How can I reduce my exposure to microplastics?

How can I reduce my exposure to microplastics?

In today’s world microplastics are a threat to human health so how can I reduce my exposure to microplastics?
You are exposed to small, fine particles of plastic that are shed from your clothes, drinking water, home fabrics and furniture and cooking utensils. It is important to reduce your exposure to these particles in order to avoid possible health effects, effects which are being documented by health experts around the world.

Well, let’s start with microplastics itself…what is it and what are we up against?

If we look at an everyday small plastic component, (say a laundry detergent bottle), as an example over time the plastic bottle that is used to contain the liquid leaches and is absorbed by the laundry detergent itself. When you pick up that bottle your hands absorb plastic when you pour the liquid into the washing machine. The small particles that are in the detergent are now in the clothes you are washing. These particles are so small, (microns in size), that they are mostly invisible to the naked eye.

And this bottle, once you finish using it, gets placed in a recycling stream at your curb however, more than likely, the plastic used is non-recyclable. It is estimated that 97% of plastic you place at the curb is not recyclable and it gets placed in a landfill where, over hundreds of years, it leaches plastic into the ground water system.

And anything you see in your home or business made of plastic sheds small particles of plastic into the air and drinking water. These, in turn, enter your bloodstream through inhalation and through your skin.

This is a simple example of how microplastics enter your home and into your body.

So what does this mean to my health and the health of my family?

At the moment, says Stephanie Wright, an environmental toxicologist at Imperial College, London, “I would say reducing particle exposure in general (including microplastic) is likely to be highly  beneficial”.

Some of the highest exposures to microplastics, says Wright, “are likely to come from plastic wrapped foods and drinks as well as within the home environment”. It is important to factor in these two sources when looking at how to reduce your exposure.
And plastic tends to shed more small particles when it is exposed to heat. A plastic water bottle, when left in the sun, sheds a tremendous amount of plastic particles directly into the water you then drink. Plastic wrapped meat is also a concern, (butchers used to wrap meat in paper 50 or so years ago), considering we then heat the product and possibly change the molecular structure of the microplastics embedded in the meat.

So, how do I reduce the amount of microplastics I am exposed to?

When thinking about reducing microplastic exposure it becomes easy to start to believe that elimination of these particles may be impossible. While complete sterilization and removal of these particles may be difficult, it is extremely important to reduce the amount that you are exposed to.

Just starting with small steps is recommended.

For instance, not heating food or liquid that is in a plastic container is a good habit. Avoid “boil in the bag” products, bottled water, (choose tap water and hold it in a metal bottle), and any other product that has come in contact with plastic. And with respect to tap water, please note that while some people use home water filters they usually are made of plastic and shed particles as it degrades.
We can stress ourselves out over all of these things and put too much focus on it but the reality is that people are living longer than they’ve ever lived before. Some people in a [global] population of 8 billion, of course, will be affected and may well die as a result of microplastics exposure. The way forward is balancing the risk of microplastics versus practical actions and lifespan.

Microplastic exposure in homes is where people absorbs the most plastic contamination. It is almost impossible to avoid these particles and so there’s no point worrying over every bit of plastic we are exposed to. We need to focus on minimizing uses of plastic where other materials could be used in their place. Essentially, look to where the largest exposures are coming from and eliminating them first. Over time you will have reduced exposures dramatically.

For instance, plastics are used as components used within the human body, (stents, valves, joint components, etc.), which would be typified as an essential use whereas sealing meat or other food products in plastic would be non-essential plastic use.

When looking at new furnishings, clothes or materials you are going to use during a renovation buy natural fabrics where possible. A polyester carpet or plastic sheet flooring may not make sense considering the wear and tear on these products will release a considerable amount of microplastics during its lifespan. The carpets, the curtains, the sofa, most of those are probably not made from fully natural fabrics, and they degrade and their fibres accumulate.

He says: “It’s very clear, whether you’re dealing with microplastics or trace metals such as lead, zinc, cadmium and arsenic that migrate into a home, that regular vacuuming is really effective at reducing the load.” If you don’t vacuum, the dust remobilizes and, adds Taylor, “deposits in open water vessels, on your fruit, on people’s hands, kitchen utensils”.

Every little action you take to reduce consumption and absorption of these particles is a healthy choice. It matters…on a personal level you can make choices based on unnecessary exposure but also as an act of consumer protest.

The other reason the health risks will grow with time is because the older the particles are, the more toxic they can become. They can harbour pathogenic microbes and take on other pollutants such as heavy metals. And if you swallow that microplastic, you’re swallowing a small dose of another harmful chemical as well. These chemicals include, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, plasticizers like phenol A that are used in things like furnishings and packaging – they can have hormone mimicking or carcinogenic properties. Heavy metals like copper, vanadium, mercury, lead. Cadmium contaminated sediments have already become associated with plastics.

Meanwhile, avoiding traffic-heavy roads is always recommended, where microplastics are part of the toxic soup of pollution. Plastic comes off road markings and wears off brakes made from composite synthetic polymers.

 

 

 

            

 Leaders in Microplastic Removal and reduction services

Call 416-254-7256 to talk with us about your issue anytime.

Maple Leaf Mold Inc. is a certified  mold / asbestos / microplastics assessment, removal and environmental air analysis company located in Toronto that uses certified IICRC technicians for all testing and remediation projects.

We are a professionally accredited firm experienced in testing, verifying  and removing Mold / Asbestos / Microplastics / Lead and other environmental contaminants, as well as providing disinfection services to control and kill biological contaminants.

 

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