When Belgian chemist and marketeer Leo Baekeland invented the first fully synthetic plastic in 1907, little did he know about the consequences it would have on our health and the environment, of which we’re today becoming increasingly aware.
Thanks to this increased awareness, we now understand the magnitude of this damage, including health concerns like chronic inflammation, immune system disruption, gastrointestinal issues, endocrine and thyroid dysfunction, reproductive problems, and higher cancer risk.
Lacking complete elimination of microplastics for the time being, there are some steps you can try to reduce your exposure to microplastics:
#1 Filter your tap water
Microplastics are commonly present in tap water because they enter the system from sources like degraded plastic waste and atmospheric deposition. They are especially common in unfiltered drinking water, so installing an activated carbon or reverse osmosis filter can efficiently remove most of them.
#2 Minimize single-use plastics
Plastic bottles, bags, and utensils degrade over time, releasing harmful secondary microplastics into foods and drinks. Replace these with sustainable alternatives – glass, stainless steel, fabric, bamboo, or reusable Bisphenol A (BPA)-free containers and utensils.
#3 Reduce shellfish consumption
Did you know that microplastics that end up in the ocean are ingested by bottom-feeding shellfish like shrimp, clams, mussels, oysters, scallops, mollusks, lobster, crab, and scallops? By consuming these, you’re inevitably ingesting microplastics, so reducing or avoiding them is a wise choice.
#4 Regularly dust and vacuum
Here’s another shocking fact for you – a large chunk of dust particles in your home is made up of microplastics. Therefore, it helps to keep your immediate environment as fresh and clean as possible by vacuuming and dusting once a week at a minimum. Also, consider using air filters or purifiers and removing carpets.
#5 Steer clear of plastic tea bags
Tea bags, particularly those made of nylon or polyethylene terephthalate (PET), are guilty of potentially releasing billions of microplastic particles into your cup. Instead of these detrimental options, switch to loose-leaf tea or biodegradable, plastic-free tea bags made out of paper or other natural fibers.
#6 Opt for natural fabrics
By shedding thousands of microfibers during machine washing and tumble drying, synthetic clothing contributes substantially to microplastic pollution. So, ditch synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon for eco-friendlier, sustainable natural fibers like cotton, wool, and linen to reduce shedding and microplastic release.
#7 Watch the food packaging
Microplastic residues can also enter your food by way of processed foods’ plastic packaging. A better, healthier alternative involves fresh or minimally processed foods packed in paper, glass, or metal. Moreover, storing food in ceramic or glass containers instead of plastic can also minimize contamination.
Minimizing exposure to microplastics
All things considered, we are only just starting to learn about the potential implications of our dependence on plastics in our everyday lives, including, ironically, endangerment of the said lives. However, taking the above steps is the right move toward a healthier and possibly microplastics-free future.
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