| Title |
Human Consumption of Microplastics
|
|---|---|
| Published in |
Environmental Science & Technology, June 2019
|
| DOI | 10.1021/acs.est.9b01517 |
| Pubmed ID | |
| Authors |
Kieran D. Cox, Garth A. Covernton, Hailey L. Davies, John F. Dower, Francis Juanes, Sarah E. Dudas |
| Abstract |
Microplastics are ubiquitous across ecosystems, yet the exposure risk to humans is unresolved. Focusing on the American diet, we evaluated the number of microplastic particles in commonly consumed foods in relation to their recommended daily intake. The potential for microplastic inhalation and how the source of drinking water may affect microplastic consumption were also explored. Our analysis used 402 data points from 26 studies, which represents over 3600 processed samples. Evaluating approximately 15% of Americans’ caloric intake, we estimate that annual microplastics consumption ranges from 39000 to 52000 particles depending on age and sex. These estimates increase to 74000 and 121000 when inhalation is considered. Additionally, individuals who meet their recommended water intake through only bottled sources may be ingesting an additional 90000 microplastics annually, compared to 4000 microplastics for those who consume only tap water. These estimates are subject to large amounts of variation; however, given methodological and data limitations, these values are likely underestimates. |
Twitter Demographics
The data shown below were collected from the profiles of 770 tweeters who shared this research output. Click here to find out more about how the information was compiled.
Geographical breakdown
| Country | Count | As % |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 101 | 13% |
| Canada | 45 | 6% |
| United Kingdom | 39 | 5% |
| Spain | 33 | 4% |
| Chile | 25 | 3% |
| France | 20 | 3% |
| Japan | 20 | 3% |
| Mexico | 17 | 2% |
| Germany | 13 | 2% |
| Other | 130 | 17% |
| Unknown | 327 | 42% |
Demographic breakdown
| Type | Count | As % |
|---|---|---|
| Members of the public | 620 | 81% |
| Scientists | 108 | 14% |
| Practitioners (doctors, other healthcare professionals) | 24 | 3% |
| Science communicators (journalists, bloggers, editors) | 15 | 2% |
| Unknown | 3 | <1% |
Mendeley readers
The data shown below were compiled from readership statistics for 2,200 Mendeley readers of this research output. Click here to see the associated Mendeley record.
Geographical breakdown
| Country | Count | As % |
|---|---|---|
| Unknown | 2200 | 100% |
Demographic breakdown
| Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
|---|---|---|
| Student > Bachelor | 278 | 13% |
| Student > Ph. D. Student | 259 | 12% |
| Student > Master | 241 | 11% |
| Researcher | 224 | 10% |
| Unspecified | 83 | 4% |
| Other | 286 | 13% |
| Unknown | 829 | 38% |
| Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Science | 275 | 13% |
| Agricultural and Biological Sciences | 158 | 7% |
| Chemistry | 149 | 7% |
| Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology | 132 | 6% |
| Engineering | 121 | 6% |
| Other | 437 | 20% |
| Unknown | 928 | 42% |
Attention Score in Context
This research output has an Altmetric Attention Score of 2587. This is our high-level measure of the quality and quantity of online attention that it has received. This Attention Score, as well as the ranking and number of research outputs shown below, was calculated when the research output was last mentioned on 21 September 2023.
All research outputs
#2,756
of 24,477,448 outputs
Outputs from Environmental Science & Technology
#6
of 19,960 outputs
Outputs of similar age
#32
of 357,140 outputs
Outputs of similar age from Environmental Science & Technology
#1
of 259 outputs
Altmetric has tracked 24,477,448 research outputs across all sources so far. Compared to these this one has done particularly well and is in the 99th percentile: it's in the top 5% of all research outputs ever tracked by Altmetric.
So far Altmetric has tracked 19,960 research outputs from this source. They typically receive a lot more attention than average, with a mean Attention Score of 17.6. This one has done particularly well, scoring higher than 99% of its peers.
Older research outputs will score higher simply because they've had more time to accumulate mentions. To account for age we can compare this Altmetric Attention Score to the 357,140 tracked outputs that were published within six weeks on either side of this one in any source. This one has done particularly well, scoring higher than 99% of its contemporaries.
We're also able to compare this research output to 259 others from the same source and published within six weeks on either side of this one. This one has done particularly well, scoring higher than 99% of its contemporaries.