Once thought to be inert, all plastics degrade over time and through wear and tear break into smaller pieces called micro or nanoplastics. These in turn leach out the toxic plastic chemicals used to make them and enter both the environment and all living things.  Both the microplastics and their toxic chemicals are dangerous for human health. 

That is why Aminah Taariq-Sidibe, our Manager for End Plastics Initiatives, is at the UN’s Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, INC 5.2, in Geneva, speaking up for robust new legislation to manage our plastic crisis. EARTHDAY.ORG is calling for 60% cuts in global plastic production by 2040. The only way to tackle our plastic problem is by making less plastics. 

Where Have Microplastics Been Found?

Microplastics have been found in placentas, breast milk, lung tissue, the brain and gastrointestinal tissues, and a Dutch study even found microplastics in human blood.

I never would have imagined it was this high. I certainly don’t feel comfortable with this much plastic in my brain, and I don’t need to wait around 30 more years to find out what happens if the concentrations quadruple.

– Matthew Campen, PhD, Distinguished & Regents’ Professor, UNM College of Pharmacy

A comprehensive study published by the Minderoo Foundation determined that “…there is consistent and irrefutable evidence that plastic chemicals in every class examined harm human health across the entire human life cycle.” In fact, The Lancet estimates that they cause at least $1.5 trillion in health related damages each year.

For years we have been sold the lie that we shouldn’t worry about our epic plastic pollution problem because we could recycle our way out of it but here’s the twist: in 1974, an executive from the plastic maker DuPont admitted in a letter, uncovered decades later by the investigative team at DeSmog, that many commonly used plastic products were unrecyclable due to their complex chemical makeup. DuPont knew. Just like  ExxonMobil knew burning fossil fuels caused climate change. 

Now it is time for us to expose the truth. Here are 12 of the main sources of our involuntary plastic consumption, be it ingesting it, absorbing it or breathing it in,  and ways you can limit your plastic exposure: 

1) What’s in Your Water?

You can only survive 3 days without it. But our water has been infected with plastics. Every year, over 481 billion plastic water bottles are thrown away all over the world. Studies have found that 93% of bottled water contains detectable microplastic particles, and some have up to 240,000 particles per liter. 

Heat speeds up plastic degradation and causes plastic bottles to leach chemicals like Bisphenols and antimony into what you are drinking. And those giant 5-gallon office jugs contain microplastics too, especially when they’re reused for months and exposed to fluctuating temperatures.

Tap water generally has lower levels of microplastics, but one study found microplastics in 94% of U.S. tap water samples. Degraded plastic pipes, runoff from landfills and stormwater systems are all sources. 

Water filters can reduce exposure, but not all filters are created equal. Often the plastic pitchers in your fridge are made of polypropylene or styrene-based polymers, which can leach estrogenic chemicals into your water. When it comes to filtration itself, pore size matters. Only high-end systems like reverse osmosis (RO), which can block particles down to 0.0001 microns, are really effective at catching microplastics.

2) You Are What You Eat 

Microplastics sneak into our food too. Plastic trash makes its way into our oceans where it breaks down and is swallowed by filler feeders like mussels, oysters, and clams. A 2021 study found that European mussels contained an average of 1.6 microplastic particles per gram of tissue. Anything else that eats shellfish is then infected. And since we eat shellfish whole, digestive tract and all, all those plastics go directly into us. . 

But even land-based diets aren’t plastic free. 88% of all protein based foods contain microplastics. There’s growing evidence that red meat contains plastic particles although grass-fed, pasture-raised, and non-GMO meats may reduce some contaminants.

Interestingly, leafy vegetables tend to contain fewer microplastics than root vegetables like carrots or potatoes. Fruits and vegetables have been found to absorb microplastics through their roots from contaminated soil. 

Plastics also enter your food long before it hits your plate. Canned food is often lined with bisphenol A (BPA) or epoxy resin. Soda cans are often lined in the same way even though this resin has been flagged for releasing endocrine-disrupting chemicals linked to cancer, respiratory, reproduction, and skin irritations. 

Plastic containers can leach plastic chemicals into your food; especially if the food is hot, oily, or acidic. Plastic wrap and sandwich bags are made from soft plastics like polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) or low-density polyethylene (LDPE) which are suspected carcinogens. Styrofoam, made from polystyrene (#6 plastic), commonly used for takeout containers is a notorious source of styrene, which is a probable human carcinogen. 

So when you go out, we suggest you bring your own glass or stainless steel containers for left overs and pick plain brown paper bags over anything plastic to wrap your food.

Plastic doesn’t stop at human food. Your pets are eating it too. Pet food cans, like their human counterparts, are often lined with BPA. Plus, plastic feeding bowls break down over time, releasing even more of the stuff into Fido’s dinner. So consider serving them home style pet food in glass or stainless steel. There are lots of great resources on-line for this and the ASPA has advice on the nutrients your pet needs. 

3) Glitz, Glam, and Gutfuls of Plastic

You probably didn’t wake up this morning thinking, “Today, I’ll wear plastic.” But if you’re rocking anything made of polyester, nylon, acrylic, or spandex you absolutely are. These common fabrics are all forms of plastic, spun into thread, dyed into color, and sewn into your favorite T-shirt, gym leggings, or underwear. When your synthetic clothes are manufactured, worn, washed, or even just jiggled around in your closet, they shed microfibers into the environment and into you. 

A single load of laundry can release up to 700,000 microfibers, many of which breeze past wastewater filters and flow straight into rivers and are responsible for up to 35% of microplastic pollution in oceans. Globally, this adds up to 500,000 tons of microfibers slipping into our water systems every year. But this isn’t just a fish problem. They also ride the air like tiny plastic tumbleweeds, drifting into your home, your food, and your lungs. Research has found that 33% of indoor dust is made of microplastics from textiles. It’s estimated the average person swallows or inhales between 68,000 plastic particles a year, just from the air inside their own house. 

Vacuum often; this helps cut down on microfiber dust. Opt for clothing made from natural materials like organic cotton, hemp, linen, bamboo, or wool.  Ultimately, governments must step in to require filters on washing machines and push the fashion industry to be accountable.

4) Medical Equipment: Life Saving or Endangering?

From gloves, tubing, and IV bags to ventilators and catheters, plastic is everywhere in modern healthcare. Plastic makes up an estimated 30% of all healthcare waste globally. Each year, the medical industry throws out 15 million tonnes of single-use plastic –  that’s as much as 1,500 Eiffel Towers! 

Many medical devices, especially flexible ones like tubing and IV bags, are made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Studies have found that patients can show measurable levels of BPA and DEHP in their blood or urine, depending on how much tubing or plastic equipment they’re exposed to. 

Ask what materials are being used for your treatment. Some safer alternatives already exist, like DEHP-free blood bags, though they aren’t widely adopted yet. Hospitals and health systems should also push for a plastic free future in medicine.

5) Too Much Plastic in Your Toiletries  

Many toiletries today are packed with something called synthetic polymers, which is a fancy name for plastics.They’re added to make products feel smooth, last longer, or carry fragrance. And while they may make your skin feel soft or your hair smell like coconuts, they’re also being absorbed into your body.

Shampoo is often filled with ingredients like phthalates, polyethylene glycols (PEGs), acrylates. These compounds seep through your skin and into your bloodstream. Phthalates are linked to fertility problems and avoid products with microbeads – those ‘beads’ are just yet more plastics. 87% of toiletries contain some form of microplastics, whether solid, liquid, or soluble. They are detrimental to your health and can actually accelerate aging. 

