PH among countries with high incidence of microplastic ingestion —study

Experts warned that the higher use of plastics by countries could result in an increased incidence of microplastic ingestion in the body.

According to research by Cornell University in May, Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines ingest the most microplastics among 109 countries in its study. 

But what are microplastics? 

In Mariz Umali’s report in “24 Oras” on Thursday, microplastics were described as plastic particles smaller than 5 millimeters that come in the form of fiber, fragments, or granules when plastic materials are crushed.

These tiny particles can be ingested by fishes and other sea creatures, which humans consume. 

“Meron tayong tinatawag na indirect ingestion. Bakit siya indirect ingestion? Kasi hindi natin kinakain yung mismong microplastics, bagamat kinakain natin yung mga kumakain dun sa microplastics,” said Department of Health spokesperson Albert Domingo. 

(We have what we call indirect ingestion. Why is it an indirect ingestion? Because we don’t directly ingest the microplastics, but we eat those that ingest them.) 

Based on World Bank estimates, the Philippines consumes up to 163 million pieces of plastic sachets per day and these add up to 2.3 million tons of plastic waste every year. 

However, only 28% of these plastic resins are recycled while the rest are thrown away. 

“Kung mas mataas yung populasyon mo na gumagamit ng plastics…may assumption na makakain mo din yung mga shavings mula doon,” said Deo Florence Onda, an associate professor from the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute. 

(If most of your population uses plastics…there’s an assumption that you could also ingest the shavings from them.) 

Onda shared that all the oysters they have collected for past research were all positive for microplastics. 

“Nangolekta kami ng 300 na talaba sa iba't ibang palengke sa buong Pilipinas, sa buong Luzon at saka Visayas, at nakita namin na 100% o lahat ng talaba na aming tinignan ay positibo sa microplastics,” he said. 

(We collected 300 oysters from various wet markets in the country, in Luzon and in Visayas, we found out that 100% or all of the oysters were positive for microplastics.) 

“Yung mga ganitong klase ng ebidensya, nagsasabi na sa atin na kailangan siguro na natin mag-worry,” Onda added. 

(This kind of evidence should be enough for us to worry.) 

Further, the DOH warned that ingesting microplastics could injure one’s digestive system. 

“May nakita silang mga posibleng effects sa ating intestinal lining dun sa mismong loob ng ating bituka. Dahil pag ang plastic ay pumunta dun, nagkakaroon ng tinatawag na inflammation,” said Domingo. 

(They found possible effects on our intestinal lining in our stomach. If the plastic reaches that part, there could be inflammation.) 

Experts advised the public to lessen their plastic waste and they are hoping that a law would entail a thorough study on the effects of microplastics. —Vince Ferreras/LDF, GMA Integrated News