How to Not Consume Microplastics

Microplastics (MP) and nano plastics (NP) are in our air, water, and soil. Thus, are also in plants, fish, birds, and all of us. So, how do we prevent these unfortunate byproducts of civilization from poisoning us?

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Plastic as Ag Tool

In 1948, Horticulturist E.M. Emmert (U of Kentucky), was working on building a cheaper greenhouse. His solution was to use polyethylene instead of glass, and using a wooden frame rather than heavier and costlier framing materials. The resulting greenhouse worked well, and thus plastic became part of agriculture, and from then on was inadvertently added to our growing soil.

• Using plastics allow farmers to grow foods out of season through a controlled growing environment, such as a greenhouse.
• Plastic can increase yield (some say by a third, 1) by affording plant protection from most adverse weather.
• In sheet form (like shown below), plastic can increase uptake of fertilizers, retain moisture, and cut weeds. Thus, reducing farming costs.

This cheaper alternative building material spread quickly across the globe. Today it is common to see such plastic greenhouses and hoop houses everywhere. This includes in the fields as plastic is often made in sheets, large enough to cover fields (as plastic mulch) to prevent weeds, geomembranes to line homemade lakes or animal waste collection ditches, or are parts of the irrigation pipes (2). Additionally, we see plastic in animal feed sacks, seedling grow bags, or wrapping for cotton or hay bales.

Some report that 3.5% of all global plastic production is used for agricultural purposes, that is ~400M metic tons per year (2).

My Story

Here I am, right now, sitting down in my favorite arm chair with a cup of tea, a warmed slice of Gayles Zucchini Bread, and reading the news on my iPad.

WaPo has lots of political news that I purposefully bypass, for it is too early in the day for the newest outrage. I settle on the cooking section, and the first thing I read is: A new study by researchers with the nonprofit Ocean Conservancy and the University of Toronto found microplastics — tiny particles ranging from one micrometer (one thousandth of a millimeter) to half a centimeter in size — in nearly 90 percent of protein food samples tested.

So I went from skipping the political outrage, into a different, but related, outrage about food. All before I have sipped my tea. But, I cannot help myself, and had to go to the study they referenced, to see what was found. Thus, triggering further research, and this post, which dominated my week.

What this Means

The study provided a text and graphic (above) abstract of their findings. The highlights were:

• They found microplastic contamination in 16 USA protein products
• Highly-processed food contained the most microplastics per gram
• Microplastic contamination did not differ between brands or store types
• The Mean USA adult exposure from consuming these proteins is >11,000 microplastics/year
  • “Mean” is the average value of the plastic found in all the food
  • Calculated by summing the amount of plastic in each, then divided by the number of items reviewed
• Maximum USA adult exposure from these proteins is ∼3.8 million microplastics/year

So microplastics are in our food, especially processed food, and in us.

But scientists went further, as this study referenced many other studies that show that the actual plastic contamination is truly global and in our air, waters, sea life, animals, and plant life.

• WaPo writes of a study that found people inhale or ingest on average 74,000 to 121,000 microplastic particles per year through breathing, eating and drinking.
• Microplastics and nanoplastics are in our tap water, various aquatic life (fish, shrimp, oysters, mussels, etc,), and sea salt (1, 2)
• All forms of plastics are detected in nearly all aquatic environments, including oceans, seas and freshwater bodies (3)
• Plastics are in the terrestrial farm animals we consume as protein, and tofu (4)
• In some tested beers (5, 6) and infant milk powder (7)
• And in us (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)

We also consume microplastics (MP) and nanoplastic in the air we breathe and through the various plastics we touch, drink from, and serve food on. So is it any surprise that the study WaPo referenced writes: Scientists are increasingly identifying MPs throughout the human body, including our blood (Jenner et al., 2022; ≥700 nm), lungs (Leslie et al., 2022; ≥3 μm), heart (Yang et al., 2023; 20–500 μm), and placentas (Ragusa et al., 2021; 5–10 μm and 20.34–307.29 μm).