Even nail polish is plastic and contains resin, a type of plastic that allows the polish to dry. And don’t get us started on glittery polishes, which almost always contain PET plastic. Every time your polish chips, you’re releasing microplastics. 

Choose plastic-free or solid alternatives, like shampoo bars, cream deodorants in tins, or truly clean beauty brands. 

6)  Plastic Toys: What Our Pets and Babies Chew On

What do babies and pets have in common? They crawl around on the ground and put everything in their mouths. The problem is that many of the toys we give to our children and pets are made from plastics that contain phthalates and BPA that leach out through chewing, sucking, or contact with their skin. 

Dogs especially love to gnaw, but the plastic they’re sinking their teeth into isn’t edible. The long-term concern is chemicals leach out of microplastics and into your pets’ gums or digestive tracts. And don’t think these products are monitored, because they largely aren’t. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t regulate pet toys and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) only intervenes if a product poses a danger to humans; not animals. Claims like “indestructable” are meaningless. A 2019 study found that every single dog and cat tested had detectable levels of phthalates in their urine. These plasticizers can contribute to reproductive problems, liver damage, kidney issues, and more in our pets. 

Baby toys are more regulated. But around 90% of all baby toys on the market are made with or contain plastic, PVC and BPA. PVC is made using vinyl chloride, a known human and animal carcinogen, and it can leach out when toys are chewed, which is especially concerning for teething infants. BPA, is used to make plastic more durable, and in humans can lead to long-term health risks. In 2017, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) took a step in the right direction by prohibiting children’s toys and child care articles from containing more than 0.1% of certain phthalates, restricting eight in total. 

But that’s not enough so protect your family by rejecting plastics and opting for toys made from natural, sustainable materials like organic cotton, natural rubber, bamboo, hemp, untreated wool, or wood. For pets, a knotted-up old cotton t-shirt can make a safe, chewable toy. Aside from reducing exposure to toxic chemicals, there’s another bonus to cutting back on plastic toys: kids who have fewer toys actually tend to play more creatively and with better focus. 

7) Hidden Household Plastics

Your kitchen is a plastic particle factory. Every time you chop veggies on a plastic cutting board, you’re shaving off microplastic slivers, over 1,000 particles of polypropylene and polyethylene per cutting session, which then cling to your food. Ditto for plastic cooking utensils: when nylon or polypropylene spatulas come into contact with heat (like a hot pan), they start breaking down, releasing microplastics and chemical additives like flame retardants into your food. Plastic cooking utensils contribute thousands of plastics to your diet per year!  And  your non-stick cookware is often coated with chemicals like PTFE, that can release toxic particles when heated. Instead, opt for stainless steel, cast iron, or ceramic cookware..

Most bedding these days are made with synthetic fibers like polyester or memory foam that release microplastics into the air and onto your skin. And  99% of carpets in the U.S. are made from plastic-based materials like nylon, polyester, and polypropylene. These release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene and toluene that can cause headaches, eye irritation, and even organ damage. All of these plastic fibers create dust which is why regular vacuuming is important.

8) Plastic Gardens

Plastic plant pots and seedling trays over time, under sunlight and water, start to break down and flake, releasing microplastics into the soil. The solution? Terracotta, ceramic, or coir pots are fantastic alternatives. They’re natural, long-lasting, and add a charm to your garden. 

Plastic trowel and spades are likely to crack or snap eventually, leaving behind little bits of plastic in your beds. Wood and metal tools, on the other hand, are built to last. 

Bagged fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides often come packaged in plastic and some even contain microplastics themselves. These can leave behind chemical residues and contribute to long-term soil contamination. Composting, on the other hand, cuts down on waste, and skips the plastic packaging altogether. 

And finally, if you’re picking up seeds for your garden, you might be surprised how many seed packets are sealed in plastic. An easy fix? Find a local seed swap or gardening club. Not only will you avoid the plastic, but you’ll also walk away with a few new friends and gardening tips.

9) Cars – Just Plastic on Wheels 

Tires are arguably the most underestimated plastic polluters. Every time a car drives down the road, its tires shed microscopic particles that swirl into the air or wash into waterways. Tire wear alone is responsible for an astonishing 28% of all microplastics entering the environment globally. That’s more than any other single source! 

These particles are small enough to drift through the air for weeks or be swept into storm drains where they eventually pollute rivers, lakes, and oceans. One chemical in particular, 6PPD which is added to tires to slow degradation, reacts with ozone in the air and transforms into the incredibly toxic 6PPD-quinone (6PPD-Q). This compound is lethal to salmon, killing off entire populations in one storm. 

Then there’s the materials that make up your car’s seats, doors, bumpers, wires, and panels are almost all plastic-based.All of these plastics can shed microplastics through wear and tear—sunlight, heat, friction, and time cause small pieces to break off and release into the air or get carried away in rain runoff. Even road markings and paints contain thermoplastics that chip away and add to the microplastic load in our environment.

What can you do? Driving less is the most effective way to reduce tire wear and microplastic release: walking, biking, or taking public transport when possible does more than save gas. If your car is a necessity, avoid hard braking and quick acceleration, which accelerate tire breakdown. 

10) Plastic In Feminine Products 

Let’s talk about something that deserves way more attention than it gets: what’s really in our period products.  Recent studies have uncovered something pretty unsettling: many feminine hygiene products contain harmful plastic chemicals, including a group called PFAS; short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. These are the notorious “forever chemicals” because once they’re in your body and the environment, they stick around for a long time.

Testing revealed that 48% of pads, 22% of tampons, and a whopping 65% of period underwear contained PFAS. These chemicals have been linked to hormonal disruptions, fertility issues, immune system suppression, and even certain cancers. 

Look for brands that are free of synthetic fragrances, dyes, and chlorine bleaching. Go for organic cotton tampons and pads when possible, or explore certified organic period underwear. 

11) Cleaning Products That Pollute

The laundry room is a hotspot for plastic pollution. Those colorful laundry pods you toss in so casually? They’re wrapped in something called PVA, or polyvinyl alcohol, a plastic-like film that dissolves in water but doesn’t fully biodegrade. In 2021 alone, over 34 million pounds of this stuff made its way into the environment in the U.S., and most wastewater treatment plants aren’t equipped to break it down. That means about 3/4 of the PVA particles end up floating through rivers, soaking into soil, and swirling around in the oceans.

And those trendy little scent beads that keep your laundry smelling like a summer breeze? They’re basically tiny plastic capsules made from synthetic polymers that slowly release fragrance, and chemicals, into the environment and our bodies. 

Dishwasher pods have the same PVA problem. Even most plastic sponges and scrubbers shed microplastic fibers as they break down with use. But it gets worse; a full dishwasher cycle with typical plastic items (think storage containers, plastic plates, cups) can release up to 920,000 microplastic and nanoplastic particles into the wastewater in just one wash. 

Choose powder or liquid detergents in cardboard packaging, or plastic-free detergent. Say goodbye to scent beads and hello to natural options like a few drops of essential oil. In the kitchen, ditch the plastic scrubbers and go for biodegradable sponges, natural loofahs, or coconut fiber brushes. 

12) Tiny Humans, Big Plastic Problem

Infants are exposed to 10 times more microplastics than adults, mostly from crawling, mouthing objects, and contact with house dust. The health impacts are alarming. Exposure to plastics and their additives has been linked to  ADHD, autism, early onset puberty, and some cancers.

Plastic baby bottles are light-weight and convenient; no wonder they make up more than 80% of the baby bottle market around the world. These bottles can release millions of microplastic particles daily, especially when formula is heated or shaken inside them. 

