It’s not massive information: Microplastics are a pervasive downside world wide, current in the whole lot from our oceans to breast milk1. These plastic particles come from the breakdown of plastic waste, and given their tiny measurement —– about <5000 μm —– they will simply discover their manner into the meals we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe.
Inevitably, the well being hazards of those omnipresent plastic particles have continued to stack up. Whereas it’s tougher than ever to avoid them fully, understanding methods to keep away from microplastics in your individual residence could make a world of a distinction.
The Dangers of Microplastics
As tiny as they’re, these microplastics can do critical injury. A 2023 examine in Yonsei Medical Journal cited blocked digestion and destructive results on the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract2, whereas 2024 analysis from the New England Journal of Drugs discovered that microplastic publicity might contribute to elevated danger of myocardial infarction or stroke3.
An article from the Journal of the Harvard Medical Faculty added potential ramifications starting from oxidative injury, endocrine disruption, and impacts on reproductive well being4. Lastly, 2024 analysis in Life Sciences discovered an “alarming” hyperlink between microplastic contamination and an elevated danger of assorted sorts of most cancers, together with lung, blood, breast, prostate, and ovarian5.
Sources of Microplastics In Your Kitchen
Microplastics are so pervasive that they’re almost unavoidable within the fashionable world. Current analysis has discovered that their presence within the air signifies that even vegetation are contaminated6. However excellent is the enemy of fine, and there are nonetheless methods that you may cut back your publicity. To attenuate the microplastics you ingest, we advocate beginning within the coronary heart of the house — your kitchen. Listed below are the worst culprits to prioritize for a kitchen clean-out.
1. Plastic Reducing Boards
Not solely are plastic slicing boards extra more likely to harbor harmful micro organism than wooden, however plastic slicing boards can even introduce substantial quantities of microplastics into our meals.
Plastic slicing boards could seem to be they’re cleaner and safer than porous wooden, however analysis has proven that the other is true. If you wish to know methods to keep away from microplastics, it is a massive one. Not solely are plastic slicing boards extra more likely to harbor harmful micro organism than wooden7, (particularly within the gashes that type within the materials over time), however plastic slicing boards can even introduce “substantial” quantities of microplastics into our meals.
In line with a 2023 examine in Environmental Science & Expertise, an individual utilizing a plastic chopping board might enhance their microplastic publicity by as much as 50 grams in a yr — roughly the identical weight as a golf ball8.
What to Use As an alternative
As an alternative of a plastic slicing board, go for a heavy, end-grain slicing board like those from John Boos, an artisan who’s been making picket slicing boards since 1887. Finish-grain boards are extra sturdy, they usually’re nice at additionally wicking harmful micro organism away from the board’s floor of the board. This micro organism will get pulled into the wooden, the place they’re killed off because of the dearth of oxygen. They usually’re stunning as well.
2. Plastic Meals Storage Containers
Plastic meals storage containers are mild, straightforward, and reasonably priced — however none of these execs outweigh the dangers they pose to our well being. 2023 analysis in Environmental Science & Expertise discovered that plastic containers and reusable meals pouches leached as many as 4.22 million microplastics per sq. centimeter. And the way a lot plastic we eat additionally diverse extensively relying on how the containers had been used9.
The examine highlighted a key level: understanding methods to keep away from microplastics isn’t nearly what you employ within the kitchen, however how you employ it. Microwaving meals in plastic containers was probably the most egregious use case when it got here to leaching microplastics, although refrigerating meals and storing meals at room temperature for over six months additionally contributed to microplastic contamination.
Whereas we’re at it, it’s additionally time to kick the behavior of reusing single-use plastic containers. As a lot as we’re followers of upcycling, this isn’t the place to get resourceful. A 2020 examine within the Journal of Hazardous Supplies estimated that those that eat takeout 4 to seven instances weekly might ingest over 200 items of microplastics via single-use takeout containers10. Polystyrene containers with tough surfaces had been a few of the worst offenders, the examine authors discovered.
What to Use As an alternative
Swap out your plastic storage containers for a spread product of glass, like these nestable and stackable containers from Zwilling. Glass containers are protected when involved with meals, they usually’re an amazing sturdy and non-toxic various to plastic.
