How do I reduce my microplastic intake?
We’ve all got them inside of us…here’s how to consume less.
Remember how a few years ago we started talking about PFAS and trying to NOT get them into our bodies because they’re forever chemicals? It’s time for the microplastics talk.
They’re everywhere
Long story short, every organism on the planet (except tardigrades) contain traces of microplastics. We even recently learned that even plant leaves uptake microplastics from the air (which isn’t what we want to hear for crops whose leaves we eat like lettuce). While sweeping regulatory changes are needed, in the mean time there are things you can do for yourself. You cannot avoid them, but you can reduce your exposure.
Are they bad?
Studies show microplastics appearing in human organs, blood, breast milk…it’s inside us already but we don’t have perfect data that shows microplastic intake causing a disease. What that means is even though researchers probably have a good idea microplastics inside of us is not a good thing they don’t have the study data (either because they can’t get funding to do the research, or the studies are still happening/research papers are in review/etc) to make a direct causation claim. And if you start making statement claims, you get in trouble.
Right now, scientists think they do have some effect on the following:
Inflammation which is bad because we know inflammation is linked to several disease processes like some neurodegenerative disorders. A recent study specifically found that microplastic accumulation was higher in brains diagnosed with dementia.
Gut dysbiosis (remember me writing about my experience with this?) as well as cancer rates. Scientists believe microplastics cause an imbalance in the digestive system in turn causing damage to the colon’s mucosal layer.
Acting like a magnet for heavy metals, PFAs, and even “pathogenic bacteria”.
$#@!… So what now?
Over the past decade in our home, we had been making material/consumption choices that had put us on the right track (glass food storage, ‘clean’ beauty that doesn’t contain microplastic derivatives like little scrubbers in face wash). This year I made a few changes to make more of an impact. The actions I personally started taking this year are noted with an asterisk below.
How to reduce your micro plastic intake
No heating in plastic. Not even freezer foods whose instructions say to do it. Remove it from the container and place it in a bowl and cover it with a plate in the microwave to create a steam chamber that the plastic is attempting to do (or cook it on the stove top). This would obviously apply to sous vide cooking as well- something that really irks me as I went through a fairly intense sous vide stage a few years ago.
Reduce synthetic material purchasing (eg. clothing, carpets etc). Microplastics shed from these surfaces making their way onto your skin/ into the air you breathe. Also, DYK every time you wash synthetic clothing it releases a ton of microplastic into the waterways? It’s depressing.
*Probably TMI but I also went out of my way to source cardboard applicator tampons which used to be so easy to find but aren’t any more (I source mine from Lola online).
*Do not use plastic cutting boards for the majority of your cutting. I hefted out my giant wood Boos board and leave it on my counter now.
Avoid crushing ice in a plastic body blender. Researchers note that items with ’sharp’ edges will leave cuts and flake off plastic into whatever you’re making.
Avoid plastic waterbottles/pitchers.
* Do not use tea bags. Use loose tea. Not only is bulk tea a better price, but this goes back to the whole ‘do not heat plastic’ bit.
TL;DR: reduce plastic in high touch areas, reduce any exposure to heating plastic!
Don’t get me wrong, there’s no way this list is exhaustive. And sometimes it feels infuriating to know this is something to even worry about on top of everything else. I know I should switch floss from my current floss to something like Cocofloss (which is excellent by the way). I should probably buy milk in glass but it’s kind of a pain in the ass to know I have to go to one specific store to do that/return the bottle every time.
There is no way to do this perfectly, but I feel better knowing I’m trying. If anything, I’m trying to stay current on this topic, and this microplastics researcher in Germany is my favorite resource. She’s actually coming out with an app to help you learn more about microplastic sources in your life that I’m testing…stay tuned.
What do I need to know about in the health world?
FDA’s staffing cuts mean the food/drug supply is less inspected. Except writing to your representatives and expressing your concerns, there’s not a lot you personally can do about this except stay informed about recalls and use your best judgement if something feels off.
The FDA launched a chemical contaminants transparency tool. And as you can see from the article immediately above this one, there’s a lot of thematic discrepancy in actions at this time. This database is “intended to provide users with a list of contaminant levels in the food supply. The intention behind the database is to offer the American public ‘informed consent about what they are eating.’” If you go to the database you will clearly see there is absolutely no way the American public will be able to use this tool and understand what’s going on.
Lots of news about food dye over the past several months. Ginko Bioworks (US company) and Phytolon (Isreali company) partnership recently made a breakthrough on fermented food colors.
What do I need to know about in the food world?
The news I wanted: 7-11 is making over the American stores to be more like Japanese stores. If you have ever been to 7-11 in Japan or Denmark (sorry, those are my two frames of reference for this and both apply), they are AMAZING. Denmark’s 7-11 had fresh juices and gorgeous salad bowls. Japan’s had perfect Japanese snacks (onigiri, egg sandwiches!).
No surprise, but tariffs are impacting tea products (and a ton of other things) in the US.
Get ready to fall down a rabbit hole of researching Maggie’s: an elevated Buc’ees that according to
is “offering things like lattes on tap, pressed juices and ceremonial grade matcha…will also focus on working directly with emerging brands, kind of like Foxtrot.”
What’s something fun I should know about?
Fish shaped candles for summer al fresco dinners.
Shrinking on Apple TV. A very funny, slightly heartwarming watch about a therapist who really needs a therapist. Harrison Ford’s character is what I imagine real Harrison Ford is like and that brings me joy.
Oh boy, I really appreciate this article, Carlene, thank you! And you’re right, there already seem to be so many things to worry about.