IF you drink from a plastic water bottle or eat leftovers from Tupperware, you might want to think again.
There’s a growing body of evidence to suggest that microplastics – which seep into our bodies from everyday items – are destroying our health.
Various studies have shown these tiny particles can have terrifying consequences – from heart disease to cancer.
In fact, research published this week found some human brains contain up to 7g of plastic, which could be linked to dementia.
Scientists estimate we ingest and inhale the equivalent of 50 plastic bags or 52 credit cards every year.
But how can you avoid it? Here’s everything you need to know.
WHAT ARE MICROPLASTICS?
MICROPLASTICS are small pieces of plastic debris that have broken down from industrial waste and consumer goods.
“They measure fewer than five millimetres across, so the same size as a grain of rice or smaller,” Professor Matthew Cotton, professor of environmental justice at Teesside University, tells Sun on Sunday Health.
Nanoplastics are a particular concern.
“These are between one and 1,000 nanometres, which is up to 0.001mm across,” he adds.
“They’re completely invisible to the human eye and so are very easily swallowed or inhaled without us realising.”
WHY SHOULD I CARE?
THE evidence that microplastics could have implications on our long-term health is mounting.
Research has found microplastics can cause oxidative stress in the lungs and airways, which can trigger coughing, sneezing and dizziness.
Studies also suggest microplastics can lead to changes in our gut, resulting in stomach pain, bloating and diarrhoea.
And scientists at the University of Ottawa found “alarming” levels of microplastics with links to dementia in human brain tissue.
They discovered we carry up to a disposable spoon’s worth of plastic in our brains – about 50 per cent more than eight years ago.
Of particular concern were polyethylene particles less than 1/500 of the width of a human hair, which appeared to gather in the walls of blood vessels and immune cells.
Levels were higher in people diagnosed with dementia.
There are even links to cancer.
“Ingestion of microplastics can cause inflammation and irritation, which may potentially lead to DNA damage and promote cancer,” the charity Breast Cancer UK says.
One of the biggest dietary sources of microplastics is seafood
Professor Matthew Cotton
But the risks of microplastics may vary.
“It can depend on the type of plastic being ingested or inhaled, how they are chemically treated, and how they degrade,” says Prof Cotton.
He adds that plastics sometimes use ‘forever chemicals’ such as phthalates, found in cosmetics, and perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), used in cookware and dental floss.
“These have been shown to disrupt our endocrine systems, increasing our risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer, such as breast and prostate,” he says.
“Meanwhile, BPA mimics the hormone oestrogen, which can interfere with babies’ brain development and reduce fertility in men and women.”
HIDDEN MICROPLASTICS YOU’RE CONSUMING EVERY DAY
1. TEA BAGS
AS a nation, we drink 100million cups of tea every day.
But these brews could be a major source of microplastics – primarily polypropylene.
Research by McGill University found that when a plastic-containing tea bag was steeped in water at 95C, it released around 11.6billion microplastics and 3.1billion nanoplastics into a single cup.
Many brands use plastic to help seal bags during manufacturing, so go for plastic-free varieties from Pukka, Neal’s Yard or Clipper if you can.
Better still, try loose leaf tea.
2. WATER BOTTLES
IF you regularly sip from a plastic bottle, swap to one made of glass or stainless steel.
A plastic 1L bottle contains an average of 240,000 tiny pieces of plastic, with 90 per cent of fragments nanoplastics, research by Columbia University shows.
“One of the best substitutes is stainless steel, but glass bottles are another good option,” Rachel Watkyn, CEO of eco-friendly packaging firm Tiny Box Company, says.
“Both are non-toxic, don’t leach chemicals and last much longer.”
Avoid filling up directly from the tap too.
“Microplastics can be found in tap water due to water supplies being contaminated during treatment or distribution,” Rachel adds.
“To prevent this, you might want to consider getting a water filter.”
Switching from bottled to filtered tap water could reduce your microplastic intake from 90,000 to 4,000 particles a year, experts say.
3. SEAFOOD DINNERS
UNFORTUNATELY, it doesn’t end at what we drink.
“One of the biggest dietary sources of microplastics is seafood,” says Prof Cotton.
“A lot of plastics end up in the oceans when nets and fishing gear are discarded at sea, or when waste management on land is poor.”
Rachel adds: “Microplastics can be consumed by fish and shellfish, which then make their way into our diets, especially when we eat the whole animal, and in particular, filter feeders like mussels and oysters.”
Always wash your seafood thoroughly before cooking, and if you eat it a lot, consider reducing your intake.
4. READY MEALS AND PLASTIC CONTAINERS
HOW many ready meals do you eat a week?
If it’s more than a couple, then it’s time to try homemade.
Rachel says plastics in packaging can shed particles into our food – and this applies to reusable plastic containers too.
“Microwaving, reheating or storing food in plastic containers can cause microplastics to leak,” she adds.
Instead, try ones made from stainless steel or glass.
5. CHOPPING BOARDS
ARE you a plastic or wooden chopping board household?
If you’re the former, consider switching today.
Research has found that your plastic chopping board could be a “significant” source of microplastics.
Boards made from polyethylene or polypropylene can expose you to up to 79.4million microplastics every year, according to the study by North Dakota State University.
6. MAKE-UP
EVEN your beauty bag could be teeming with microplastics.
Facial scrubs, body washes and make-up items like lipstick, eyeshadow and bronzer may contain plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polymethyl methacrylate, Rachel says.
“Try to avoid these where possible,” she adds.
“Instead, look for natural alternatives, such as sugar, salt or apricot seed scrubs, and keep an eye out for certifications such as ‘Zero Plastic Inside’, or eco-friendly labels.”
Plastic - the facts
- A plastic bottle can last for 450 years in the marine environment, slowly fragmenting into smaller and smaller pieces which never truly disappear.
- 8million pieces of plastic pollution make their way into the ocean every day.
- 12million tonnes of plastic is dumped in the ocean every year.
- 80 per cent of all studied marine debris is plastic.
- 5.25trillion macro and microplastics may now be floating in the open ocean, weighing up to 269,000 tonnes. That’s about the same as 1,345 adult blue whales, and 500 times the number of stars in our galaxy.
- 1 in 3 fish caught for human consumption now contains plastic.
- You might use a plastic bag for just 15 minutes, but it could take 100 to 300 years to fragment.
Source: Surfers Against Sewage