3. Plastic Wraps and Baggage
Conserving meals in plastic luggage or plastic wrap is one other manner you may be by accident introducing microplastics into your eating regimen. 2021 analysis in Environmental Nanotechnology Monitoring & Administration discovered that these plastics might leach into meals, significantly when moist, heated, or uncovered to mild11.
What to Use As an alternative
Make use of these new glass storage containers, or cowl leftover meals with reusable wraps like Bee’s Wrap, constructed from protected, sustainable wax-coated cotton.
4. PFAS-Coated Nonstick Cookware
Analysis discovered {that a} single crack in a Teflon-coated pan can launch about 9,100 plastic particles into your meals.
Nonstick cookware coated with PTFE isn’t simply terrible for the setting; 2024 analysis in Science of the Complete Surroundings studies that it’s additionally been discovered to launch harmful micro- and nanoplastics into meals12. That is much more regarding on the subject of older cookware — analysis discovered {that a} single crack in a Teflon-coated pan can launch about 9,100 plastic particles into your meals13.
What to Use As an alternative
It’s properly previous the time we did away with conventional nonstick cookware in favor of safer choices. On this case, understanding methods to keep away from microplastics isn’t such a chore — you’ll get beautiful, well-made cookware in return.
5. Plastic Kitchen Utensils
Plastic kitchen utensils, particularly these which have been scratched or fragmented, can even contribute fairly a little bit of microplastic residue to your dinner14. Black plastic utensils like spatulas are significantly nefarious, with the potential to introduce not simply microplastics however flame retardants, based on a 2024 examine in Chemosphere15.
In line with a 2024 examine within the Journal of Hazardous Supplies, only one month of consuming sizzling meals off of plastic tableware might contribute to important microplastic publicity, resulting in adjustments in microbiota abundance and metabolite ranges in just some quick weeks.
Disposable plastic tableware can be regarding for each the setting and our well being. In line with a 2024 examine within the Journal of Hazardous Supplies, only one month of consuming sizzling meals off of plastic tableware might contribute to important microplastic publicity, resulting in adjustments in microbiota abundance and metabolite ranges in just some quick weeks16.
Reusable plastic tableware isn’t fully protected both. 2022 analysis in Meals Packaging and Shelf Life examined melamine bowls for microplastics after washing solely as soon as vs. 100 instances. The bowl that had been washed 100 instances examined larger for microplastic residue, indicating that extra microplastics had been launched over time17.
What to Use As an alternative
6. Plastic Water Bottles and Cups
Plastic water bottles and cups are one other terrifying supply of microplastics in meals, given that the majority of us use this stuff every now and then. A 2024 examine within the Proceedings of the Nationwide Academy of Sciences discovered {that a} liter of bottled water contained a median of 240,000 tiny items of plastic18 —– ten to 100 instances greater than beforehand estimated19.
What to Use As an alternative
As an alternative of consuming from plastic, take into account investing in stunning coloured glassware, like this set from Our Place. Constituted of a mix of recycled glass and sand, these sturdy glasses are much more nice — and protected — to drink from than plastic. They’re additionally simply and safely refilled, because of the corporate’s matching glass carafe.
For consuming water on the go, we love the sunshine and easy 27-ounce water bottle from Klean Kanteen. It’s constructed from sustainably harvested bamboo, chrome steel, and food-grade silicone, enabling microplastic-free hydration each time you’re taking a sip.
Remaining Ideas on How A lot Plastic We Eat
In right now’s world, it’s laborious to fully management how a lot plastic we eat — however there are nonetheless concrete steps we will take to cut back our publicity. Begin by changing one merchandise at a time, with the final word purpose of creating your private home a plastic-free zone (or as near it as you may!). So long as you’re making progress, you’re shifting in the fitting path.
Sources:
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39064070/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10151227/
- https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2309822
- https://journal.hms.harvard.edu/articles/microplastics-everywhere
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0024320524005277
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08831-4
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31113021/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37220346/
- https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.3c01942
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0304389420309584
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2215153221001835
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969724027232
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- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2214289422000187
- https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/plastic-particles-bottled-water
- https://version.cnn.com/2024/01/08/well being/bottled-water-nanoplastics-study-wellness/index.html