The waterproof outer shell of diapers, designed to keep messes in, are usually made from petroleum-based plastic or treated with plastic-based chemicals. Wet wipes, often marketed as flushable, are made with polyester or polypropylene;  which clog sewers, contributing to ‘fatbergs’ and releasing microplastics into aquatic ecosystems. Instead, use natural fibers to keep their tooshies safe. 

Playgrounds are often hidden hotspots of plastic pollution. Studies have shown that their surfaces can shed up to 1.2 million crumb rubber particles into the surrounding area, releasing not only microplastics but also toxic chemicals. Children playing on these surfaces may inadvertently ingest 0.07–0.08 grams of rubber crumb per day. 

Once you start spotting the ways plastic shows up in your life, it’s kind of impossible to unsee it. The good news? Every small switch you make adds up.

As UN Global Plastic Treaty Negotiations, INC-5.2 is underway, now more than ever we need to emphasize how plastics hurt us, and that we want them out of our lives. You can start by signing our Global Plastics Treaty Petition and make your voice heard. Please sign and demand meaningful action on plastic production. Let’s end the plastic crisis.

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Eating a balanced diet can be difficult; all of us try our best to get in the right levels of proteins, veggies, and carbs. But there’s one thing we don’t account for in our diet and which we often have no idea we are eating – plastics. 

Yep you heard that right – we are all pretty much eating plastics too. In the form of microplastics, the size of grain of rice, or even smaller, nano-plastics, that are invisible to the naked eye. 

Microplastics, nano plastics and the toxic chemicals that leach out of them, like Bisphenols and phthalates,  are associated with a plethora of human health issues, from cancers to Alzheimers to  heart attacks to infertility and more. So it doesn’t matter how much you portion your food or balance your plate, you won’t be healthy until you limit your exposure to plastics. 

Here are 6 simple ways to avoid plastics in the kitchen, so that microplastics don’t become your unwanted and harmful 6th food group. 

1. Skip Single-Use Plastic Bottles

Single-use plastic bottles not only contribute to massive environmental pollution but also pose a risk to human health. A recent study found that a single bottle of water can contain 240,000 nano plastics. These tiny particles can enter your body when you drink from plastic bottles, especially single-use ones. Instead, opt for reusable glass or metal bottles. 

2. Avoid Plastic Containers in the Microwave

Even if plastic containers are labeled “microwave-safe,” the chemicals in the plastic can leach directly into your food when heated. These chemicals, like BPA, are linked to health problems such as hormonal disruption. It’s worth the few seconds to transfer your food into glass or ceramic containers for microwave use. Or, even better, be mindful of storing food in plastic containers in the first place. Additionally, the plastic chemicals can leach into the food inside especially if it is fatty or oily food, as plastics are fat soluble. 

3. Trade Plastic Wrap for Beeswax Wraps 

Beeswax wraps are an excellent, eco-friendly alternative to plastic wrap. Made from cotton and beeswax, these wraps are naturally biodegradable and compostable. They cling to food and containers just like plastic wrap, but without leeching the harmful chemicals into your food. Plus, they’re reusable and help preserve food better than plastic, which can trap moisture and cause food to spoil more quickly. While plastic wrap can really only be used once before becoming a tangled mess, beeswax can be washed and used again and again – so it’s also financially conscious!

4. Ditch the Plastic Cutting Board

Cutting on plastic boards isn’t just about slicing through your veggies—it’s also breaking down the board into tiny plastic particles. You know all those lines and dents and scuffed areas on your chopping boards – those are shedding microplastics all the time!

A May 2023 study found that materials like polypropylene and polyethylene, commonly used in plastic boards, can break down into tiny plastic particles when cut with knives. Since microplastics can enter the food chain, it’s wise to avoid plastic cutting boards. Opt for alternatives like bamboo, wood, or glass, which are less likely to shed harmful particles.

5. Non-Stick is a No-No

Non-stick cookware is often coated with chemicals like PTFE, which can release toxic fumes and particles when heated. These chemicals can leach into your food and pose serious health risks over time. Instead, opt for stainless steel, cast iron, or ceramic cookware.

6. Swap that Conventional Sponge for Au-naturel 

Most conventional sponges are made from synthetic plastic fibers that don’t biodegrade and end up in landfills. In fact, if every household in the U.S. threw out just two plastic sponges a year, that’s over 250 million sponges in landfills. 

Not to mention, plastic sponges shed tiny bits of plastic leaving your plates, pots and pans plastic coated rather than clean. A better option is to switch to plant-based sponges made from bamboo, luffa, or wood pulp. 

They work just as well as plastic sponges, and when they’re worn out, you can compost them instead of sending them to the trash!

7. Bring Your Own Reusable Bags

The average American family uses about 1,500 plastic bags every year, for only about 12 minutes before being thrown out, and then take hundreds of years to decompose and often end up harming wildlife. By switching to reusable cloth bags, you can drastically reduce your plastic usage and your food’s exposure to plastic chemicals. Make sure they’re machine washable for easy cleaning. Not to mention it can be a fashion statement. 

By making these small changes, you can cut down on plastic in your daily life and reduce the health risks it poses. If you’re passionate about making a bigger impact to reduce plastic pollution and consumption, consider signing EARTHDAY.ORG’s petition for a Global Plastics Treaty to help push for change on a global scale!

This article is available for republishing on your website, newsletter, magazine, newspaper, or blog. The accompanying imagery is also cleared for use. Please ensure that the author’s name and their affiliation with EARTHDAY.ORG are credited. Kindly inform us if you republish so we can acknowledge, tag, or repost your content. You may notify us via email at davies@earthday.org or fielder@earthday.org.

The post 6 Tips to Avoid Eating Plastic in Your Own Kitchen appeared first on Earth Day.

The recent Executive Order promoting plastic straws while undoing the former administration’s plan to phase them out of federal buildings by 2027 may seem insignificant in the face of global challenges like peace in the Middle East or the war in Ukraine. But the plastic issue is far from trivial.

Why? Well because plastic pollution isn’t just about straws up turtles’ noses. It is about so much more.  It’s about the trillions of microplastics that have now contaminated our water, our food chain, the air, soil, oceans  and even our own bodies. Plastic particles have been found in human brains, lungs, even placentas. 

There is growing research that links these microparticles and the toxic chemicals that leach from them, like BPAs and phthalates,  with cancer, heart attacks and strokes and dementia. Perhaps most worrying of all studies are even finding associations with miscarriage, which for a self-declared Pro-Life President should be a serious  cause for concern in its own right. Our own report, Babies Vs. Plastics, highlighted the elevated risk plastics pose to the health of infants.

The truth is that there is more plastic now than there has ever been, and production is increasing globally. In 2021, over 390 million tons of plastic were produced with a market value of $593 billion US dollars.  50% of all this plastic, like plastic straws, is single-use and will be used for less than a few minutes and tossed away as trash. 

Even more shocking is the massive financial drain plastic waste imposes on U.S. taxpayers every year. In 2019 alone, the U.S. economy lost at least $7.2 billion due to landfilled plastic waste, according to the Department of Energy. Let’s hope Elon Musk’s DOGE tackles that utter waste of money and backs our call to cap plastic production and make polluters pay.

The best-case scenario for plastic trash, and it’s not a good one, is it ends up in a landfill and degrades into million more microplastic particles that poison our soil, air and over time gradually leach into the water table, and impact not just wildlife but all of us too. Especially poorer communities that often live near landfill sites.

The worst-case scenario is that all this single use plastic ends up desecrating our forests, fields, rivers, oceans and communities. I should know because as someone whose life is dedicated to fighting plastic pollution as the Coordinator of the Great Global Cleanup, for EARTHDAY.ORG the organization behind Earth Day itself, I’m the unashamed king of trash.

