Health Hazard of Plastic: Assessing the Knowledge Level Among Street Food Sellers and Customers in Delta State,Nigeria

Abstract

The use of plastic in food packaging is growing rapidly. Chemical compounds incorporated within the plastic polymer to improve its functionality have been linked to adverse health concerns. This study examines the knowledge status of street food sellers and customers on the human health concerns posed by plastic in food packaging and portion size vending. A simple questionnaire was developed and administered one on one to the target population. Collected data was then subjected to analysis using SPSS version 20. Finding on socio-demographic characterization reveal that 97.3% of the street food sellers (n = 150) were female while 68.7% of the customers (n=150) were male. The study further reveals that all the street food sellers (100%) use plastic for food packaging or portion size vending while Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) accounts for 58% of the total plastics used. Knowledge status reveals no knowledge of adverse health risk associated with plastic by the food sellers while customer’s knowledge level was generally poor although significantly (p < 0.05) better compared to that of the street food sellers. Intervention strategies targeted at informing and educating the public on the adverse human health concerns of plastic (principally bisphenol A and Phthalate) and parameters that accelerate the leaching of the chemicals into the food is hereby recommended

Keywords: Plastics, Additives, Packaging, Food, health