Microplastics are everywhere: 6 ways to help protect your health – and the planet

The purge of our world of microplastics requires a change at the government level. But until this happens, here are some things that people can do to make a difference.

Plastic pollution has reached every corner of our planet, from the highest mountains to the deep trenches of the ocean. Also contamine the air we breathe and the water we drink.

According to a 2023 report of the United Nations environment program (UNEP), the world produces around 400 million tons of plastic waste every year. And about 85 % end up in landfills, incinerators or environment, where they break in dangerous microplastics.

In Plastic peoplea documentary of The nature of thingsSarika Cullis-Suzuki connects to the scientific journalist Ziya Tong to explore our world full of plastic and its potential impacts on human health.

Small particles, great impact

Microplastics – particles under five millimeters in length – can be deliberately produced for inclusion in products such as cosmetics. But many of them come from the degradation of packaging, synthetic fabrics, paints, personal care products and other plastic items.

“Some of these, while breaking into increasingly smaller pieces, can climb the atmosphere and travel globally in that way,” says the ecologist Chelsea Rochman in the film.

“It is eaten by almost all levels of the food chain … so they are (in) atmospheric currents, global powder cycles, water cycle, carbon cycle.”

In the documentary, with the help of the microplastic researcher Mary Kosuth, Tong discovers the alarming extension of microplastic contamination, finding it almost everywhere – from domestic dust to the snow of the courtyard to its own body.

“We found it in my blood, we found it in my feces,” says Tong. Microplastics were also found in human lungs, placenta and even in our brain.

A study commissioned by World Wide Fund for Nature discovered that people could induce five grams or a plastic of a credit card every week.

“The study of the toxicity of the microplastics is at the beginning, but we are starting to learn that they are a transport mechanism to obtain bad chemicals in people”, says Pete Myers, head of the sciences of non -profit environmental health sciences.

The phthalates and bisfenol A (BPA) are two compounds that are commonly found in plastic that can make its way into the body. In Plastic peopleExperts discuss how they affect the endocrine system and have been connected to various health problems, including obesity, fertility and cancer problems.

Face our microplasty problem

The purge of our world of microplastics looks like a discouraging challenge.

As a long -standing activist against plastic pollution, Tong believes that the change must take place in terms of government. “In the end, it is politics,” he says in the documentary. “As individuals, we are trapped. There is only so much that we can do.”

As a step towards this, UNEP is currently developing a Legally binding international agreement on plastic pollution. He will face “the entire life cycle of plastic”, says the authority, from production to disposal.

In the meantime, there are many people who work on plastic alternatives. In Plastic peopleCullis-Suzuki Visit Bio Visit, a Surrey, BC, a company that is developing innovative biodegradable materials and products, such as a Biostow that would consist of three to six months.

However, until the change in the government enters into force and alternative materials are the norm, what can we do as individuals? Here are some steps you can do to protect your health and the planet.

Tip 1: Choose natural fibers

UNEP estimates that about 60 % of the material transformed into plastic clothing and these synthetic fabrics are one of the main sources of microplastic contamination.

“While wearing more and more plastic clothes, those fibers are lost, descend, (e) end up in the lakes and local rivers,” says the author and environmentalist Rick Smith in the documentary.

A simple change is to opt for clothing made with natural fibers, such as cotton, wool and linen, rather than polyester, nylon and acrylic clothing.

Tip 2: Wash synthetic clothes on a delicate cycle

The synthetic clothes are not limited to losing the fibers during wear. Production, disposal and washing are all sources of microplastic pollution.

In fact, a study has shown that a single laundry load can Unleashes hundreds of thousands of microfibre in water supply.

Wash synthetic clothes on a “delicate” cycle with cold water, however, can Reduce the microplastic spread of almost 70 %According to the search for the Ocean Wise conservation group.

Furthermore, Using a washing bag It can help capture microfibre before entering the water system.

Tip 3: Replace plastic storage containers and kitchen tools

The plastic particles of containers and bottles can smooth themselves in foods and drinks – in particular if heated – and over time they break in microplasty.

A simple exchange is to replace plastic vases with glass or stainless steel. These materials also tend to last longer, which is better for the environment.

The transition from plastic cutting boards and utensils to alternatives such as bamboo, wood and stainless steel can also help to minimize the exposure.

“I threw my plastic turkey table out,” says Tong in the documentary. “I was realizing:” Oh my God, every time I use my knife, I’m cutting the microplastics in the food I am eating. “

Tip 4: avoid microbets

Some personal care products, such as detergents, shampoo, toothpaste, shower gel and cosmetics, contain microplastics in the form of microbets. These tiny plastic particles are often made of polyethylene and are used to provide exfoliation.

To reduce exposure to microspheres (and prevent them from entering the water supply), check the labels for ingredients such as polyethylene or polypropylene and choose natural exfoluts.

Tip 5: cut disposable plastic

According to UNEP, Over one million plastic bottles are purchased every minuteAnd every year a tie with five trillion plastic bags are used.

“Almost half of all plastic produced goes to disposable objects,” says Smith in the documentary.

Invest in alternatives as reusable shopping bags, bottles of water and containers and portals with you – to reduce the need to buy and use these items.

Tip 6: Swap at the grocery store

To reduce microplastic exposure in food, avoid plastic packaged products. Check if the items are available in glass or paper packaging.

Recent searches It also shows that highly transformed foods significantly contain more microplastic per gram than the less transformed options. This may be due to the fact that these foods spend more time in contact with plastic production equipment or spend more time exposed to dust and other air contamination. So you could consider the exchange of products such as chicken pepper for the whole chicken breast.

You can also limit the consumption of molluscsSince they are prone to a microplastic accumulation by the oceans and we eat them whole, including their digestive systems.

Do you drink a lot of tea? Some tea sachets are made of Tereftolato Polyethylene (PET) and Nylon, and McGill University researchers have discovered that the release of a single plastic -based tea in hot water can release 11.6 billion of microplastic particles per cup. To minimize exposure to plastic, try to move on to paper bags or tea to the loose leaves.

Clock Plastic people ON Gem CBC AND The nature of things youtube channels.