I spend my life leading an army of volunteers, picking it up wherever we can. It’s dirty, exhausting, and sometimes dangerous, and for a long time, I believed it was the most effective way to fight plastic pollution.  I was wrong.

Over the past three years, I’ve rallied communities worldwide to pick up plastic trash. I’ve raked through Armenia’s Yerevanyan lake to fish for plastic Jermuk bottles; I tripped into a river full of fecal matter in Gainesville just to retrieve a single Styrofoam cup and I’ve cleaned beaches up and down the East Coast. Once with the cast of the Bravo series Southern Charm and the Hollywood actress Amanda Seyfried helping me. 

After years in this work, you start to notice what has now become blindingly obvious — the same beaches, rivers, lakes and the same parks, forests, and communities are all being polluted repeatedly with plastic waste. We are bailing out a tsunami of plastic, but the tide keeps washing more over us.

This is why in 2024 EARTHDAY.ORG launched, Planet vs. Plastics, to expose the human health impacts of plastic pollution because  it is clear that picking up the trash isn’t the only problem – it’s what the trash is made of – a toxic mix of oil and chemicals like PFAS, BPA, and phthalates. 

Predictably, the US has failed to deliver in managing our plastic pollution and human health crisis. Having led the world into believing that we would sign the United Nations Global Plastic Treaty in Busan in November 2024, the new heads at the US State Department have now quietly walked back on that promise. Not only will we NOT be joining the rest of the world in trying to manage our epic global plastic waste problem, but we also reneged on our position to support measures to cap plastic production globally. 

We must commit to reducing plastic production by 60% by 2040 to protect our health, the environment, and future generations. Returning to plastic straws is not just a nostalgic mistake—it’s a dangerous step back for the well-being of our planet and its people. Plastic sucks.

This article is available for republishing on your website, newsletter, magazine, newspaper, or blog. The accompanying imagery is also cleared for use. Please ensure that the author’s name and their affiliation with EARTHDAY.ORG are credited. Kindly inform us if you republish so we can acknowledge, tag, or repost your content. You may notify us via email at davies@earthday.org or fielder@earthday.org.

The post Why Back to Plastic is the Last Straw appeared first on Earth Day.

Valentine’s Day is marked every February 14th, as the annual day set aside to celebrate romantic love and comes around every year adorned with hearts, flowers, and enough plastic to make a sea turtle cry. From glossy heart-shaped chocolate boxes to roses swaddled in cellophane, we’ve allowed synthetic polymers to infiltrate our most loved up day. 

Unfortunately, there’s nothing lovely about plastics. In fact there is mounting evidence that suggests plastics aren’t just a trash problem, which is bad for the environment and aforementioned sea turtles, but for human health too. Plastics are associated with a whole range of health issues that impact our hearts, our hormones, and even our fertility.

If love is in the air, so too are microplastics. The problem is we are breathing them in. And ingesting them, too. Here’s what every romantic out there should know about plastics before they buy their partner a Valentine’s gift this year.

Plastic Hearts

Recent studies have uncovered that microplastics are not just polluting our oceans but also our bodies. Scientists have detected microplastic particles in our blood and our lung tissue but our cardiovascular system is particularly vulnerable. 

One recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that microplastics in the bloodstream can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Emerging research also suggests they may exacerbate other chronic conditions such as immune system dysfunction, metabolic disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases, raising concerns about their long-term effects on human health.

A Hormonal Wrecking Ball

Romance relies heavily on the power of hormones, those invisible chemical matchmakers that course around our bodies and amongst other things, fuel attraction, passion, and connection. But some common plastic chemicals  have a knack for disrupting this delicate process known as the endocrine system. 

Bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, both plastic chemicals commonly found in plastic food containers, packaging, and cosmetics, are known endocrine disruptors. They mimic or interfere with the body’s natural hormones, particularly estrogen and testosterone. The result? Mood swings, reduced libido, and fertility challenges that can strain even the strongest relationships.

For men, phthalates have been linked to lower sperm counts and poor sperm quality. For women, BPA exposure has been associated with disrupted ovulation and pregnancy complications. These chemicals threaten reproductive health, and their results, for example, the ability to get pregnant, can potentially undermine human relationships too.

So, if you are taking home flowers this Valentine wrap them in brown paper, not plastic wrapping. Or give a living plant in a ceramic pot.

From the Bedroom to the Kitchen

Most of us know that the way to true love is really controlled through the stomach. But the problem is that increasingly our food is contaminated with plastics too – it’s omnipresent. It’s in the packaging that wraps all our food, the containers that store our leftovers, the wrappers that preserve our chocolates. It even coats the receipts we handle while purchasing Valentine’s gifts.

Just remember, too, that often the Valentine’s candy on the shelves contains dyes that might not be good for us either. Skittles contain Yellow 5, Yellow 6, and Red 40. These dyes are linked to hyperactivity in children, migraines, and hives. Yellow 5 and Yellow 6, also known as tartrazine, are restricted in parts of Europe and in the UK and EU foods that use them require a warning label on them. These dyes are banned in Austria and Norway; in fact, Skittles are banned across the EU. In 2022, the EU also banned titanium dioxide as a food additive. Sour Patch Kids, Starburst, Swedish Fish, and Trolli gummies all contain this ingredient, which is linked to intestinal inflammation, immune system damage, and cancer. Not something you want to trigger in your partner on date night.

If you are cooking a home cooked meal for your loved one this year – remember  microplastics are even shed from the plastic utensils we use in the kitchen, plastic chopping boards and plastic materials even line the non-stick pan we might be frying our favorite foods in. 

So audit your kitchenware and remove the plastics this Valentine, it might be the most romantic thing you can do for your loved one’s long term health!

And be mindful of taking short-cuts on cooking, too as there are ingredients in there you might want to avoid too! Stove Top stuffing contains the flavor enhancers and preservatives BHA and BHT, which are subject to restrictions in Europe and Japan. BHA has been used in American foods since 1947, but has been listed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as “reasonably anticipated” to be a carcinogen. Other studies have claimed these additives are harmful to the circulatory system. 

The fluffy, buttery Pillsbury biscuits enjoyed by many Americans are outright banned in several European countries like Austria, Norway, and Denmark. Why? Because the biscuits contain trans-fats in the form of hydrogenated soybean and cottonseed oils. In 2015, the FDA deemed that these oils, which are the main source of trans-fats in manufactured food, are not regarded as safe and required the industry to phase them out of food by 2020. But foods can still be sold with half a gram of trans-fat or less per serving. Trans-fats are linked to high cholesterol levels and heart disease. 

The cumulative effect of all of these encounters is a real cause for concern. So, this Valentine’s Day, reimagine how you express your love – not just for your partner, but for your planet and yourself. Here are a few simple ways to celebrate without synthetics ruining the day. 

Choose plastic-free gifts – opt for living plants in non-plastic pots or locally made chocolates without plastic packaging. Rethink your table setting – use real glassware and stainless steel instead of plastic cups and cutlery. It’s much more romantic, anyway. Ditch single-use items completely and consider reusable or biodegradable alternatives like candles or cards. If you want to spread the love further, consider supporting EARTHDAY.ORG – you can join the movement for free, or you can even make a donation in your loved one’s name:

You can also visit EARTHDAY.ORG’s End Plastic Initiatives website for free facts sheets and information and to learn more about plastics, their impacts on our health, and how you can take action to minimize it. 

