If you watched Netflix’s The Plastic Detox recently, you may have come away feeling alarmed that these tiny plastic particles—called microplastics—seem to be everywhere.
“No one has clarified a causative relationship between microplastics and negative health outcomes, however there is mounting evidence, and I think that’s why we’re talking about it now,” says Dr. Charis Chambers, an obstetrics and gynecology doctor and chief medical officer at Clue. Microplastics may act as endocrine disruptors (chemicals that interfere with hormones) and remain within the body. While research is ongoing, findings so far suggest links to fertility issues, metabolism and hormone health. Plus, they may also be inflammatory and irritating to our organs. Found in breast milk, the placenta, the endometrium, and even the ovaries, microplastics enter our bodies via ingestion (what we eat and drink), inhalation, and skin contact, says Chambers. She notes that it’s hard to isolate specific causes, as often microplastics come hand in hand with other endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
It can be a confusing landscape to navigate—not to mention the fact that microplastics are almost impossible to avoid, given how ubiquitous they are. “They are in our soil and water, so even when we buy products that the manufacturer says [contain none], they can’t actually control what ends up in your hands,” says Chambers.
Small changes, though, can make a difference, so here, Vogue presents some of the ways to help limit your microplastic exposure.
Drink tap water
It might be time to reconsider that bottled water. Whether as a result of the bottle being exposed to heat or sunlight, left sitting on a shelf for long periods, or simply being squeezed, plastic particles can leach into the water—and then into the body of the person drinking it.
“Generally, tap water is better,” explains Dr Federica Amati, head nutritionist at Zoe. “However, water quality varies from region to region, and although it is safe from a bacterial and viral point of view, it can still contain microplastics, forever chemicals such as PFAS, hormones and other nasties like cocaine, especially in London. Don’t panic though—it’s still better than other drinks on offer.”
So wield your reusable stainless steel bottle for on-the-go hydration and, to be extra safe, invest in a home water filter. “All water filters screen out toxins to some extent,” notes Amati. “But the best ones are reverse osmosis filters, which also remove microplastics and forever chemicals.”
Swap out Tupperware and plastic utensils
Likewise, particles from plastic food containers—such as Tupperware—can leach into food, impacting metabolic health, damaging the mitochondria in human colon cells, and even increasing the risk of heart failure. The black plastic trays that microwaveable dinners come in are among the worst offenders.
“They’re often made from recycled electrical equipment, which means they were treated with fire-retardant chemicals,” says Amati. “When we heat them, these compounds, along with microplastics, can end up in our food.”
Consider your kitchenware: if your containers, food packaging, cups, utensils, and chopping boards are plastic, try to switch to glass, stainless steel or ceramic wherever possible. And if you do still have plastic in your kitchen, try to avoid combining it with heat.
Rethink non-stick pans
If you’re currently using a non-stick pan (such as Teflon), you’re exposing yourself to polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), which delivers the coating effect. While PTFE doesn’t start life as a microplastic, using the pan with metal utensils, abrasive sponges and high temperatures can cause it to chip and flake away, often releasing microplastics into your food.
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