The World Health Organization (WHO) published a report on the possible health risks of microplastics and nanoplastic pollution, but noted that there still isn’t enough research linking these particles to adverse health effects in humans and emphasized an urgent need for more research. They also acknowledge that these particles get into us primarily through inhalation and ingestion, or breathing and eating or drinking.

Finally, all the research being done at this point highlight potential harms these plastics can cause: plastics pose a threat to public health because they contain a host of hazardous, endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that leach and contaminate humans and the environment.

For example, phthalates are commonly used to make certain plastics more pliable, and yet have been shown to leach out of plastic materials and into our foods and drinks. In fact, decades long scientific research has linked phthalate exposure to serious health problems in humans: birth defects, infertility, endocrine system disruption, and an increased risk of learning, attention, and behavioral disorders in children. This is serious, for studies state that phthalates are a huge class of chemicals with a wide spectrum of industrial uses, from the manufacture of plastics to food contact applications, children’s toys, and medical devices. 

Real Big Solutions

Like the removal of PFAS chemicals, removing plastics from our environment and bodies will require world governments demanding changes to businesses that have known and willfully misled us on the ability to recycle plastics, the truth that plastic leaches into our bodies and environment, and the harm they cause.

But governments, even agencies that are meant to protect its citizens, are corrupt and not likely to help. See, for example, Consumer Reports comments on how the FDA refused to act by denying two petitions to ban all phthalates in food packaging and processing.

In a nutshell, the cost of civilization comes high, with forever chemicals everywhere, plastics infiltrating biology globally, and pollution-based destruction everywhere you look.

In reality, individuals can do little to control what multi-conglomerate, international businesses produce and distribute. Even at the level of food processing, plastic is in food processing tubing, conveyor belts, gloves and personal protection equipment that are used during processing, according to WaPo. Clearly, the food business is the cause and ultimate solution to reducing the amount of plastics we ingest.

Here are some ideas on what could be done at the governmental or business level:

• Farmers could swap plastic mulch for a biodegradable alternative that could be tilled into the soil at the end of the season. 
• Limit once-used-plastics and remove plastic bags from shopping for a return to using paper, recycled paper, or bring-your-own bags.

• Following Japan, seedlings could be grown in paper-based trays rather than plastic; and this could be mandated for agricultural foods.
• Instead of using plastic cling-wrapping, companies could devise other sources. WaPo reported on an Australian company called Great Wrap that produces a compostable clog wrap that is made by extracting compostable biopolymers from potato waste.
• A Philippines company, and others, are making seaweed-based biofilm for use in fast food packaging.

• Plastic is even in sacked plant soil. Companies could sift the product to remove plastic if they so chose, and use paper instead.
• Food packaging companies could change to use recyclable or reusable metal, paper, or glass (like Straus milk products).
• Governments could change policies that move from the false concept of “plastic recycling” to biodegradable packaging.

Personal Solutions

Despite my negativity above, there are some things we, as individuals, can and must do for our own families’ health.

My spouse and I have been on a tear recently, trying to reduce or even remove plastics from our life. Yes it is impossible for total removal, but it is possible to reduce. Here is what we are attempting.

Start at Home

These days the very dust in our houses have bits of plastic in them, we live in an area with lots of pollen, and we occasionally have winds bringing fire-based pollution. So, we have both a filter on our house’s heating pump (since I have acquired age-related allergies), but also vacuum our house with equipment housing a HEPA filter, and use a HEPA air filter appliance for bedrooms in our home.

We are starting to look at plastic use in our bathrooms, kitchen, laundry room, use of various appliances, and whole house systems.

Review Food Containers

We have “recycled” our plastic food storage containers for glass containers that unfortunately can come with plastic tops; we use the glass containers with silicone tops.

• Avoid plastic food containers (storage containers, large plastic bowls and covers, plastic bags, etc.)
• Do not heat food in plastic food containers in the microwave, use glass containers for the microwave
• Avoid using plastic to store hot food (heat can increase leaching)
• Keep food below the plastic lids (which often, even for glass containers may be plastic)
• Use glass, metal, or paper-based food storage containers
• Use glass or metal for water bottles, get rid of all the plastic ones

Review Fast Food + Fatty Food Consumption

This is a clear edict, avoid fast food places which overuse plastics and items with PFAS chemicals. Even personal protection equipment or sanitation equipment, like vinyl gloves, contain the chemicals that infiltrate into our food, causing harm. As a result we have reduced our fast-food intake, and are grateful to see more careful packaging around the area where we live (led by the California city Berkeley’s efforts).

