Everyone knows microplastics are unhealthy, however is there something we are able to do to keep away from publicity? Sure — and the kitchen is the very best place to begin.
It’s not large information: Microplastics are a pervasive drawback all over the world, current in all the things 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 method 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 keep away from them fully, understanding how one can keep away from microplastics in your individual house could make a world of a distinction.
The Dangers of Microplastics
As tiny as they’re, these microplastics can do severe harm. A 2023 research 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 harm, 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 practically unavoidable within the fashionable world. Current analysis has discovered that their presence within the air signifies that even crops are contaminated6. However excellent is the enemy of excellent, and there are nonetheless methods that you would be able to cut back your publicity. To reduce 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 prone 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 how one can keep away from microplastics, it is a large one. Not solely are plastic slicing boards extra prone 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.
Based on a 2023 research in Environmental Science & Know-how, an individual utilizing a plastic chopping board might enhance their microplastic publicity by as much as 50 grams in a 12 months — roughly the identical weight as a golf ball8.
What to Use As a substitute
As a substitute of a plastic slicing board, go for a heavy, end-grain slicing board like those from John Boos, an artisan who’s been making wood 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 due to the dearth of oxygen. And so they’re lovely besides.
2. Plastic Meals Storage Containers
Plastic meals storage containers are gentle, straightforward, and inexpensive — however none of these execs outweigh the dangers they pose to our well being. 2023 analysis in Environmental Science & Know-how 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 broadly relying on how the containers had been used9.
The research highlighted a key level: understanding how one can keep away from microplastics isn’t nearly what you utilize within the kitchen, however how you utilize it. Microwaving meals in plastic containers was essentially 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 research within the Journal of Hazardous Supplies estimated that those that eat takeout 4 to seven occasions weekly might ingest over 200 items of microplastics via single-use takeout containers10. Polystyrene containers with tough surfaces had been among the worst offenders, the research authors discovered.
What to Use As a substitute
Swap out your plastic storage containers for a variety made from glass, like these nestable and stackable containers from Zwilling. Glass containers are secure when involved with meals, they usually’re an amazing sturdy and non-toxic different to plastic.
3. Plastic Wraps and Luggage
Preserving meals in plastic luggage or plastic wrap is one other method you is likely to be by chance introducing microplastics into your weight loss plan. 2021 analysis in Environmental Nanotechnology Monitoring & Administration discovered that these plastics might leach into meals, significantly when moist, heated, or uncovered to gentle11.
What to Use As a substitute
Make use of these new glass storage containers, or cowl leftover meals with reusable wraps like Bee’s Wrap, produced from secure, 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 surroundings; 2024 analysis in Science of the Complete Atmosphere reviews that it’s additionally been discovered to launch harmful micro- and nanoplastics into meals12. That is much more regarding in the case 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 a substitute
It’s properly previous the time we did away with conventional nonstick cookware in favor of safer choices. On this case, understanding how one can keep away from microplastics isn’t such a chore — you’ll get attractive, well-made cookware in return.
GreenPan’s ceramic nonstick cookware affords a sturdy, lovely, and plastic-free different, and MadeIn affords chef-tested, long-lasting ceramic nonstick made with their proprietary CeramiClad™ expertise. When used correctly, these PFAS-free options carry out simply in addition to conventional nonstick.
5. Plastic Kitchen Utensils
Plastic kitchen utensils, particularly these which were 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, in accordance with a 2024 research in Chemosphere15.
Based on a 2024 research within the Journal of Hazardous Supplies, only one month of consuming scorching meals off of plastic tableware might contribute to important microplastic publicity, resulting in modifications in microbiota abundance and metabolite ranges in just some brief weeks.
Disposable plastic tableware can be regarding for each the surroundings and our well being. Based on a 2024 research within the Journal of Hazardous Supplies, only one month of consuming scorching meals off of plastic tableware might contribute to important microplastic publicity, resulting in modifications in microbiota abundance and metabolite ranges in just some brief weeks16.
Reusable plastic tableware isn’t fully secure both. 2022 analysis in Meals Packaging and Shelf Life examined melamine bowls for microplastics after washing solely as soon as vs. 100 occasions. The bowl that had been washed 100 occasions examined greater for microplastic residue, indicating that extra microplastics had been launched over time17.
What to Use As a substitute
When you possibly can, spend money on tableware and utensils which can be constructed to final. The excellent news is that there are plenty of lovely plastic-free choices on the market. Strive these handcrafted ceramic plates in a bunch of heat hues, and select non-toxic utensils, like these BPA-free silicone cooking utensils from Our Place.
6. Plastic Water Bottles and Cups
Plastic water bottles and cups are one other terrifying supply of microplastics in meals, given that almost all of us use these things every now and then. A 2024 research within the Proceedings of the Nationwide Academy of Sciences discovered {that a} liter of bottled water contained a mean of 240,000 tiny items of plastic18 —– ten to 100 occasions greater than beforehand estimated19.
What to Use As a substitute
As a substitute of consuming from plastic, contemplate investing in lovely coloured glassware, like this set from Our Place. Comprised of a mix of recycled glass and sand, these sturdy glasses are way more nice — and secure — to drink from than plastic. They’re additionally simply and safely refilled, due to 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 produced from sustainably harvested bamboo, stainless-steel, and food-grade silicone, enabling microplastic-free hydration each time you are taking a sip.
Remaining Ideas on How A lot Plastic We Eat
In right this moment’s world, it’s exhausting to fully management how a lot plastic we eat — however there are nonetheless concrete steps we are able to take to cut back our publicity. Begin by changing one merchandise at a time, with the final word purpose of creating your house a plastic-free zone (or as near it as you possibly can!). So long as you’re making progress, you’re transferring in the correct course.
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
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- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S004896972205392X?viapercent3Dihub
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016041202400326X
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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
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