Biodegradable plastic bags can harm your organs: How they enter bodies; solutions

Biodegradable plastic bags have been widely used as a safe alternative to plastic carry bags that could be harmful to the environment. Unlike regular plastic bags, they are biodegradable and decompose in the soil. However, experts warn that using starch-based biodegradable plastic bags may adversely affect health. New studies have revealed that these bags could be harmful to the body and cause various health risks.

How they enter bodies
The chemicals used to make biodegradable plastic bags release toxins that pose a serious threat. Here’s how they can enter bodies
1) Through the biodegradable plastic wraps you use to pack food
2) Contaminated water supplies, drinks, foods
3) IV infusions
Using cloth bags or other traditional bag options made of leaves, wood, jute, and the like would be the safest.

How they affect us
1) They can damage the liver and ovaries
2) Create metabolic issues
3) Mess with our glucose management
4) Alter circadian rhythms

The research
The researchers at the South East University in China have raised caution that biodegradable plastic may cause several health problems. The scientists had researched rats that consumed biodegradable plastic molecules. These rats were diagnosed with damaged livers and ovaries. Professor Yongfeng Deng of the research team said that the common perception that plastic containing biodegradable starch was safe and harmless was false.

Scientists had done the study by dividing the rats into three groups. The first group of rats were fed regular food while the remaining two groups were given food containing biodegradable plastic molecules. These rats were then observed for three months. Rats that had been consuming food containing microplastics developed internal organ damage, including the liver and ovaries. Meanwhile, the researchers stated that more studies are required to understand how biodegradable molecules are broken down in the body.