Many of the plastic chemicals are also fat soluble, thus we also pay attention to our fat consumption. A report showed that phthalates in food where higher in fattier foods than less fatty food. So we consume plant milks or no-fat dairy, use mainly Olive and Avocado oils (some limited Peanut and Sesame oils), and use Irish grass-fed butter. Additionally, if we consume meat, we choose the less fatty parts.

Reconsider Consuming Highly Processed Foods

We already know that highly processed foods are not healthy for us in general. Thus my spouse and I have chosen to eat more in season, fresh, and minimally processed foods.

• Consume unpackaged fruits and vegetables, that have limited exposure to plastics
• Use actual butchers if eating meat, as their packaging is less plastic than paper and you can request no plastic wraps
• Buy whole veggies and fruits, not precut or portioned as they are plastic wrapped
• Avoid deli meats, some cheeses, nitrates/nitrites or celery-preserved foods, and this can include some vegan or vegetarian processed foods
• Purchase mined salt rather than sea salt (as oceans have been found to have plastic), likewise, limit intake of bottom feeders (flatfish and some catfish) and filter-feeders (like clams)

Review Kitchen Tools

I have always preferred wood, glass, stainless steel, or silicone kitchen tools. So we have rid ourselves of many plastic items and have purchased kitchen tools made without plastic, preferably with more natural components. I tend not to use plastic or aluminum foil in favor of parchment paper.

• Avoid plastic bowls and lids, food containers, and any plastic dinnerware or silverware
• Do not use plastic salad spinners or colanders
• Replace plastic spatulas, tongs, and other kitchen utensils
• Do not use plastic wraps
• Avoid plastic cutting boards, and use hardwood boards instead
• We have a stash of stainless steel straws and avoid plastic straws when we can

Review Use of Appliances

Dishwasher temperatures can run very hot, and thus degrade even dishwasher-safe plastic containers and lids. This creates microplastic shedding, so I try to remember to wash plastic containers by hand.

Microwaves also cause microplastics, so do not heat plastic containers in the appliance.

For Electric Water Kettles, make sure the parts that touch and heat the water are stainless steel, not plastic.

Change Lifestyle Choices

Laundry: Outside of food we have also made other choices. Our laundry detergent is one of the flat sheet kind, avoiding the purchase of detergent in plastic bottles as well as detergent “pods” that contaminate our clothes and harm the environment.

Bathroom: We have purchased hand soap tablets that are mixed with water in a glass container to wash our hands. Additionally, moving from plastic contained liquid soap back to soap bars packed in paper is an easy move. Same for not buying plastic toothbrushes, I have purchased bamboo ones and they work well.

Pets: We made the change so that even our doggie poop bags are compostable, as are other items in our household. The water container we carry on our walk is metal with a silicone top that turns into a little bowl.

House Air: We open our windows. to let fresh air sweep through the house. As mentioned above, our new heat pump includes a whole house HEPA filter to help reduce air contaminates including fire-related particles that sometimes blow our way when there is a forest fire up wind from us.

Receipts: Recently, we have started to say “no” when asked if we want a receipt, electronic receipts are good enough and those little glossy receipts often have plastic-type chemicals on them.

Vinyl: WaPo also noted that plasticizers are generally a key ingredient in vinyl products, which includes “vegan leather”, so best to avoid vinyl too, when possible. This means looking specifically at our shower curtains, house and trailer floorings, house windows, car and truck interiors, and all of our clothing. I have some vinyl windows that I am not going to change, but the rest of them are wood + aluminum.

Personally, we both think it is impossible to remove all plastic in our lives given how pervasive it is, without government intervention. But I will do all I can to help keep my family as safe as possible.

—Patty

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