Patterns of plastic food container use as potential sources of MNP exposure: a latent class analysis approach

Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) can enter the human body through various sources, with the consumption of foods and beverages in plastic containers being one of the major contributors. Exposure to MNPs can vary based on the frequency of consumption and specific storage and use practices. Although prior research has linked individual behaviors to increased MNP release, little is known about how these consumption and use behaviors cluster across populations. Using data from the 2023 Nebraska Annual Social Indicators Survey (n = 1,454), we conducted Latent Class Analysis to identify subgroups based on six behaviors: drinking from water bottles or refillable plastic bottles, consuming other plastic-packaged beverages, using disposable cups for hot drinks, microwaving beverages in plastic containers, and storing plastic bottles in heat or sunlight. Multinomial logistic regression was then used to examine the associations between individual sociodemographic factors, awareness of MNP exposure, and latent class membership. Four distinct classes emerged: “Conservative Users” (25%, low use across all behaviors), “Portable Beverage Users” (42%, high use of bottled beverages), “Frequent Disposable Cup Users” (24%, high use of disposable cups for hot drinks), and “Universal” (9%, high frequency across all behaviors). Lack of awareness of MNP exposure risks was a predictor of membership in the Portable Beverage and Universal classes. Additionally, being employed and having poor health were associated with membership in the Portable Beverage class, while marital status and education were associated with membership in the Frequent Disposable Cup Users class. Our findings indicate that behaviors related to the use of plastic food and beverage containers are heterogeneous across the population. Lack of awareness of MNP risks, along with sociodemographic factors such as employment, health status, marital status, and education, are important predictors of higher-risk class membership. These results suggest that interventions to reduce MNP exposure should go beyond raising awareness and also address structural and lifestyle factors influencing the use of plastic containers.