Context:
Recently, FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) released the report “Impact of Microplastics and Nanoplastics on Human Health”.
Highlights of the Report:
- Microplastics and nano-plastics impact human and animal gut microbiomes as well as the environment.
- Exposure to plastic led to intestinal inflammation and gut dysbiosis (changes in the gut microbiome and microbiota).
- Microplastics found in water bottles and food items such as sugar, honey, sea salt, tea etc. have eventually deposited in human lung tissue, placenta etc.
- Plastics of hydrophobic nature adsorbs hydrophobic chemicals or persistent organic pollutants from the environment.
About Gut Microbiome:
- It is the totality of microorganisms, bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungi, and their collective genetic material present in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT).
- Roles –
- Nutrient and mineral absorption
- Synthesis of enzymes, vitamins and amino acids
- Production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)
Microbiome refers to the collection of genomes from all the microorganisms in the environment while Microbiota usually refers to microorganisms that are found within a specific environment.
About Microplastics:
- Plastics less than 5 millimeters in diameter.
- Plastic undergoes fragmentation caused by solar UV radiation, wind, currents, and other natural forces resulting in the formation of –
- Microplastics: Particles smaller than 5 mm
- Nanoplastics: Particles smaller than 100 nm
- 2 categories of microplastics –
- Primary Microplastics: Tiny particles designed for commercial use and microfibers shed from clothing and other textiles.
- Secondary Microplastics: Formed from the breakdown of larger plastics.
Source: Down to Earth
Consider the following pairs:
| Commonly used/consumed materials | Unwanted or controversial chemicals likely to be found in them | |
| 1. | Lipstick | Lead |
| 2. | Soft Drinks | Brominated vegetable oils |
| 3. | Chinese fast food | Monosodium glutamate |
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2018 Prelims]
- 1 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
