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Microplastic contamination in commercial and traditional dairy products: occurrence, characteristics, and potential risk
Summary
Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in 15 widely consumed dairy products from Bangladesh, including industrial and traditional items. The study found microplastic concentrations ranging from about 1,600 to over 5,100 particles per kilogram, with fibers and polyethylene being the dominant types largely attributed to packaging. Estimated daily intakes varied significantly by age, with children facing higher exposure per body weight than adults.
This study investigates the occurrence, characteristics, and potential health risks of microplastics (MPs) in fifteen widely consumed dairy products from Bangladesh, including industrial and traditional items. Abundances (MPs/kg) ranged from 1643 ± 94 in strawberry yogurt to 5143 ± 120 in mango milk; among solids, industrial yogurt (4616 ± 103) and milk powder (4159 ± 86) were the most contaminated. Fibers dominated (78-90 %), and polyethylene (68-73 %) plus polypropylene (17-20 %) together accounted for over 88 % of polymers. The diversity integrated index (DII) revealed higher heterogeneity in liquids (up to 0.56) than in solids (as low as 0.32). Hierarchical clustering separated industrial products from flavored and traditional ones, and principal component analysis distinguished packaging-derived polymers from process-related polymers. Contamination factor, pollution load index, and Nemerow pollution index classifications indicated moderate to high pollution in most samples. Polymeric hazard index (8.6-19.3) reflected variation in toxic polymer content. Estimated daily intakes varied significantly-children from 2.60 to 75.08 MP/kg.day and adults from 0.78 to 22.52 MP/kg.day-highlighting age-dependent exposure. These findings underscore the pervasive presence of MPs in dairy products, driven by packaging and processing, and call for standardized mitigation strategies to safeguard consumer health.
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