There’s plastic in my body?
Have you ever stopped to think about how many times a day you come into contact with plastic? Apart from the obvious places like your shampoo bottle or the yogurt tub, plastic is found in some surprising places—your exfoliating face wash, the lining of food cans, and your clothes.
The problem with plastics is that they don’t only affect the environment, filling up landfills and creating floating islands in the sea. This modern convenience carries a hidden danger: microplastics.
These tiny particles have infiltrated the environment, and, even more alarming, our bodies. The human body has become a waste collection point similar to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
This article dives into the sordid world of microplastics. Find out what they are, where they come from, how they affect your health, and what you can do to minimize your exposure.
What are Microplastics?
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in length–smaller than a grain of rice. They come in two main types:
- Primary microplastics: These are deliberately manufactured to be small, such as microbeads used in cosmetics and pellets used in industrial processes.
- Secondary microplastics: These are derived from the breakdown of larger plastic items such as tires and food packaging due to environmental factors like sunlight, wind, and waves.
No matter where they come from, these miniscule particles pose a significant threat to our environment and health.
What are your clothes made out of?
Synthetic fabrics are another common source of microplastics. Some particles rub off on your skin, but a large number are released when you wash and dry your clothes, thus being released in the waste water.
Another very visible source of microplastics is discarded plastic items. Containers such as bottles and food packaging slowly degrade over time. As the environmental elements break down the plastic, small particles are released into the air, soil, and water.
Factories are notorious for generating environmental pollution. Manufacturing processes often result in the production of microplastics, which are discarded in industrial waste water.
Finally, your car and every other vehicle on the road is contributing to microplastic pollution. Tiny particles of plastic break off your tires as you drive.
How Microplastics Enter the Human body
According to scientific studies, it is estimated that 39,000 to 74,000 microplastic particles enter the average human body every year. In fact, research suggests that these numbers are significantly underestimated.
So how do these particles come to be in your body? Considering they’re so widespread, it’s not surprising that they are found in:
- Food, especially seafood
- Drinking water, both tap and bottled
- The air you breathe
- Beauty products
Health Effects of Microplastics
How microplastics affect human health is an area of ongoing research, but early findings are concerning. Studies reveal that microplastics cause inflammation, oxidative stress, and neurotoxicity. They also affect fat metabolism and cause dysbiosis in the gut microbiome.
Their effects are far-reaching and impact several systems in the body, leading to digestive issues, hormone imbalance, infertility, immunity problems, and respiratory conditions.
7 Tips to Reduce Microplastic Exposure
It is virtually impossible to completely avoid microplastics in the modern world. But there are steps you can take to reduce your exposure.
- Choose clothing made from natural fibers. Fabric made from cotton, wool, bamboo, and hemp reduces microplastic shedding during washing and drying.
- Use microfiber-catching laundry bags. They trap most of the microfibers released during washing.
- Avoid single-use plastics. Straws, cups, disposable plastic bags, bottles, and plastic cutlery all contribute to the vast amount of plastic waste littering the planet.
- Filter drinking water. Use a quality water filter to remove microplastics from your drinking water.
- Choose natural personal care products. Avoid those containing microbeads or wrapped in excess plastic.
- Store food in glass containers. Prevent microplastic food contamination by avoiding plastic food packaging.
- Support policies aimed at reducing plastic pollution.
Since the food you eat, water you drink, and air you breathe is contaminated with microplastics, supporting your body’s natural detoxification pathways is critical for ensuring good health.
Antioxidants and minerals, such as beta carotene, L-methionine, and selenium found in Meehan Formulations’ Cell Support supplement, can help counteract the harmful effects of microplastics in your body.
In summary, microplastics can’t be avoided; they are found everywhere. You should be mindful of how you use plastic in your household to minimize your exposure and prevent the health risks associated with ingesting microplastics.
Thank you for reading!
