By Kay Leaman, Health Architect, Certified Nutrition and Skin Advisor
I had heard of microplastics but had not paid much attention to them until recently. However, I think the subject is quite interesting.
A little history: Leo Baekeland, a Belgian immigrant to the United States, developed Bakelite, considered the first fully synthetic plastic, in 1907. Early uses included electrical components; Bakelite was later used in radios, automobiles, and appliances. In the 1930s and ’40s, new synthetic materials included polyester, nylon, polystyrene foam, and plexiglass. In 1955, Life magazine published an article titled “Throwaway Living,” focusing on how plastics were helping overburdened housewives. Fast-forward to now, and you will find plastics in modern medicine, food packaging, construction, cosmetics, apparel, paint, cleansers, toothpaste, and the list goes on.
Microplastics are particles smaller than 5 millimeters, and nanoplastics are smaller than 1 micrometer. Some come from larger plastics breaking down, while others are manufactured for use in certain products. Most conventional plastics do not readily biodegrade; instead, they can persist and break into increasingly smaller particles. We find them in the air we breathe, the water we drink, the clothes we wear, and the food we eat. They’ve been found from the summit of Mount Everest to the ocean depths. To date, microplastics have been found in more than 1,300 aquatic and terrestrial species and detected in various human tissues and fluids.
Stanford physician Desiree LaBeaud has described this as being “born polluted,” after studies reported microplastics in meconium (a newborn’s first stool). Researchers have also reported microplastics in breast milk. During preliminary research, Teflon specks were visible under a microscope in one child’s tonsil tissue.
Micro- and nanoplastics have been detected in brain and reproductive tissues, among other areas. Researchers are investigating whether smaller particles can cross cell membranes, disrupt signaling processes, or affect other cellular functions. What these findings mean for human health is still being studied.
Researchers struggle to know which substances to study, as more than 10,000 chemicals have been identified as being used in plastics. More than two-thirds have not been fully assessed for safety, and over 2,400 have been identified as potentially hazardous. Heat and sunlight can increase the migration of some substances from plastic bottles, so avoid storing bottled water in hot cars or direct sunlight. Notice how many cases of water are left in the sun at gas stations and other stores.
So, what can we do about it? Ready, set . . .
Children: When practical, choose well-made, age-appropriate metal or wooden toys that meet current safety standards. How many kids put toys in their mouths?!
Here are some more options for reducing plastic use and potential exposure:
- Purchase clothes, towels, bed linens, rugs, and other items made from natural materials such as cotton, linen, silk, and wool.
- Choose stainless steel, cast iron, glass, or properly made food-safe ceramic or clay cookware.
- Replace single-use plastic water bottles with reusable stainless steel or glass bottles.
- Take a glass container with you when you eat out so you can use it for leftovers. If you receive leftovers in a polystyrene foam container, transfer them to a different container as soon as you get home.
- When microwaving food, use glass, ceramic, or a container specifically labeled microwave-safe. Dispose of plastic items that are damaged or showing wear.
- Plastic wrap and plastic utensils can contribute to plastic waste and may release chemicals or particles, particularly when heated or damaged. Reduce the number of single-use plastic items in your kitchen. When using plastic wrap, follow the label directions and do not allow it to touch food during microwaving. Consider reusable food-grade silicone lids or Bee’s Wrap. I have both, and they are great!
- Do not reuse containers designed for single use. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for reusable plastic products.
- Look for products sold in glass jars rather than plastic ones, such as peanut butter.
- Once opened, store meat in a leakproof glass or food-grade silicone container.
- Consider using glass food-storage containers.
- Pick up some inexpensive silverware to use at the beach or on picnics, and keep some in the car for those fast-food stops.
As always, don’t overwhelm yourself. Start with what you use most often. The next time you’re shopping for clothes, check the material label inside the garment and ask yourself whether the choice supports your health and environmental goals. I recently needed to pick up a few new items and found that some international brands didn’t have material labels, so I chose not to buy them.
Look for flatware at thrift stores. Another good place to start is with bed linens and jammies. We spend up to eight hours in them every day of our lives. IKEA has some good stainless steel cookware at a reasonable price. Lastly, if you’re at the farmers market and there is a pottery booth, stop in and look for a new pie pan or other items to replace the not-so-healthy ones at home. Just confirm that the pottery is intended for food use, was made by a reputable potter, and has a food-safe glaze.
As more of us change our buying habits, the market will begin to change as well. This is how we can fight back.
Here’s to Health!
HealthyDay HealthyLife
