Starch-based Bioplastic possibly as toxic as petroleum based plastic.

According to a recent peer-reviewed study, starch-based bioplastic, which is marketed as sustainable and biodegradable, has the potential to be just as hazardous as petroleum-based plastic and can result in comparable health issues. Bioplastics, which are frequently created from plant-based materials like cornstarch, rice starch, or sugar, have been hailed as the plastic of the future since they decompose more quickly than petroleum-based plastic.

Among other health problems, the current study discovered alterations in glucose levels and gut microbial imbalances that might cause cardiovascular disease, organ damage, and metabolic abnormalities. In a press release, research co-author Yongfeng Deng stated, “Biodegradable starch-based plastics may not be as safe and health-promoting as originally assumed.” “Considering their potential for ingestion by accident, this is especially concerning.”

Despite being promoted as a safer substitute, bioplastics don’t decompose as quickly as the industry has stated, according to earlier studies. In the meantime, nothing is known about the toxicity of the substance. Similar to plastics derived from petroleum, bioplastics can shed and transform into micro-bioplastics. For instance, when clothing is washed, it may shed large amounts of bioplastics, which can then find their way into food and water.

澱粉基生物塑膠的毒性可能與石油基塑膠相當。根據最近一項同行評審的研究，澱粉基生物塑膠雖然被宣傳為可持續且可生物降解，但其危險性可能與石油基塑膠相當，並可能導致類似的健康問題。生物塑膠通常由玉米澱粉、米澱粉或糖等植物性材料製成，由於其分解速度比石油基塑膠更快，被譽為未來的塑膠。

除了其他健康問題外，這項研究還發現了血糖水平的變化和腸道菌群失衡，這可能導致心血管疾病、器官損傷和代謝異常。研究合著者鄧永鋒在一份新聞稿中表示：“可生物降解的澱粉基塑料可能並不像最初設想的那樣安全和有益健康。” “考慮到它們可能被意外攝入，這一點尤其令人擔憂。”

儘管生物塑膠被宣傳為更安全的替代品，但根據先前的研究，其分解速度並不像業界所說的那麼快。目前，人們對該物質的毒性尚不清楚。與石油衍生的塑膠類似，生物塑膠會脫落並轉化為微生物塑膠。例如，衣物洗滌時可能會脫落大量生物塑料，這些生物塑料隨後會進入食物和水體。

Source: aabms.pk