The journey to a plastic-free life may not happen overnight, but every small, mindful change we make adds up to something truly transformative. It’s not just about swapping one product for another — it’s about rethinking how we interact with the world around us. In a season dedicated to love, what could be more romantic than protecting the health of our planet and future generations? 

True love isn’t just in what we give but in what we protect — and there’s no greater gift we can offer than a cleaner, healthier world for those who come after us. Let’s make this year’s Valentine’s Day a promise: one small, intentional change at a time; we can create a future filled with love, health, and way less plastic!

This article is available for republishing on your website, newsletter, magazine, newspaper, or blog. The accompanying imagery is also cleared for use. Please ensure that the author’s name and their affiliation with EARTHDAY.ORG are credited. Kindly inform us if you republish so we can acknowledge, tag, or repost your content. You may notify us via email at davies@earthday.org or fielder@earthday.org.

The post Eat, Pray, Love: How to Keep Chemicals Out of Valentines appeared first on Earth Day.

Plastics are all around — our clothes and carpets are made of plastic textiles like nylon and polyester, our technology is stuffed with plastics, our food is wrapped in it and our toiletries are made of the same chemicals used in plastic bottles. 

Of the more than 400 million tons of plastic that are produced each year, the vast majority is tossed away after just one use. This is why 20 million tons of plastics end up in the environment  every single year, causing severe ecosystem degradation and killing wildlife.

But last year, EARTHDAY.ORG helped to elevate another serious issue with plastics that had long been hiding behind plastic pollution headlines: their impact on human health. It turns out that plastic is NOT inert as plastic manufacturers had once assured us, but in fact degrades slowly over thousands of years, shedding microplastic particles and leaching toxic chemicals in the process. The plastics you can see are actually just the tip of the plastic crisis iceberg. 

All around us there is plastic that is invisible to the naked eye. It is in the air, in our water, in our soil, our food, house-dust and now it is inside all of us too. This is why the EARTHDAY.ORG theme for 2024 is Planet vs. Plastics — to drive awareness about the human health issues of our involuntary plastic consumption and hopefully enact change. 

On November 23, 2023, EARTHDAY.ORG published a meta-analysis report titled Babies vs. Plastics that outlines the history of plastic and how it became so prevalent in our society so quickly. The focus of the report is how plastic exposure impacts human health, with particular regard to babies.

Why babies? As it turns out, young children have a much higher risk of ingesting and inhaling microplastics due to their tendency to crawl on the ground, coming into contact with household dust laden with plastic particulates. Their development phase of putting everything into their mouths, including many products designed for babies that are specifically made of plastics — like bottles and teethers — also increases their chance of plastic exposure. In fact, the rate of ingestion and inhalation of microplastics of babies is ten times more than that of adults. 

The Babies vs. Plastics report highlighted how researchers have found microplastics in many different human organs, including the heart, lungs, urinary and gastrointestinal systems, as well as in human breast milk, placentas, and meconium, an infant’s first stool. 

There is evidence that early exposure to elevated concentrations of microplastics may be linked to conditions such as ADHD, autism, early onset puberty, and some cancers. And, just a year after the publication of EARTHDAY.ORG’s first plastic report, we have more evidence and an even clearer image of how plastics affect our bodies. 

A 2020 study in the journal Environmental Science and Technology, cited in the Babies report, asserted that humans could be ingesting up to 52,000 microplastic particles per year. A more  recent study, published in January 2024 – a few months after Babies Vs. Plastics was released, found between 10 and 100 times more plastic particles in bottled water than previous studies measured. In fact, they determined that a one liter of bottled water included, on average, about 240,000 microscopic pieces of plastic.  

Studies from 2023 on mice and fish, such as the one featured in the Babies report, found that microplastics that enter the bloodstream can also penetrate the “blood-brain barrier,” entering the brain itself and leading to visible behavior changes and cognitive decline. The exact effects of microplastics on the human brain is an area of ongoing research.   

If that was not alarming enough, in May 2024 — just 6 months after EARTHDAY.ORG’s Babies report — human brain samples were found to contain more shards of plastic than samples collected eight years prior, according to an online preprint (a study not yet peer-reviewed and published in a journal).

Another groundbreaking new study published in March 2024 made the discovery that patients with microplastic buildup in their carotid artery plaque were twice as likely to suffer from a heart attack or stroke than patients without. The researchers’ results provided some of the first direct evidence of the link between plastic and human health.  

In August 2024, the Minderoo Foundation released a pioneering study which provided a damning indictment of the impact of plastics on human health. Titled, an Umbrella Review: Impact of Plastic-Associated Chemical Exposure on Human Health, the report collated the best evidence to date of peer reviewed plastic research as it relates to human health, as well as outlined recommendations for policymakers and regulators. 

It is clear that the evidence is mounting regarding the devastating impact of plastics on human health — at all stages of the human life cycle — and the Babies report is already in need of updating. 

So How Can You Cut Your Plastic Intake?

On an individual level, there are several ways to protect yourself and your loved ones from exposure to microplastics and toxic chemicals. One of the more obvious steps you can take is simply to limit access to  plastic objects — children’s toys in particular. Not only is it safer for children to be surrounded by less plastic, it has been shown that kids who have fewer toys are better able to focus and play creatively anyway!

You can also reduce your exposure to plastic particles by sweeping or vacuuming your home as much as possible, as dust is full of plastic fibers. In addition, choose your cosmetics carefully and limit your use, as many contain plastic chemicals like phthalates. Finally, when purchasing clothing, try to avoid polyester, a textile used widely in fast fashion. Polyester is made of plastic and sheds microplastic fibers that you could end up inhaling or, if you use a washing machine, will rinse into the water supply and potentially be ingested by marine life.

The contamination of our water supply is an important issue, as it is believed that diet is the main source of exposure to micro- and nanoplastics.  Microplastics can build up in the bodies of many different organisms, a process known as “bioaccumulation,” through ingestion, inhalation, and even skin absorption. Microplastics in the air, soil and water are ingested by plants, fish, shellfish and other small animals, and are even sometimes inadvertently fed to livestock through polyethylene roughage. All of this plastic eventually works its way up the food chain and into our own bodies. 

So, being cognitive of what you eat is critical. Avoid eating too much red meat, as there is growing evidence that it contains plastic particles, or shellfish, which consume microplastics which then remain in their digestive tracts. Fish too can carry high levels of microplastics, in addition to other toxic substances like mercury. It is important, therefore, to buy responsibly, opting for sustainably and ethically sourced products. The Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch has published a guide to sustainable seafood that is a great place for conscious consumers to start. 

Some studies have found that leafy vegetables contain less microplastics than root vegetables, so opt to include them in your recipes. Also, avoid microwaving your food in plastic containers because the heat releases plastic chemicals, like BPA, directly into your food. Finally, if possible avoid drinking from plastic bottles!

The single most important thing that all of us can do to tackle the plastic health crisis is to call for our representatives and legislators to curb global plastic production. If you too believe in a safe, plastic-free future and want to get involved, join EARTHDAY.ORG’s End Plastics campaign and consider donating so we can continue speaking out against plastics. 

You can read the Babies Vs. Plastics here and our follow-up report, Pets Vs. Plastics. We will soon be releasing our third report, People Vs. Plastics on how the plastic industry uses PR and clever delay tactics to protect their profits and avoid accountability. But most easily of all, you can sign our Global Plastics Treaty Petition and make your voice heard before the final stages of the UN Global Plastic Treaty Negotiations, INC-5, that are taking place in Busan, South Korea, in early December. Please sign and demand meaningful action on plastic production. Let’s end the plastic crisis.

The post Babies vs. Plastic: A Year On, What’s Changed? appeared first on Earth Day.

