A recent paper was published in Environmental International with evidence of microplastics, tiny plastic particles, in human blood for the first time.
Plastic is EVERYWHERE. We are exposed to microplastics through air, water, food, and personal products. The concern is the accumulation of these in our blood and their ability to be retained in our organs, including our brain.
This is not to scare you. It is impossible to avoid them completely however it is most definitely something to be aware of. Take a closer look at your daily life and how you can minimize your exposure.
Here is a list of common items containing microplastics to be mindful of:
✔ Thermal paper – paper with a coating of bisphenol-A or BPA. This is easily absorbed by the skin and can contribute to hormone dysregulation in the body. This same thermal paper is used for receipts, airline boarding passes and luggage tags, movie tickets, sporting events and amusement parks tickets, even labels on prescription bottles or packaged deli meats and cheeses.
✔ Bottled water, even BPA-free bottles - stainless steel or glass is ideal
✔ Plastic tupperware
✔ Plastic bags
✔ Paper, plastic & stryofoam plates/bowel/utensils & food packaging including fast food/to-go containers – these are all coated with non-stick chemicals that contain microplastics
✔ Non-stick pots/pans – stainless steel is ideal
✔ Tea/coffee lids – the condensation that occurs on the under-side of these lids drips back into your beverage
✔ Keurig/Nepresso pods – heat exposure leaches the plastic from these pods directly into your beverage
✔ Tea bags - choose loose leaf tea instead
✔ Cosmetics – there are multiple names to look for, most commonly starting with “poly”
✔ Toothpaste – @Redmondearthpaste is the only toothpaste I use!
✔ Salt including table salt & sea salt - @Redmondrealsalt is the only salt I use!
✔ Wild caught seafood – consuming 2-3 times weekly is plenty to limit exposure
✔ Synthetic fibers like nylon, acrylic and polyester in clothing and furniture– use fiber-catching filters and laundry balls to minimize exposure and collect microplastics
Comment below which one of these you can change to minimize microplastic exposure.
Are there any OTHER sources that you are mindful of?