Now that new research has linked common additives to many plastics with falling sperm counts, many of us are wondering how to reduce exposure to microplastics and chemicals such as PFAS, or so-called “forever chemicals.”
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.
“For example, PFAS are known hazards, however knowing the level of risk they pose to an individual is difficult to determine,” he says. “Harm from these chemicals will come under very specific conditions and [be] determined by the level or duration of exposure, genetics and general lifestyle”.
“Microplastics are capable of transporting pathogens (harmful bacteria), and toxic chemicals into the body, but so are other things we already consume.”
Microplastics (solid particles of less than 5mm in diameter) generally form from the breakdown of larger pieces of plastic, explains Oliver Jones, professor of chemistry, at RMIT University in Australia. “Despite all of the scary stories we read in the press and the huge number of papers published on microplastics each year, there is still very little evidence of harm from microplastics. That’s not the same thing as saying that they are safe, nor that plastics in the environment aren’t a problem, but we probably can’t reduce exposure entirely. If you want to try, the main thing to do would be to reduce your use of plastics.”
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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.”
That said, he adds that there is “no doubt that plastics of all sizes are harmful to the environment primarily because they are not biodegradable, so we should find ways of using less and recycling more efficiently.”
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.
Focus on the things you replace regularly, such as scourers, dish brushes and cloths. Swap synthetic sponges, made of plastic-based materials with eco alternatives – these sponges from Seep (£26) are made from loofah and wood pulp cellulose and are suitable for home composting.
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.
Regular dishwasher tablets often come individually wrapped in non-recyclable plastic and contain harsh chemicals that pollute waterways. Tablets from brands such as OceanSaver are free from harmful chemicals like phosphonates and sulfonate-based surfactants. Laundry sheets from brands like Dip are free from things like unnatural bleaches and optical brighteners.
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
“We all have those identical-looking plastic containers stacked in our kitchen cupboards, but they are often cheaply produced with unknown manufacturing standards, and heating them can release bisphenols (BPA) into your food. Transferring food into glass or ceramic before reheating “is a simple way to remove the risk entirely,” insists registered toxicologist Rani Ghosh.
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)Many new beauty brands champion sustainability and using less plastic. Opt for good old bars of soap, as well as shampoo and conditioner bars. Brands like Lush, Eco Warrior and Foamie pass the lather test.
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
If you haven’t already – stop buying plastic water bottles, “which likely generate microplastics every time you screw or unscrew the lid,” according to Jones. Invest in a leak-proof reusable water bottle. Stainless steel keeps your cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot – brands like Ion8 make quality, affordable products.
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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“PFAS have been used in some non-stick coatings for decades because of their water and grease resistance,” Ghosh explains, “but they persist in the environment and can accumulate in the body.”
While many manufacturers have phased them out, “cheaper coatings or older cookware can still contain them.”
Switching to stainless steel, cast iron or certified ceramic avoids PFAS altogether and provides a long-lasting, durable alternative, she says.
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.
“Cheaper, low-quality plastics are more likely to degrade and release particles, making higher-quality replacements the smarter option.”
Most supermarkets now sell silicone alternatives.
Tap water
While the UK’s tap water is considered safe to drink, an undersink carbon-based water filter system, like the Water2 2.0 Pod (£129), offers an added layer of filtration against substances like lead, chlorine and microplastics. It will also probably make your water taste better.
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.
It takes an estimated 400 years for a standard plastic toothbrush to biodegrade and we are recommended to change them every three months. More sustainable options include toothbrushes made with biodegradable bamboo handles, while Gaia Guy’s natural bristle toothbrush (£17.99) is truly plastic-free and features boar bristles. If you prefer an electric toothbrush, the SURI (£63.75) aluminium toothbrush uses recyclable plant-based heads and bristles.
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.
Opting for 100 per cent organic cotton or linen bed sheets is a good first step, while further down the line, when you’re next upgrading mattresses, it’s worth thinking about natural and organic fibres like wool, bamboo or cotton.
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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