Plastic nurdles, small plastic pellets about the size of a lentil, are often overlooked in the plastic pollution conversation, yet they are alarmingly pervasive and hugely problematic. They serve as the raw material for virtually all plastic products, and are melted down to make plastics packaging to bottles to household items and beyond. Think of them as the go to ingredient for nearly all plastic manufacturing.  

Despite their harmless appearance these tiny pellets pose a significant threat to both the environment and human health because every year, almost 450,000 metric tonnes of nurdles are estimated to poison the environment through accidental releases.. Understanding the dangers of these plastic nurdles is essential for addressing the broader plastic pollution crisis that plagues our planet.

How Plastic Nurdles End Up In Our Oceans and Rivers

An investigation by the media outlet Vox in 2022 discovered that nurdles “often escape from the plastic production process in mundane ways, slipping into drains at factories or spilling out of cargo containers while being transported by trains and ships.”  Sometimes too they are also deliberately dumped. 

When they get into the environment, either accidentally during production, manufacturing, transportation, via handling or intentionally as waste, they are easily carried by rivers and streams into our oceans.  These pellets are by now ubiquitous in the marine environment, often found in large quantities on beaches and in oceans worldwide.

Notable Plastic Nurdle Spills

Notable plastic nurdle spills have caused widespread pollution in various parts of the world. In 2021, the container ship MV X-Press Pearl caught fire and sank off the coast of Colombo, Sri Lanka, releasing around 1,680 tons of plastic nurdles into the ocean.  In 2020, a barge carrying nurdles capsized in the Mississippi River, USA, leading to an estimated 750 million nurdles being released into the water. In 2017, a storm in Durban Harbour, South Africa, caused a shipping container carrying approximately 2.25 billion nurdles to be lost in the harbor. Additionally, in 2012, Typhoon Vicente in Hong Kong resulted in the release of containers filled with around 1,008 tons of nurdles into the sea. These incidents highlight how quickly industrial accidents can cause severe environmental damage. 

How Do Nurdles Hurt Wildlife?

The environmental hazards posed by plastic nurdles are vast and varied: Marine animals, such as fish, seabirds, and turtles, often mistake nurdles for food. Ingesting these plastic pellets can lead to physical harm, including blockages in the digestive system, malnutrition, and even death. 

On beaches, large quantities of nurdles can smother small organisms like hatching turtles and plants like seagrass growing in the sand. In the ocean, nurdles can interfere with coral reefs and other critical marine habitats, further exacerbating the decline of these vital ecosystems. 

Nurdles are not just physical pollutants; they are made from fossil fuels and contain harmful chemicals such as phthalates, Bisphenol A (BPA), flame retardants, toxic metals and PFAS that leach out of them into their surroundings as well as wildlife directly. 

The chemicals absorbed and added to nurdles, such as bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, forever chemicals (PFAS), DDT, PCBs, and mercury, are known endocrine disruptors. Continuous exposure to these chemicals, even at low levels, can have cumulative adverse effects on health. These substances can interfere with the body’s natural systems, leading to a range of health problems, including neurodevelopment and neurological disorders, reduced fertility, inflammation, obesity, cancer, and increased susceptibility to certain diseases.

Human Health Risks Associated with Plastic Nurdles

When marine animals ingest nurdles or the toxic chemicals that leach from them, these toxins can accumulate in their bodies and poison them. Moreover, these plastic poisons bioaccumulate in fish and other wildlife, entering the food chain and posing risks to predators, including humans. One of the primary pathways through which nurdles affect human health is through the consumption of contaminated seafood, posing a risk to humans who consume this seafood.

Nurdles also act as chemical sponges, absorbing toxic substances from their surroundings. These include persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as pesticides, industrial chemicals and heavy metals and even bacteria and viruses. This turns the nurdles into vectors for transporting dangerous chemicals and pathogens over and above the toxic cocktail used to create them in the first place. 

Nurdles contribute to the broader issue of microplastic pollution. Over time, these pellets can break down into smaller particles, further contaminating the environment. Microplastics can then enter the human body through various routes, including inhalation and ingestion of contaminated food and water. 

Nurdle Superheroes

One notable win against nurdle pollution was led by former shrimp fisherwoman turned nurdle activist, Diane Wilson. She took on Formosa Plastics after it repeatedly dumped plastic nurdles in Lavaca Bay, Matagorda Bay, and Cox’s Creek in the Gulf of Texas.  In 2019, after decades of fighting back, Wilson won a landmark $50 million settlement from Formosa for its persistent  plastic nurdle pollution, a feat that would win Wilson the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize in 2023. 

Recently, Formosa Plastics has attempted a comeback in that area, and as of this writing a public meeting is slated for September 24 in Edna, Texas. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss further expansion of a Formosa Plastics plant and the dangers it presents to human health and the environment. 

Addressing the Plastic Nurdle Crisis

Given the severe environmental degradation, biodiversity loss and human health risks posed by plastic nurdles, it is crucial to implement measures to mitigate their impact. Several strategies can be employed to address this issue. 

Governments and regulatory bodies need to enforce stricter regulations on the production, transportation, and disposal of plastic nurdles. This includes mandating best practices for spill prevention and response, as well as imposing penalties for non-compliance. Enhanced monitoring and enforcement can help reduce the likelihood of nurdles entering the environment. The Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act is one bill that aims to prevent plastic pellets and other pre-production plastic from polluting waterways.

Raising public awareness about the dangers of plastic nurdles is essential for fostering a culture of environmental stewardship. Educational campaigns can inform the public about the impact of nurdles on the environment and human health, encouraging individuals to advocate for stronger regulations and support sustainable practices like plastic reduction and cleanup efforts. 

Plastic nurdles may be small, but they are a key component in the plastic pollution crisis, addressing the dangers of nurdles requires a multifaceted approach involving stricter regulations, corporate responsibility, public awareness, and ongoing research. By taking concerted action, we can mitigate the risks posed by plastic nurdles and work towards a cleaner, healthier planet for future generations.

If you’re in the U.S., send a letter to your Congresspeople telling them to Support the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act.

The post Small Pellets, Big Problems appeared first on Earth Day.

Plastics are all over the planet. Plastics are in our bodies, our food, our air, and our soil, all of this we are getting more familiar with. But plastics are also in the human penis and that takes some getting used to – it is disgusting, disheartening, and an all around bummer, but true. What is more disturbing however is how it got there in the first place and what impact it is having on us. 

A new study from the International Journal of Impotence Research, recently reported that it had detected microplastics in all of the test subject’s penises. This is leading to many questioning just what is being put into our bodies and what effect it is having on us. Plastics and the additive chemicals used in their production have been linked to an increase of infertility amongst men and are potentially linked to impotence as well. 

This should be alarming to everyone with a penis. If any other industry was actively causing erectile dysfunction and infertility as blatantly as the plastics industry, it wouldn’t be tolerated. So why do we continue to give plastics a pass? Many of the additives that leach out of plastics include chemicals called phthalates or plasticizers, which make plastics more flexible. Or chemical compounds like BPA (Bisphenol A), which make plastics more durable. BPA is already classified as an Endocrine Disrupting Chemical (EDC) which means it comes with a whole host of health related issues all of its own. 

Research suggests the health implications presented by microplastics and their additive chemicals extend to children even before birth. There’s evidence microplastics can interrupt maternal-fetal communication and potentially damage DNA. Some studies report finding links between microplastics and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Reports have linked microplastics to autism and other endocrine disruption issues which can (amongst other things) manifest as early onset puberty. As well as association with some cancers, including in the prostate gland of fetuses.

