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How can I protect myself from microplastics with...
plastic-free water bottles?
Learn about the dangers of microplastics in the human body and what you can do to reduce your exposure.
The Microplastic Problem
The world is plastic, but you don't have to be.
- What are microplastics?
Microplastics, defined as plastic particles less than 5mm in size, have become ubiquitous in our environment.
They originate from various sources, including the breakdown of larger plastic debris, microbeads in personal care products, and synthetic fibers shed from clothing.
These tiny particles have infiltrated every corner of our planet, from the deepest ocean trenches to the highest mountain peaks.
- What do microplastics do to the human body?
Recent studies have detected microplastics in human blood, lungs, and placenta, raising serious concerns about their impact on human health.
While research is ongoing, early evidence suggests that these particles may cause inflammation, disrupt hormones, and potentially lead to other adverse health effects.
- How can I protect myself from microplastics?
Fortunately, there is a lot you can do to reduce or even fully eliminate methods of exposure to microplastics.
Filtering your water with reverse osmosis systems, drinking water from non-plastic water bottles, and avoiding synthetic clothing are just a few of the many ways you can reduce microplastic exposure.
At No Plastic, No Problem, we research and share the best solutions for microplastics so can start protecting you and your family today.
Guides & Science
The world is plastic, but you don't have to be
What can I do to reduce my microplastic exposure?
The dawn of the plastic age can be traced back to World War II, when the United States ramped up production of synthetic materials to support the war effort. This massive industrial mobilization led to significant advancements in polymer science and plastic manufacturing techniques. As the war concluded, companies found themselves with surplus manufacturing capacity and sought new markets for their plastic products.
In the post-war era, plastic rapidly infiltrated everyday life. Manufacturers began using this versatile material for an array of consumer goods, from bottles and packaging to clothing and household items. The durability, low cost, and convenience of plastic products fueled their widespread adoption, ushering in a new era of disposable consumerism.
Unintended Consequences on the Environment
However, the very qualities that made plastic so appealing—its durability and resistance to degradation—soon revealed a dark side. As plastic production skyrocketed, so did pollution. Discarded plastic items began accumulating in landfills, waterways, and oceans at an alarming rate. Over time, these larger plastic pieces broke down into smaller fragments, giving rise to what we now know as microplastics.
Microplastics, defined as plastic particles less than 5mm in size, have become ubiquitous in our environment. They originate from various sources, including the breakdown of larger plastic debris, microbeads in personal care products, and synthetic fibers shed from clothing. These tiny particles have infiltrated every corner of our planet, from the deepest ocean trenches to the highest mountain peaks.
Acceleration of the Exposure and Spread of Microplastics
The pervasiveness of microplastics has led to their inevitable entry into the food chain. Marine organisms ingest these particles, mistaking them for food, and as larger animals consume these contaminated organisms, microplastics accumulate up the food chain. This bioaccumulation has resulted in the presence of microplastics in the human food supply, particularly in seafood, salt, and even drinking water.
Recent studies have detected microplastics in human blood, lungs, and placenta, raising serious concerns about their potential impact on human health. While research is ongoing, early evidence suggests that these particles disrupt hormones, impact fertility, cause inflammation and cancer, and potentially lead to other adverse health effects.
The microplastic problem represents an unintended consequence of our reliance on plastic, stemming from decisions made decades ago. As awareness grows, so does the urgency to address this global issue through policy changes, improved waste management, and consumer action.
Guides:
Solutions & Products
Find the best ways to remove microplastics from your lifestyle.
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Drinking inadequately filtered water is the leading source of microplastic exposure.
The most important first step to reducing the majority of your microplastic exposure is filtering the tap water in your home. Contrary to popular belief, carbon-based filters alone such as Brita fridge-stored pitcher filters do not provide the filtration quality required for filtering microplastics.
Reverse osmosis is proven to be one of the best ways to remove the smallest particles, which is necessary not only for viruses, bacteria, and heavy metals, but also microplastics.
Investing in a countertop, under sink, or whole house reverse osmosis water filter can protect you from exposure through ingestion.
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How to Implement:
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Using single use and reusable plastic water bottles sheds microplastics into your water, even if filled with previously filtered water.
Single use and reusable plastic water bottles have the highest concentration of microplastics and only increase in toxic levels over time, especially when exposed to sunlight and high heat.
Labels such as ‘BPA-free’ are misleading, as most of these products have simply replaced BPA with other chemicals bisphenol-family such as BPF and BPS which are being discovered to have the same endocrine disrupting effects as BPA-based products, if not worse.
Replacing your daily water bottle with a stainless steel, glass, copper, or titanium interior water bottle is a great way to safely ensure you are not re-introducing microplastics into your water. Most “non-plastic” water bottle brands feature plastic components such as plastic lids, but are generally a much better alternative to fully plastic water bottles.
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How to Implement:
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Micro- and nanoplastics can be in the air you breathe, especially in dustborne areas.
Like microplastic ingestion, microplastic inhalation can lead to the same negative health effects and can be even more toxic due to their smaller particle size.
Investing in HEPA-grade air filters that can catch the smallest of microplastic particles are essential for keeping your air well ventilated and limiting microplastic inhalation.
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Plastic, PFA, and PTFE-Free Kitchenware
Replace toxic non-stick pans, plastic tupperware, and plastic cooking utensils.
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Cooking with non-stick teflon pans, storing and reheating food in plastic tupperware, and preparing food with plastic utensils sheds microplastics that can be ingested.
Microplastics are already shed into most food products during the manufacturing and packaging process, but by replacing toxic kitchenware you can prevent further exposure.
Non-stick Teflon pans have toxic coatings that flake into foods when cooking. Swapping out these pans for cast iron, stainless steel, and the right ceramic enameled pans can prevent this issue.
Storing and reheating food in plastic tupperware is another major source of microplastics. Tossing these plastic containers in favor of glass tupperwares and ideally non-plastic lids are a great way to limit this method of exposure.
Plastic cutting boards, spatulas, spoons, and other utensils are also leaching microplastics into your food, especially under high heat, even if they are labeled as ‘food-grade’ such as silicone kitchenware. Replacing these with wood and stainless steel options is key to removing this avenue of microplastic exposure.
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How to Implement:
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Polyester-based clothing makes up for a large portion of microplastic pollution, which can be absorbed directly through your skin.
Almost all modern clothing is partially or fully polyester-based fabric, including athletic wear and articles with stretchy properties.
Constant direct contact with polyesters should be avoided, especially underwear, which is in closest proximity to male and female genitals.
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How to Implement:
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Polyester-based bedding can also be absorbed directly through your skin.
Replacing polyester and non-organic bed sheets are also important for reducing microplastic absorption, since the average human will sleep a third of their lives, often nude.
It might be difficult to replace all of your plastic clothing at once, and even more so keep your sense of style, so limiting these products where you can is good enough.
For all other use cases, such as wardrobes, furniture, carpets, and curtains, you can opt for natural fabrics to further decrease your daily microplastic exposure.
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Plastic in toothbrushes, dental floss, cleansing products, and makeup can dose you with microplastics.
Most modern toothbrushes and dental floss are made from nylon and often coated in PTFEs, a forever chemical. Replacing them with organic solutions such as boar hair bristle toothbrushes and silk-based floss can prevent thousands of microplastics from shedding into your mouth with every use.
Cleansing products and makeup brands used to use phthalates, a chemical that made the texture of these products oily and softer to the touch. While worldwide bans on most applications of phthalates are a great step, most hygiene products still come in plastic containers.
Note: we are currently researching reliable companies and products to avoid this specific method of microplastic exposure, and will update with new articles as soon as we can.
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