Microplastics—tiny plastic particles less than 5mm in size—have become a growing concern due to their widespread presence and potential risks to health and the environment. These particles originate from sources like degraded plastic waste, synthetic fibers, and even everyday items like tea bags.
How are microplastics getting into our bodies?
- Our food often comes packaged and layered in plastic, which leaches. Studies show that highly processed foods are associated with higher levels of phthalates, which are chemicals that make plastic more flexible.
- Microplastics also enter our body through direct ingestion: we eat them. There is a lot of plastic within marine environments, which fish, shellfish and other animals mistakenly consume. When we eat seafood, we also may end up eating the plastic.
- Plastic is also used in a variety of ways on farms. Polyurethane mulch films are used to cover the soil and plastic irrigation tubes provide water to crops.
- Recent studies reveal alarming facts: brewing tea in plastic tea bags can release billions of microplastic particles into the beverage. Among the materials tested—polypropylene, nylon, and cellulose—polypropylene bags shed the most particles. Once ingested, these particles can be absorbed by intestinal cells, raising health concerns.
- Microplastics, typically nano plastic, are commonly found in bottled and tap water. One study found an average of around 240,000 particles of nano plastic in a liter of bottled water.
- Microplastic is light and can easily become airborne. A recent study found that microplastics were found in the olfactory bulb, which is located at the base of the brain, next to the nasal cavity where you breathe. This hints to a potential pathway for plastic to enter our bodies through our breath.
- Skin is our largest organ. Chemical additives from plastics can enter our body through our skin. This could be through the use of cosmetics or through contact with plastic-containing clothing.
Tips to help limit your exposure to microplastic
Reduce the amount of plastic in your day-to-day life. Make an inventory of plastic in your home. Are your clothes made of plastic? What about the sponges you use to scrub your dishes? How about your cutting board? Think through what plastic items in your life and home could be replaced by another material or cut out of your life altogether.
Don’t heat food in plastic. Use a non-plastic plate or glass container when using a microwave. Try to store leftovers in glass or metal containers.
Clean frequently. Dust in our homes can contain microplastics, so cleaning frequently can help prevent microplastic exposure. Vacuuming is found to be more effective at preventing microplastic inhalation than sweeping.
Reduce consumption of processed foods. Microplastics have been found in a higher concentration in processed foods. Avoid canned food with plastic liners.
Filter your tap water. Filtering water can help with minimizing microplastic, but do your homework. Not all filters are the same and some can add microplastic to your water.
Avoid plastic-containing cosmetics. A study of over 7,000 products from the four largest cosmetic producers in Europe found that nine out of ten products contained microplastic.
Be selective with seafood. Microplastic accumulates within the stomach of animals. Plastic also moves through marine environments through the food chain. If a fish eats a fish that ate plastic that plastic gets passed along meaning they become more concentrated and more toxic as they move up the food chain.
Shift to reusables. Using reusable coffee mugs, water bottles, takeout containers and grocery bags can help reduce your use of single-use plastic and therefore reduce your potential exposure to microplastic.
Don’t buy bottled water. Because bottled water is packaged in a plastic bottle, there’s a risk that the plastic will degrade and flake off into the water.
Policy and Innovation: Governments and organizations must prioritize reducing plastic production, promoting reusable alternatives, and enhancing transparency around plastic chemicals. Investment in research is critical to understanding and addressing the crisis.
Advocate for federal, state and local laws which reduce single-use plastic and promote producer responsibility.
Avoid excessive clothes washing. Washing causes clothes to degrade, and with that shed microfibers, which is problematic when it comes to synthetic fibers that then go into water systems.
Maintain proper tire pressure on your car. Maintaining proper tire pressure helps for them to wear down less quickly. Better yet, ride a bike or take public transport.
Health Concerns
Microplastics have been detected in human blood, brain tissue, and even reproductive organs. Exposure has been linked to conditions like asthma, increased stroke risk, and heart attacks. However, the full extent of their impact remains uncertain, underscoring the need for extensive research.
Environmental Impact
The reach of microplastics extends to some of the planet’s most remote locations, from Mount Everest to the depths of the Mariana Trench. Marine ecosystems are particularly vulnerable, with species across the food chain being affected.
Microplastics are an invisible yet pervasive threat. By making informed decisions and supporting sustainable initiatives, we can reduce risks to our health and environment while paving the way for a cleaner, healthier future.
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