Particles of plastic 'damage our livers'

TINY bits of plastic and polystyrene in food may damage the liver and alter our metabolism.

- By Stephen Beech

Scientists say their findings "raise concerns" about health risks and urged more research.

When plastic breaks down it forms microparticles (less than five millimetres) and nanoparticles (less than 100 nanometres), which can end up in fish and other foods we eat.

Studies estimate a person may ingest 40,000 to 50,000 microplastic particles a year, with some estimating 10 million.