How to Avoid Microplastics: Protect Your Health from Hidden Environmental Toxins

By now, you’ve seen the headlines: microplastics are found in our oceans, food, and bodies! These tiny plastic particles have infiltrated nearly every aspect of our environment, and research is revealing their potential to harm our health. While avoiding microplastics altogether is unrealistic, there are actionable steps you can take to minimize your exposure. Let’s dive a little deeper into the world of microplastics and discover how we can protect ourselves. 

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles, usually smaller than 5 millimeters, that have become a pervasive pollutant in our environment. These synthetic, high-molecular-weight compounds come in various shapes, such as fragments, films, fibers, and foam. Polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) are the most common types, making up about 67% of microplastics. The disturbing truth is that microplastics are everywhere. They have been found in our oceans, soil, air, drinking water, and food. Recent research has also identified them in human blood, lungs, placenta, and breast milk.  

Microplastics are formed through two main processes: 

1. Degradation: Larger plastic items break down into smaller pieces due to sunlight, heat, wind, and water exposure.
2. Manufacturing: Some microplastics are intentionally produced for use in products like cosmetics and cleaning agents. 

Microplastics are concerning due to their persistence in the environment and potential for harmful effects. They have a low biodegradation rate, meaning they don’t easily break down and can accumulate in the environment and within organisms. Microplastics can travel throughout the body via the vascular system and be deposited in various tissues, such as the gut, reproductive organs, and heart.  

Their small size allows them to be ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin, potentially leading to adverse health effects. Microplastics can also carry harmful chemicals, such as BPA (bisphenol A), phthalates, and PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and poly-fluoroalkyl).  

Despite the growing evidence of microplastic exposure, research on their direct impact on our health is still in its early stages. While numerous studies on animals and human cells have shown detrimental effects on various organs and systems, more research is needed to fully understand the long-term consequences of microplastic exposure in humans. 

 A recent study highlighted the potential for everyday plastic products to release trillions of even smaller plastic particles, called nanoplastics, into water when heated. This raises concerns as these particles are small enough to penetrate cells and potentially disrupt their function.  

While current FDA regulations address plastic mass loss from food-grade materials, specific tests for microplastic release in drinking water are lacking. This research emphasizes the need for further investigation and standardized testing to understand the full extent of microplastic exposure and its impact on human health.  

Studies like this suggest that microplastics can affect multiple systems in the human body. In the digestive system, it may cause an imbalance in the gut microbiome, potentially leading to gastrointestinal symptoms. Inhaled microplastics may trigger oxidative stress in the airways and lungs, resulting in respiratory problems.  

Furthermore, microplastics can disrupt the endocrine system, potentially leading to hormonal imbalances and various health issues. They can also act as carriers for toxins like heavy metals and organic pollutants, amplifying their harmful effects. Emerging evidence links microplastics to inflammation, oxidative stress, lipid metabolism disturbances, gut disruption, and even neurotoxicity. 

While eliminating microplastics is impossible, there are steps you can take to reduce your exposure:  

1. Cut Back on Bottled Water: Bottled water may be a significant source of microplastics. Consider carrying a reusable steel or glass bottle or tumbler when out and about. Tap water can also be a source of microplastics. Several water filter options are NSF/American National Standards Institute-certified to reduce microplastics.
   
   
2. Don’t Use Plastic to Store Food: Avoid storing food or liquids in plastic when possible. Minimize exposing plastic to high heat, sunlight, acids, and physical erosion. Save single-use plastics for non-food storage or reheating.
    
3. Don’t Microwave in Plastic: Use glass or ceramic containers for microwaving or heating food.
4. Don’t Use Plastic Cutting Boards: Plastic cutting boards can be a source of microplastics in your diet. Wood cutting boards are better for your knife blades and last longer when properly maintained.
5. Clean Your Air: Reducing airborne dust in your home may reduce exposure to inhaled microplastics. 

Microplastics are a pervasive and persistent pollutant with potential implications for human health. While research is ongoing, the available evidence suggests that we should be concerned about their presence in our bodies and the environment. By reducing our exposure and supporting further research, we can work towards a healthier future for ourselves and the planet.  

As research into microplastic exposure progresses, innovative treatment options are being explored. One promising avenue is therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE), a procedure that has already demonstrated efficacy in removing various toxins from the bloodstream, including heavy metals, pesticides, and certain chemicals. The potential of TPE to filter out microplastics from the vascular system is a subject of ongoing investigation. 

 Given the widespread presence of microplastics in our environment and the potential for these particles to accumulate in human tissues, TPE could emerge as a valuable tool in mitigating the risks associated with microplastic exposure. Further research is needed to fully understand the efficacy of TPE in this context. By exploring innovative solutions like TPE, we can develop effective strategies to counteract the increasing exposure to environmental pollutants we face daily.