwa, ikakhulukazi uma zixhunywe emanzini ashisayo noma ukudla. Ukushisa emshinini wokushisa kukhuphula kakhulu ukukhululwa.
- Plastic Bottles (PET): Reusable PET bottles can shed hundreds to thousands of particles per liter, with numbers increasing significantly with wear and tear (scratches, squeezing). Single-use bottles also shed, though potentially less per use cycle.
- Plastic Lids & Caps (Often PP/PE): Interaction with hot liquids (e.g., coffee cups) releases thousands of particles per use.
- Plastic-lined Paper Cups: Iphakethe elincane le-plastiki lingashintsha ngezinto ezishisayo, likhulula ama-microplastics angamawaka amaningi ngephakethe.
- Infant Food Pouches: Concerns exist about microplastic shedding from the multi-layer plastic films, especially during squeezing and handling.
4. Kungani Lokhu Kukhathaza:
- Direkte Menslike Inname: Hierdie deeltjies kom in ons kos en drank, wat lei tot direkte verbruik. Die gemiddelde persoon neem waarskynlik tienduisende tot honderduisende mikroplastiekdeeltjies jaarliks in vanuit kos en drankbronne, met verpakking as 'n groot bydraer.
- Chemiese Verontreinigings: Mikroplastik kan skadelike omgewingsbesoedeling (soos PCB's, plaagdoders, swaar metale) absorbeer en bevat additiewe (plastifiseerders soos ftalate, BPA, vlamvertragers) wat uitlek. Hierdie chemikalieë is endokriene ontregters en potensiële kankerverwekkers.
- Unknown Long-Term Health Impacts: While definitive long-term human health studies are complex, evidence suggests microplastics cause inflammation, cellular damage, and can cross biological barriers (gut lining, placenta, blood-brain barrier) in lab models. The cumulative effect is a major concern.
- Persistence: Microplastics ha se na ho fetoha. Li lula tikolohong 'me li bokella ka har'a lijo, qetellong li khutlela ho batho.
- Ubiquity: Ba se fumanoa ka ho fumanoa maemong a mali, placenta, matsoele, stool, le lebese la nonyana.
5. Iziqhamo Eziyinhloko Eziphakamisa Ukukhathazeka:
- Hernandez et al. (2019) ku teabags (Nature Food).
- Zangmeister et al. (2022) ku zimpapero zine plastiki (Environmental Science & Technology).
- Du et al. (2020) ku containers ye takeaway (Journal of Hazardous Materials).
- Multiple studies analyzing microplastics in bottled water (e.g., Mason et al., Orb Media analysis).
- Ucwaningo luhlala luthola ama-microplastics ezicubu zabantu (isb., uLeslie et al., Environment International 2022 ngogazi; uRagusa et al., Environment International 2022 ngendawo yokukhulelwa).
Izixazululo & Ukuhamba Phambili:
1. Phumla iPlastiki: Gxila emathaleni, insimbi, i-ceramic, kanye nezinto ezithuthukisiwe zokuphila/ezihlanjululwayo (eziqinisekisiwe, ezingekho ku-plastiki ezifana ne-cellulose).
2. Verbeter verpakkingontwerp: Ontwikkel meer inerte, duurzame kunststoffen die minder geneigd zijn om af te schilferen. Verken effectieve barrièrecoatings voor papier/karton ter vervanging van plastic voeringen.
3. Iinketho zabathengi:
- Avoid heating food in plastic containers (transfer to glass/ceramic for microwaving).
- Minimiseer die gebruik van enkelgebruik plastiekverpakkings, veral vir warm kos/drank.
- Kies dranke in glas of metaalhouers.
- Gebruik herbruikbare flessen/containers van roestvrij staal of glas.
- Support companies investing in plastic-free packaging solutions.
4. Regulasie & Navorsing:
Izinhlaka zidinga imithetho eqinile yokusebenzisa ipulasitiki ezindaweni zokuxhumana nezokudla futhi zixhase ucwaningo oluphuthumayo mayelana nemiphumela empilweni. Izindinganiso zokuhlola ezithuthukisiwe zokukhishwa kwe-microplastic zibalulekile.
Ekuphetheni, inani elikhulu le-microplastics elikhishwe ezipakisheni zokudla zansuku zonke laphakathi kokudla esikudla futhi siphuza lihlolwe ngesisekelo sesayensi ukuthi likhulu kakhulu futhi libeka ingozi ebalulekile, kodwa engakakwenzi kahle, empilweni yomuntu nasezindaweni eziphilayo. Lokhu kuyisizathu esiqinile sokushesha sishintshe kude nezipakisheni zeplastiki zendabuko lapho kungenzeka khona.
Ray
Ferrill
Evelyn