So, imagine a scenario where a well-known razor company suddenly announces, “Sorry folks, but as it turns out what you have been shaving with has been depositing tiny bits of metal into your genitals and making you infertile.” Public reaction would be one of pure outrage and panic. No one would trust the brand, everyone would stop shaving and people would demand answers and accountability immediately.

Now, let’s consider plastic. Plastic is one of the most, if not the most ubiquitous man-made material, on Earth. We have it wrapping our food, in our toiletries, our carpets, furniture, clothes, cars, toys, it’s in our medical devices, and a large component of our modern electronics. Despite its startling widespread use, scrutiny and monitoring of plastic is minimal. Unlike the hypothetical razor blades that would incite immediate and widespread concern, with a worldwide ban in days, plastic has discreetly integrated itself into nearly every aspect of our lives with zero accountability.

Scientists now have a database of the known chemicals that are utilized in the production of plastics. There are 16,000 plastic chemicals and at least 4,200 are extremely toxic to humans, and only 980 of those have been regulated across the globe. 

Up until recently all health implications have been largely ignored, maybe this new ‘penis problem’ will wake everyone up to the reality that plastics are an environmental and human health problem!

The post Men vs. Plastics appeared first on Earth Day.

Evidence is mounting on the adverse effects of microplastics. Here’s a snapshot of some of the most compelling research from the last 12 months revealing the widespread presence of microplastics and their toxic chemicals, their discovery locations, and their consequences for human well-being.

1. It’s In Our Water

In January of this year,  new research discovered that a 1 liter plastic water bottle could contain over 240,000 nanoplastics. This number is 100 times higher than the results from previous studies. Dr. Wei Min and Dr. Beizhan Yan, leading researchers from Columbia University, took six 1-liter bottles of water from three unnamed US supermarkets for testing. Using their own technology, known as raman scattering microscopy, the team used lasers to pick up on plastic particles in the water bottles. Out of the microplastics detected, 10% were identified to be PET plastics, the most commonly found plastic and the same  type of plastic used to make the single use water bottles that were tested in the study. Much of the microscopic fragments of plastics counted could not be identified specifically.

2. It’s In Our Oceans

It isn’t just bottled water we should be worrying about – a study published in February of 2024 revealed shocking information about microplastics in our oceans. Large quantities of plastics and microplastics, similar to those found in the largest known garbage patch in the Pacific Ocean, were discovered in brand new areas of the ocean not thought to be impacted. A research team from the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), in collaboration with the Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), has found large quantities of plastic waste and microplastics in a remote marine protected area in the Pacific Ocean, stretching from Canada to Singapore. The prevalence of these tiny microplastics will have many potential impacts on this ecosystem and on the many fish and marine animals that call it home. This poses a significant challenge, as microplastics are often too small to be captured by large nets or even seen by the human eye, making the challenge of cleaning them up almost impossible.

3. It’s In Our Unborn Babies

In the same month of February, Regents’ Professor at the UNM Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences Matthew Campen published the results of a study that aimed to test the amount of plastic in placenta. After testing 62 patients, each placenta tested positive for microplastics, such as polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, and nylon. Polyethylene is also known as PET plastics, and accounted for 54% of the microplastics in the placentas. These plastics are ubiquitous, found in every plastic container, bottle, and utensil. Other scientists have connected the health risks of plastics to lead to inflammatory bowel disease, colon cancer, and declining sperm counts. 

4. It’s In Our Hearts

In March of 2024, another recent study conducted by scientist Francesco Prattichizzo at IRCCS MultiMedica, a hospital in Italy, aimed to test the impact of microplastics on cardiovascular health. Prattichizzo tested 257 adults who had recently undergone surgery removing plaques from their arteries, and discovered microplastics in the plaque of 150 of these patients. After monitoring them for three years post-operations, Prattichizzo discovered that those with plastics in their bodies were four times as likely to die of a heart related death, such as a heart attack or stroke. This new research proves a link between microplastics and cardiovascular disease, and made headlines around the world.

5. Seeping into History

While we know that microplastics are getting into our bodies and our oceans – it’s only recently that researchers have discovered it is getting into our history too. Large amounts of microplastics have been discovered in important archaeological sites by researchers from the University of York and Hull in the United Kingdom. Their study was published March 2024, in the journal Science of the Total Environment, and supported by the educational charity York Archaeology.

Their study tested deposits from two important sites – one is called Wellington Row, and is an archaeological site that dates back to the Viking period and the second is a Roman era site known as the Queen’s Hotel. 

Researchers discovered that Wellington Row had the highest concentration of plastics, with 20,588 microplastics per kilogram, while samples from the Queen’s Hotel site contained 5,910 per kilogram. Some of the plastics could not be identified but test results did detect ethylene-vinyl and polyalkene – both used in food packaging. Polyethylene, polypropylene, hydrocarbon resin were also present but 57 percent of the microplastics were made of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) – better known as Teflon which is used in nonstick cooking pans. 

The contamination of these sites with microplastics could potentially leave researchers unable to fully test these digs for historical information, while also causing increased rates of deterioration.  It seems even history isn’t safe from microplastics. 

It feels that every part of human existence is bumping up against plastics, from environmental science to human health to history — the menace of microplastics is a fact. Just because we cannot see microplastics or the toxic chemicals that leach out from them doesn’t mean they are not there. We cannot see bacteria or viruses with the naked eye either but we all know they are real. More research on microplastics and their causal links to human health issues is needed but we know it is coming.

The post From Health to History: 5 New Concerning Discoveries about Microplastics appeared first on Earth Day.

Babies vs. Plastics Report

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Plastics is not a subject that most of us go to sleep obsessing over or wake up consumed by. But when you are writing a report for EARTHDAY.ORG entitled, BABIES VS. PLASTICS, plastics literally become your life. 

Plastic is an omnipresent material in our lives. Made from oil and a selection of other, often  toxic chemicals,  plastics envelop our world: from wrapping our food, to filling our homes with ‘stuff’ and now even creating the clothes we wear. 

Yet, despite the prevalence of plastics, the health implications associated with them have remained largely absent from the media. Until now that is. Finally, new research has started to gather  much needed evidence showcasing just how harmful exposure to plastics might be.

The world of microplastics is a complex puzzle of tiny plastic particles, not even acknowledged until 2004, when an oceanographer from Plymouth University, Prof. Richard Thompson, named them.  His research showed they had been present in the world’s oceans since the 1960’s and now they are pretty much everywhere. Microplastics are in the air we breathe, every body of water we interact with and in the food chain. It is impossible to escape their presence even if you set out to do just that.

One of the most shocking revelations writing this report was that babies and infants appear to have over 10 times higher rates of microplastics in their feces samples than adults.  It’s not hard to figure out why – babies rely heavily on taste to decode their world and that involves putting practically everything into their mouths. Including a lot of plastic toys, soothers and plastic bottles. Which means they are ingesting tiny plastic particles.  

Scientists from Trinity College, Dublin,  in Ireland published a study  in October 2020, which estimated infants could ingest up to 4.5 million plastic particles per day when fed from polypropylene baby bottles.  

In a  study from 2023, scientists found microplastics had been released into the disposable storage bags used for expressed breast milk.  They reported finding microplastics, most commonly polyethylene (PE),  polyethylene terephthalate¹⁴ (PET), and nylon-6. This equates to between 0.61–0.89 mg/day of microplastics in the average daily breastmilk intake by infants drinking breast milk stored this way. 

