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Microplastic Contamination in the Human Gastrointestinal Tract and Daily Consumables Associated with an Indonesian Farming Community
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Researchers detected microplastics in 7 out of 11 stool samples from members of a farming community in East Java, Indonesia, with polypropylene being the most common polymer type. They also found microplastic contamination in the community's daily consumables including drinking water, tofu, and salt. The study provides some of the first data on human microplastic exposure in an Indonesian rural population.
Plastic is one of the most abundant pollutants in the environment. As a result of natural physical processes, large plastic waste is degraded into microsized particles (<5 mm) called microplastics. Because of their size, abundance, and durability, microplastics are widely distributed in the environment, contaminating food and water intended for human consumption. The extent of microplastic contamination in the human body is still unclear because there are few studies concerning microplastic contamination in human specimens and, in most studies, data were collected from city dwellers. Despite having the fourth largest population and being the fourth largest plastic waste producer in the world and second largest plastic polluter in the ocean, there are currently no data with respect to microplastic exposure for the Indonesian population. Several studies have reported on microplastic contamination in seafood and freshwater organisms from Indonesia, and it is likely that microplastics have contaminated the gastrointestinal tracts of Indonesians. Using Raman spectroscopy, we detected microplastic contamination in 7 out of 11 analyzed stool samples collected from a farming community in the highland village of Pacet, East Java, Indonesia. Polypropylene (PP) was the most abundant and prevalent type of microplastic observed, and it was found in four of the positive samples with an average concentration of 10.19 microgram per gram of feces (μg/g). Microplastics were also detected at high concentrations in tempeh (soybean cake, a staple protein source for Indonesians), table salts, and toothpaste, which were regularly consumed and used by the study participants. PP was particularly high in table salts (2.6 μg/g) and toothpaste (15.42 μg/g), suggesting that these products might contribute to the gastrointestinal contamination in the studied population. This pilot study indicated microplastic contamination in the rural Indonesian population and in their daily consumables, demonstrating the far-reaching extent of microplastic pollution beyond urban areas.
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Microplastic Contamination in Human Stools, Foods, and Drinking Water Associated with Indonesian Coastal Population
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Researchers detected microplastics in the stool samples of more than half of the fishing community members tested in coastal Indonesia, with high-density polyethylene being the most common type found. Microplastics were also found in the seafood, staple foods, drinking water, table salt, and toothpaste regularly consumed by these participants. The study provides direct evidence that microplastics are entering the human body through multiple everyday sources in coastal populations.
Source of Microplastic Pollution Within Human Stool in the Surabaya River Basin Area
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Researchers examined microplastic content in human stool samples from ten individuals living in the Surabaya River basin area of East Java, Indonesia, to identify pollution sources from daily activities. The study found microplastics present in human fecal samples and traced probable contamination pathways linked to the heavily polluted Surabaya River, a tributary of the Brantas River serving as Surabaya city's raw water source.
Characteristics and Abundance of Microplastics in the Feces of Communities on the Banks of the Musi River, Palembang
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Researchers collected fecal samples from 50 residents living along the Musi River in Palembang, Indonesia, and analyzed them for microplastic characteristics and abundance. Microplastics were detected in human feces, with patterns linked to fish consumption and use of river water, providing direct evidence of human exposure via diet and water.
Identification of microplastics in water in the Sukolilo Coastal Area, Bangkalan Regency, East Java
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Researchers sampling coastal waters in Bangkalan, East Java found microplastic concentrations averaging 4.32 particles per liter, with fiber, fragment, and film shapes present in a range of sizes and colors. These elevated levels in a coastal area highlight the ongoing contamination of Indonesian marine environments and the potential for microplastics to enter seafood consumed locally.
The presence of microplastics in the Indonesian environment and its effects on health
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This systematic review examines microplastic contamination across Indonesian environments, including water, soil, and seafood. The findings confirm that microplastics are present throughout the country's ecosystems and may affect human health through contaminated food and water, which is especially concerning for coastal communities that rely heavily on seafood.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.