Substances are lurking in our ecosystem that can have real ramifications for our health. Microplastic exposure is now a growing concern, especially if you watched Netflix’s The Plastic Detox recently. You may have come away feeling alarmed that these tiny plastic particles can act like endocrine disruptors (chemicals that interfere with hormones) or carry them into your 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.
“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 gynaecology doctor and chief medical officer at Clue. 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 can make all the difference, so here, Vogue presents some of the ways to help limit your microplastic exposure.
Carry your own bottle of water on a daily basis
If you’re used to buying a bottle of packaged water every time you’re outside or getting to work, it might be time to 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 plastic utensils
Particles from plastic food containers 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 in microplastic exposure.
“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, 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.
