What's the Deal with Microplastics?

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in size. They are found everywhere in the environment, including our food, water, and air. They can enter our bodies through inhalation, ingestion, and absorption through the skin. And I think we should be doing everything in our power to avoid them.

Good morning, everybody. Welcome to MeowMed’s Musings, a newsletter about productivity, well-being, and self-improvement…and perhaps some other topics I’m interested in. You can check out last week’s article here.

I just want to clarify—I do not actually know whether microplastics are truly harmful to health. Animal model studies and observational studies in humans (since it would be unethical to straight up inject people with plastic experimentally) only suggest a potentially negative impact on gut health, metabolism, and fertility. The FDA will only put forth regulations once more evidence has been uncovered by research…right?

Still, while there is no direct proof of harm and there is no means to completely eradicate microplastics, I think it would not hurt to take actionable steps to reduce consumption. Here are some things you can do:

• Avoid bottled water—instead, drink tap water run through a filter in a stainless steel bottle.

• Avoid synthetic clothes made of polyester and wear natural fibers like cotton or hemp instead.

• Wash your clothes less frequently.

• Cook at home more often and avoid takeout containers/plastic tupperware (heating foods in these containers could accelerate microplastic leeching, as well).

• Use natural cleaning products instead of conventional cleaning products.

• Utilize a ceramic or stainless steel pan rather than a non-stick pan with materials such as Teflon.

• Replace plastic cutting boards with wooden ones.

• Generally avoid canned foods (usually there’s a plastic coating on the inside to prevent tin and aluminum from leaking into the food).

• Try to avoid processed foods (especially proteins wrapped in plastic, nuggies have been particularly found to be high).

• If possible, acquire whole foods with minimal plastic wrapping (this I’ve found to be quite difficult).

• Acquire fruits and vegetables at local farmer’s market.

• Try to consume coffee made with French press or a paper filter.

All in all, I would not stress over trying to completely eliminate microplastics. Rather, I think of using some of these steps to try to achieve a generally healthier lifestyle (e.g. eating whole foods). There are also some conflicting sources on how sweat could aid in excretion of these compounds…perhaps an excuse to go out and exercise? What are your thoughts on the ubiquitous nature of microplastics?