Going Microplastic-Free Guide

Is it possible to reduce my microplastic exposure?

Yes - with the right solutions and knowledge, you can reduce your microplastic exposure as soon as today.

In this guide, you will learn the best ways to reduce ingestion, inhalation, and absorption of microplastics.

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What are microplastics anyway, and why are they bad for us?

Microplastics are small pieces and particles that have broken off into the environment from plastic products such as plastic water bottles, plastic clothing, car tires, and any other plastic materials, especially when exposed to heat, mechanical wear, and UV light.

These particles can enter our system through ingestion (drinking water and eating food that contain microplastics), inhalation (breathing in the smallest microplastics, sometimes referred to as nanoplastics), and absorption (small particles entering through our pores from plastic clothing, especially when we sweat)

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As you may have or have not already known (or had read about on this blog) these microplastic particles are negatively affecting us in ways we still do not fully understand.

From tricking our bodies into the suppression of important hormones, increasing rates of sperm infertility, and unnaturally affecting our digestive, cardiac, and pulmonary systems, microplastics are a serious threat to our health and wellbeing.

We have made an article going more in detail about what microplastics are, where it comes from, and the effects they have on the human body.

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Fortunately, there is a lot you can do to reduce or completely eliminate the most common ways that microplastics enter your body.

How to reduce your ingestion of microplastics.

1. Use a reverse osmosis water filter.

By far the most common way we consume microplastics is through our water source. A 2018 study by Mason et al. surveyed bottle water around the world and concluded that nearly every single source contained some form of microplastics that were introduced by the bottle filling process, or by the water bottle containers themselves.

A similar study conducted by their team the previous year investigated tap water around the world with similarly alarming rates of microplastics - the US having the highest concentration with 94% of tap water sources containing these particles.

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The most reliable way to remove particles of this size is through a reverse osmosis filtration system. Reverse osmosis, or RO for short, is a common water purification technique that your local water treatment plant might be using today.

Even though the filtration of a good RO filter would be enough to remove most microplastics, most modern homes contain piping that could leech plastic back into your water, whether that be contact with PVC piping, rubber gaskets, or other plastic components.

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The only way to guarantee the best filtered water is to have an RO system at home. These systems come in three different types - under the sink, connected directly to your incoming water supply, over the counter in a portable filtration system, or a in a whole-house configuration that is designed for supplying filtered water to multiple bathrooms and kitchens.

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2. Drink from non-plastic water bottles.

When you filter your water, you also want to be sure you are not putting it directly back into a plastic bottle, as you would defeat the purpose of the filtration you just performed. Stainless steel bottles are a great option because the material does not leech into your liquids like plastic, and is not as brittle as a bottle made of glass. The drawback of stainless steel bottles could be the overall weight, but there are plenty of aftermarket bottle strap accessories to make carrying them easier.

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3. Replace non-stick Teflon pans with cast iron, stainless steel, or ceramic enameled alternatives.

According to a Science of the Total Environment article in 2022, non-stick teflon pans can release tens of thousands of microplastic particles that can go directly into our tasty meals. Although non-stick is convenient, opting for cast iron, stainless steel, and ceramic enameled pans will remove this exposure from your kitchen.

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4. Replace plastic tupperware with glass and wooden storage containers.

When it comes to storing and reheating food, glass should be replacing your plastic tupperware options. Some brands include non-plastic lids with their glass tupperware to ensure that food storage is completely plastic-free.

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5. Replace silicone and plastic kitchen utensils with wood or stainless steel options.

Another common plastic kitchen item is the rubber or silicone utensils - these too can leech microplastics into your food under heat and abrasion. Moving towards stainless steel or wood utensils will alleviate this source of plastic.

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We have a complete guide for reducing ingestion of microplastics while preparing food in the kitchen below.

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How to reduce your inhalation of microplastics.

1. Use a HEPA-grade air filter in your household.

A study in 2017 investigated the presence of airborne microplastics in various working environments around the world and found an incredible amount of particles in nearly every location. The science behind the health implications of microplastics breathed in are even less fully understood, as the definition of 'micro'-plastics is confined to a specific size of particle, of which only the smaller end of the spectrum can be breathed in. There are even smaller particles, 'nano'-plastics that are breathed deep into the lungs and could accumulate even more heavily in persons with ongoing lung conditions or diseases.

As of now, the best we can do about these particles is to eliminate as much as we can from the air we commonly breathe. This can be done with commercial-grade or high-end consumer grade air purification systems with HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air)-rated filters.

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2. "Wet" dust surfaces in your home often, and reduce the amount of polyester clothes and bedding you wear in your house.

By dusting often, you can prevent the buildup of tiny micro- and nanoplastics on surfaces which can be kicked up with movement and subsequently breathed in.

Also, synthetic clothing makes up a huge portion of microplastic emission into the air especially when worn and lounged in, so not only is plastic-based clothing an issue for absorption reasons, but also inhalation.

How to reduce your absorption of microplastics.

A recent article in the April 2024 edition of the Environmental International provided the first experimental evidence of dermal bioavailability of toxic chemical additives from microplastics, with a focus on flame retardants from extinguishers. While this article was focused specifically on the plastic added to these chemical flame retardants, it was proof of dermal bioavailability for small microplastics.

This study confirmed the raising suspicion of the ability for humans to absorb small microplastic particles through the skin. The abrasion can be further exacerbated when the contact with these plastics come from daily-used items, such as clothing and bedsheets made from non-natural fibers.

You can find our article specifically talking about which fibers are safe and do not emit microplastic particles into the air below.

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1. Replace polyester bedding with organic materials such as cotton, linen, and wool.

With this study in mind, it is clear that consumers should aim to first replace their bedsheets, pillow cases, blankets etc. with non-plastic options such as cotton, linen, and wool alternatives. It is especially important to do this because this is up to a third of a human's life in potentially direct contact with plastic fibers that can leach into the skin, causing harm.

We have put together a comprehensive article on the best alternatives to common plastic bedding items below.

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2. Replace synthetic clothing with organic materials, particularly underwear.

Unfortunately, it can be understandably difficult to completely remove plastic from your wardrobe. However, there are worthwhile tradeoffs that can be made for certain items, such as partial or fully natural-fiber under garments in direct contact with your skin or genitals.

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3. Avoid plastic toiletries, such as cleansers, makeup, and dental hygiene products that are made of plastic.

One of the last ways that plastics can be absorbed through our skin and gums is through hygiene products such as cleansers and toothbrushes that could contain plastic.

So far, we have written an article specifically on how to avoid nylon-bristled toothbrushes and PTFE-coated floss.

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Conclusion

This article and all of our guide articles are always being updated to bring the newest science and research to our readers. We aim to expand on this article before the end of 2024 to become more exhaustive and complete, as there are still many ways you can be exposed to microplastics, even though our guide has prioritized the most effective ways in reducing overall exposure.