It is not just our fertility that is being affected. There are still many unknowns when it comes to their potential risk to human health, says Winston Morgan, professor of toxicology, equity, and inclusive practice at the University of East London.
“Microplastics are capable of transporting pathogens (harmful bacteria), and toxic chemicals into the body, but so are other things we already consume.”
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Morgan shares this sentiment. “There is little the ordinary person can do to reduce their individual risk of exposure, without making difficult and expensive lifestyle changes. The answer lies in legislation, national and international and cultural change within society.”
With this in mind, below are some simple household swaps that may reduce your exposure to some of these things on a small scale. If they reduce your use of plastic in some way, then that is only going to be a good thing.
Look to bamboo for dish and bottle brushes. This set from Vove (£7) uses natural sisal bristles instead of the usual nylon. Replace dish cloths and microfibre cleaning cloths with natural alternatives. These compostable Swedish Dish Cloths from Wild & Stone (£5.50 for four) are made from FSC-certified cellulose and waste cotton.
Groceries
Try to reduce your consumption of foods wrapped in plastic. Signing up for a veg box is a good way to do this, while also reducing food waste and encouraging seasonal eating. Brands like Oddbox also allow you to shop for certain loose refillables like pasta, rice and lentils, too.
Food storage
Silicone sandwich bags (£12.99 for two) beeswax food wraps (£14.99 for three) make more sense over single-use plastic like clingfilm and plastic freezer bags.
Opt for good old-fashioned soap bars to use less plastic (Photo: Getty)Research found that tampons may release plastic nanoparticles during use, while other studies have found some evidence of toxic metals like lead and arsenic. Levels of these chemicals were found to be “very low” and research is still in its early stages. Where possible, you can look to conscious brands which produce products made of 100 per cent certified organic cotton. TOTM states it avoids the use of pesticides, fragrance/perfumes, dyes, artificial absorbents, or chlorine bleach.
Drinkware
Likewise, buy a decent reusable coffee cup, as takeaway coffee cups are typically lined with a thin layer of plastic, making them difficult to recycle and potentially a source of microplastics due to the high temperatures involved. Drinkware brands such as Yeti and Bru offer quality products that last.
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While many manufacturers have phased them out, “cheaper coatings or older cookware can still contain them.”
Upgrade your chopping board to wood and consider your cooking utensils. Studies have shown that preparing food with plastic and non-stick cookware can contribute to the release of microplastics into food. “Everyday durable utensils made from wood or food-grade silicone shed very little and have no proven health risk,” Ghosh says.
Most supermarkets now sell silicone alternatives.
Tap water
One study found that certain brands of dental floss may contain traces of PFAS. Corn-based materials offer a chemical-free alternative. This floss by Brushd (£3) is coated in a plant-based candelilla wax and comes housed in a tiny glass jar.
Soft furnishings
Whether clothes, towels or bed sheets, we should all be making an effort to buy less and when we do, to prioritise products made of natural fibres – those that are durable and will stand the test of time – to reduce our reliance on synthetic alternatives that shed microplastics and often end up in landfill.
Air quality
Research suggests the concentration of microplastics indoors is significantly higher than outdoors. “Ventilating and dusting your home regularly are among the simplest, most effective ways to reduce indoor pollutants,” says Ghosh.
“Just ten minutes with a window open each day can make a measurable difference to air quality, and it costs nothing.
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