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By Lucy Notarantonio
Senior Reporter
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Microplastics are everywhere—lurking in the water we drink, the air we breathe and even the clothes we wear. These tiny plastic particles, often invisible to the naked eye, are an alarming byproduct of modern life and are making their way into our bodies in ways we may not even realize.
"Eliminating plastic use entirely from our daily lives will be extremely challenging," Dr Nhan Nguyen, a medical doctor, told Newsweek.
To understand the hidden risks and uncover practical solutions, we spoke to Nguyen and biology director Aidan Charron. Charron identified five everyday items you should ditch to help you reduce microplastics in your life.
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Newsweek previously explored foods high in plastic chemicals and ways to reduce microplastic consumption—tiny particles formed when larger plastics break down. These particles often carry harmful chemical additives, including Bisphenol A (BPA), a compound used in food containers and linked to hormone disruption; phthalates, chemicals that make plastics flexible and are associated with reproductive issues; and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a plastic found in packaging that can release toxic compounds during degradation.
Nguyen, who is also a per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) injury attorney, based in Houston, Texas, explained that many common household items contain microplastics and PFAS, also known as forever chemicals. They have been linked to reproduction issues, cancers including those of the prostate and kidney, and reducing the body's immune system to fight infections, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Chemicals and plastics can only enter the body through inhalation, ingestion or direct contact, so being mindful of what common, everyday items may allow for exposure through these routes can really make a difference.
He told Newsweek: "The most effective and best steps individuals can take to reduce their microplastic and PFAS chemical exposure, and live a plastic-free lifestyle as possible, is to increase their own awareness and education on the issue and make better decisions on purchasing habits.
"Becoming more aware of what is around the body and therefore knowledge of what can enter the body can really reduce exposure and related health risk."
5 Small Steps to Limit Plastic Consumption
While you can't avoid plastic entirely, there's things you can do to limit your plastic consumption.
Charron, the director of End Plastic Initiatives at Earthday.org in Washington, D.C., has shared the following items that you should throw away:
- Plastic water bottles – "We think that single use plastic should be banned asap - certainly by 2040 - as we know single use plastics not only drive a huge pollution problem and kills wildlife but also impacts human health. A recent study found 240 000 nano plastics in a single bottle of water."
- **Plastic containers for microwave use: "**We advise that people not to do this, even when the manufacturer says it's 'microwaveable plastic,' consumer should know that the chemicals used in the making of this plastic can leach directly into your food. There should be warning labels letting consumers know this at the very least."
- **Kitchenware - "**Any plastic that we cook with, whatever color it is by the way - be it plastic spatulas or cooking utensils, pans coated in non-stick chemicals, typically polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), can leach into your food. Plus, be mindful of storing food in plastic containers, again the plastic chemicals can leach into the food inside especially if it is fatty or oily food, as plastics are fat soluble. So, dump plastic in favor of glass containers, and non-stick pans and good old fashioned wooden utensils!"
- Replace toiletries - "It is often very hard to even know what is in your toiletries as the labeling is obtuse. Plus, the plastic packaging used in the beauty and personal-care market creates vast amounts of plastic pollution. In 2018, 7.9 billion rigid units of plastic packaging were created in the U.S. alone!"
- Avoid wearing polyester: "All plastic is made from oil and a mix of chemicals, even our textiles. Nylon and polyester, both synthetic fibers, now help to make up almost 70 percent of our clothing. Nylon and polyester are both plastic materials and that means they leach plastic micro-fibers into the air that you can then inhale. They also help to create plastic household dust (which babies when they crawl are especially likely to inhale)."
Is there a health issue that's worrying you? Let us know via health@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
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