Another startling observation was that the dangers of plastic are found in higher concentrations indoors. Making our homes and workplaces potential hotbeds for exposure. The very spaces we consider safe and clean may be harboring invisible threats, with potential long-term health consequences. Which is even more worrying when you consider that babies spend 90% of their time indoors.  From the age of 6 months to roughly a year, babies typically spend a great deal of time crawling on the ground as well. Which means coming into contact with yet more microplastics in household dust. So, it is not hard to understand why babies are potentially predisposed to ingest and inhale microplastics at higher rates than adults.

One of the other surprising things that emerged from our study was the revelation that older microplastics, which have weathered the elements and undergone degradation, might be even more dangerous than their virgin counterparts. As plastics break down over time, they can release harmful chemicals into the environment around them. That environment might be inside our own bodies. 

Many of the additives that leach out include chemicals called phthalates or plasticizers, such as PFAS (Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances), which make plastics more flexible. Or chemical compounds like BPA (Bisphenol A), which make plastics more durable. BPA is already classified as an Endocrine Disrupting Chemical (EDC) which means it comes with a whole host of health related issues all of its own. All of these substances have been linked to various sorts of cancer.

The bad news does not stop there. Microplastics are also vectors for bacteria and viruses as well as attracting heavy metals and other toxic chemicals that adsorb onto them.  This could all have significant implications for human health.

The evidence against microplastics being safe to inadvertently consume is perhaps not surprisingly mounting but there is a glaring lack of government regulations surrounding microplastics. This regulatory failure raises questions about the extent to which fossil fuel corporations, who own the vast majority of the plastics industry, and their lobbyists influence how and what we regulate at a federal level. 

The imbalance between corporate interests and public welfare is a huge and omnipresent concern that feels like it has a David and Goliath size imbalance hard wired in. As plastic production sets to double by 2040, it’s one we cannot back away from. 

If you want to get involved and be part of the movement that stands up to the fossil fuel  owned plastics industry EARTHDAY.ORG invites you to sign our Global Plastics Treaty to call on the United Nations and governments around the world to commit to a 60% reduction of all fossil fuel-based plastic production by 2040. The fight, Planet vs. Plastics, has only just begun — it’s a fight we cannot afford to lose.  The health of our children depends on it.

The post Babies vs. Plastics Report appeared first on Earth Day.

Earlier this fall, I had the opportunity to read deeply about the subject of microplastics for an EARTHDAY.ORG report, BABIES VS. PLASTICS. Although I had heard the term before, I couldn’t have told you much about them, aside from the facts that they were in the oceans, and that this was likely very bad. What I learned both surprised and concerned me — not only for the natural environment, but for human beings, too. 

Here is a snapshot of my seven big takeaways from EARTHDAY.ORG’s BABIES VS. PLASTICS:

• Microplastics are everywhere — even in the most remote parts of the world. Microplastics are located as high as Mount Everest (29,000 feet above sea level) and as low as the Mariana Trench (about 33,000 feet below sea level). Closer to home for me in Colorado, microplastics have been found polluting the snowpack of the Upper Colorado River Basin, blanketing the Rocky Mountains.
  
  How can this be? Microplastics travel great distances by way of weather patterns. When water laden with microplastics evaporates, those particles are carried to the sky where they form clouds, which move from place to place and culminate in precipitation. That rain carries the microplastics back to the earth, even in places where humans may never have taken a step. Microplastics can also travel thousands of miles via air currents.

• They’re inside of us, too. Scientists used to believe that microplastics, if ingested, would benignly pass through the gastrointestinal tract. However, recent research suggests that the smallest pieces of plastic are able to bioaccumulate in various parts of the body. Bioaccumulation takes place when a body takes in microplastics faster than it can dispose of them. Once bioaccumulation occurs, microplastics have been shown to cross cell membranes, such as the blood-brain barrier (BBB). To date, a mixture of animal and human testing has found microplastics in the gut, heart, lungs, and brain, not to mention urine, feces, and blood. Needless to say —  this is not good.

• Once in the body, microplastics can cause a host of health issues, including inflammation, oxidative stress, and endocrine disruption. Chronic inflammation can lead to gastrointestinal issues, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Oxidative stress increases the risk of myriad other diseases later on, including cancer. Bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, both commonly found in microplastics, have been shown to contribute to hormone imbalance in humans, which can result in a litany of unwanted symptoms. 

• We are force-feeding babies plastics. Many of the products we put in front of babies, like plastic feeding bottles and toys, are leaching microplastics at dizzying levels. Plastic feeding bottles can expose infants to 16.2 million particles per liter, according to a study by Nature Food. Babies have more microplastic in their feces than adults and some of this is almost certainly coming from the toys we give them to chew on.  How often those toys are cleaned impacts exposure to microplastics as well. Playgrounds are some of the worst culprits of microplastic particle exposure, owing to something called crumb rubber. Which is actually the plastic from old, used car tires. 

• Plastic recycling is a lie. Less than 10% of the plastic produced globally is recycled. Many of us are familiar with the triangle formation found on a plethora of plastic products. This symbol surrounds what are called resin identification codes (RICs), which range from 1 to 7 and serve to identify both what type of plastic is present and how and where it can be disposed of. 
  
  We may assume that a plastic marked with one of these resin identification codes will ultimately be recycled. Unfortunately, this is far from the truth.  Although RICs #1–6 are all technically recyclable, trucks only routinely collect plastics #1 and #2 in curbside recycling bins across the United States. Meanwhile, those marked #3 and #6, deemed “hard to recycle materials,” often require special collection programs. RICs #4 and #5 typically end up in the landfill because they cost more to recycle than companies are willing to pay. RIC #7 is virtually never recycled. Recycling plastics is a dud.

• Plastic producers don’t want to pay; extended producer responsibility, or EPR, is the answer. In brief, EPR is the idea that those who produce a product, such as plastic, ought to be liable for any damages caused by that product. Some version of limited producer responsibility already exists in the form of recalls and personal injury claims, but one problem with the system as it currently stands is that the burden of proof for those harmed can be insurmountably high. 
  
  To illustrate this point, consider the case not of plastic, but of mold. Most would assume that mold has been long established as injurious when growing in the home. In Fraser v. 301-52 Townhouse Corporation, a group of former tenants sued their former landlord because they believed that they had sustained breathing problems, rash, and fatigue from mold infestations inside the apartment building in which they had lived. An expert witness testified on behalf of the plaintiffs, arguing for the association between upper respiratory complaints and indoor dampness. The district court and then the Supreme Court of New York both ruled that the burden of proof of causation between mold and respiratory problems had not been met, “reject[ing] the entirety of the plaintiffs’ medical expert testimony” (AMA Journal of Ethics). 
  
  But would any of us choose to spend significant amounts of time in a building with known mold infestations, given the choice not to do so? I certainly wouldn’t. I’m betting that the folks at 301-52 Townhouse Corporation wouldn’t either, whether or not they were required to pay damages. By the same token, shouldn’t the producers of plastics bear responsibility for the waste and damage created by those products?

• The pro plastic lobby is well funded, and, like microplastics, they are everywhere. There were 143 of them at the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-3), convened in Nairobi, Kenya, in November 2023, to negotiate a Global Plastics Treaty. The plastic industry and oil-rich nations who make the primary ingredient for plastics, oil, are fighting back against the creation of a meaningful treaty, insisting on NO production cuts in plastic, NO definitions of chemicals of concern, and NO independent scientific body to study the health implications of plastics and their additive chemicals. We need the Treaty to resist these demands and insist on binding regulations to reduce plastic production around the world; it is time we acknowledge the health risks associated with microplastics and their additive chemicals.

Which is why we need your support — you can assist in the creation of a meaningful treaty by signing the Global Plastic Treaty petition. 

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