The Dirty Dozen: How Plastic Has Infected Everything

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. F

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.

Tags:

• human health
• microplastic