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Evaluation of heavy metal content in plastic bags used as part of food cooking containers: a socio-educational sustainability perspective in Mozambique

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Resumo:In Mozambique, rudimentary food preparation practices are still common. A common habit is the use of plastic bags for preparing foods such as tubers, meat and rice, particularly among families with relatively low financial resources. These bags are often used because they are cheap, easy to handle, flexible and offer good thermal insulation. Nevertheless, the practice of using plastic bags in cooking raises serious public health concerns. This is due to the fact that many of these plastics contain heavy metals added during manufacturing to improve their physical and chemical properties. When heated, these metals can migrate into food, posing a significant health risk. Among the most worrying metals are cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni) and arsenic (As).
Autores principais:Nhanga, M. C.
Outros Autores:Nhapulo, S.; Carneiro, Joaquim A. O.; Costa, Manuel F. M.; Geraldo, Dulce
Assunto:Plastic Bags LDPE and HDPE Food Preparation Heavy Metals AAS Education for Sustainability Ciências Naturais::Ciências Físicas Educação de qualidade
Ano:2024
País:Portugal
Tipo de documento:capítulo de livro
Tipo de acesso:acesso aberto
Instituição associada:Universidade do Minho
Idioma:inglês
Origem:RepositóriUM - Universidade do Minho
Descrição
Resumo:In Mozambique, rudimentary food preparation practices are still common. A common habit is the use of plastic bags for preparing foods such as tubers, meat and rice, particularly among families with relatively low financial resources. These bags are often used because they are cheap, easy to handle, flexible and offer good thermal insulation. Nevertheless, the practice of using plastic bags in cooking raises serious public health concerns. This is due to the fact that many of these plastics contain heavy metals added during manufacturing to improve their physical and chemical properties. When heated, these metals can migrate into food, posing a significant health risk. Among the most worrying metals are cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni) and arsenic (As).