What are microplastics? Plastic gradually degrades into microscopic microplastics that we consume, drink, and breathe in. Inevitably, microplastics find their way into natural food systems where they can eventually end up on your plate. Though it is impossible to totally avoid microplastics, we can reduce our exposure significantly.
Here are some ways to hopefully avoid microplastics:
1. Avoid Single-use Packaging
Carry your own takeaway containers and reusable silverware. More toxins seep into your meal when heated food comes into touch with plastic to-go containers. The same holds true for your morning coffee poured into a throwaway, plastic-lined cup.
2. Avoid Plastic Food Containers
If you must use plastic containers, avoid heating them in the microwave or storing hot food in them as heat can exacerbate leaching. Try using glass or metal containers instead, and use beeswax wrap rather than plastic wrap.
3. Replace Plastic Cutting Board
Chopping on a plastic cutting board can generate microplastics, so consider a wood or silicone board instead. Wood cutting boards are porous and may not be thoroughly cleaned, so be sure to disinfect wooden cutting boards on a regular basis.
4. Avoid Plastic Water Bottles
One of the simplest ways we could lower our intake of microplastics is to refuse single-use plastic bottles. Stay away from BPA-free plastic, tritan copolyester, and most aluminum water bottles, because they also contain unseen liner materials such as epoxy, resin, polymer, or enamel. Your best hope for plastic-free solutions are glass or stainless-steel bottles.
5. Limit Seafood Intake
Seafood has the highest content of microplastics, because the majority of plastic trash ends up in the ocean, where it degrades into particles small enough to be ingested by plankton. The plastic then travels up the food chain and contaminates the majority of the seafood we consume.
6. Avoid Food in Metal Cans
Metal cans are lined with either BPA (bisphenol-A) or an alternate BPA-free chemical. This is particularly harmful to oily seafood, such as anchovies or sardines, and canned tomatoes. Tomato acidity accelerates the pace at which the chemicals leach. This also applies to carbonated drinks, such as sparkling water or beer. Look for glass containers rather than metal or aluminum ones when purchasing fish and fizzy drinks.
7. Filter your Tap Water
It’s very likely that the tap water you drink contains microplastics. Although there are other sources of these plastics, littering, stormwater runoff, and inadequate wastewater treatment facility management are the main ones. Get a water filter for your drinking water, such as a distillation or carbon block filter, which have both been shown to remove 100% of known microplastics.
8. Reduce Processed Food
Studies indicate that meals with a high processing level contain more microplastics. The use of plastic tools or packaging in the production, processing, or delivery of food might contaminate processed foods with microplastics.
Making an effort to reduce the amount of plastic you use not only helps the planet but helps you to be healthier as well.
For more information about avoiding plastics and detoxing please call the office 517 721-1904.