Microplastics seem totally inevitable: they are in our tea bags, our food and even in our blood. Since plastic is not biodegraded, it continues to decompose into smaller and smaller particles – then the micro and nanoplastics enter, the size of which can vary from less than 5 mm to 1 micrometer [a milésima parte do milímetro].
We breathe and consume these particles regularly – a December 2023 study in the Environmental Revista PolLation has determined that people are ingesting up to 3.8 million microplastics per year with meat only. Scientists are finding that this frequent exposure can negatively affect brain health, fertility and intestinal microbiome.
But just because we hear that microplastics are everywhere, it doesn’t mean we can’t – and we shouldn’t – try to reduce our exposure. Here are five ways to start reducing your exposure.
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1. Avoid plastic water bottles – and boil the water
A 2019 study published in Environmental Science & Technology magazine estimated that people who drank bottled water were ingesting 90,000 additional microplastics per year – but moving to tap water could reduce that number to 4,000.
Another 2024 study revealed that boiling tap water can remove at least 80% of potential micro and nanoplastics.
A study published in November investigated the release of micro and nanoplastics from three empty tea bags purchased on Amazon, online shopping site Aliexpress and a supermarket. The researchers found that tea bags made with the polypropylene plastic substance-used to seal the tea bags-released about 1.2 billion small pieces of plastic by milliliter of tea, while the nylon-6 bags released 135 million pieces and cellulose deeds released 8.2 million nan-range plastic particles (extremely extreme small).
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The three types of tea bags that researchers have tested are commonly found in their grocery store or online. But what tea bags should you avoid in the supermarket?
These brands, according to the Center for Environmental Health, do not use plastic on their tea bags:
| Traditional Medicinals |
| Pukka |
| Call teas |
| Republic of Tea |
| Stash |
| Yogi Tea |
You can always jump the tea bag and opt for loose leaf tea, which you can infuse a metal tea or food silicone infusion.
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3. Avoid plastic in the kitchen
Experts have told Fortune that avoiding microwaves, cooking or even storing and freezing plastic foods is a simple step you can take to reduce your exposure to microplastics and chemicals contained in them. Heating foods in plastic containers can leach microplastics directly on your foods while cooking with or using plastic utensils poses a similar risk.
Instead, you can choose glass or metal containers and bamboo, wood, metal or food silicone utensils.
Experts also warned to try to eat below in the food chain to avoid higher concentrations of endocrine plastics and deregulators in the bodies of animals that consume plants and other prey that contains microplastics.
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4. Minimize the use of certain personal care products
According to the Environmental Working Group, many personal care and beauty products are made with ftlates, a harmful chemical that deregulates the endocrine system in fragrances or within the plastic packaging itself.
“Combat the Micro Sphere” is a campaign that brings awareness about the presence of microplastics in cosmetic products. The name refers to a commonly added plastic – microspheres – used to rub or exfoliate.
Avoiding products with microspheres and ftlates can help reduce your exposure to microplastics – but if you want to go one step further, you can buy products without plastic, such as shampoos and solid conditioners, bar soaps and facial cleaning bars.
5. Keep your home clean and synthetic fibers outside
Inner air and domestic dust can be one of the largest places for exposure to microplastics, revealed a 2022 study. Regular wear releases plastic floors, furniture, clothing and carpets in the air we breathe. The study also pointed to shoes that track out microplastic particles from the outside.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns that clothes made with synthetic fibers – polyester, rayon, acrylic, nylon or elastane – are full of microplastics in the form of microfibers. Choosing clothes with natural fibers without plastic, such as organic cotton, wool, linen, can help reduce your body contact with microplastics and the amount that is released from washing and drying synthetic clothes.
EPA recommends the following to help reduce general microfiber pollution:
| Wash the clothes less often. |
| Wash only complete loads of clothes. This results in less friction between clothing and reduces the spill of synthetic fibers. |
| Wash the clothes with cold water for a shorter period of time. |
| If possible, use a front loading washer. A 2016 study at the University of California in Santa Barbara showed that upper load washing machines produced significantly more microfibers than front loading machines. |
| Install an outer microfiber filter on your washing machine or use a microfiber bag to hold clothing. There are several commercially available external lint filters or more affordable products, such as washing bags and laundry balls designed to capture microfibers. Then throw all the microfibers collected in the trash. |
As with clothes, try to opt for furniture and rugs made of natural fibers. Also, try not to walk the house with your shoes to avoid bringing more microplastics and make sure you aspirate and sweep frequently.
This story was originally published on Fortune.com
