Searching for solutions to microplastics in the water
As the UN Oceans Conference gets underway in France, scientists around the world are looking at
new ways to tackle the problem of microplastic pollution, Derek Van Dam reports
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As you cook, store food and even brew your morning coffee or tea, you may be inadvertently adding microplastics to your food and drinks. These tiny plastic particles are increasingly showing up not only in our food but also in our bodies (Heads up: they've been found throughout the body, from the brain to the blood, liver and placenta). A big way microplastics get into our food is through contaminated soil, water and air. But it can also happen right in the kitchen, through simple daily habits that you likely have a lot of control over. Whether you're chopping veggies on a plastic cutting board or reheating last night's dinner in a plastic container, you may be increasing your exposure to microplastics. As of now, a lot more research is needed to get a better understanding of how microplastics and nanoplastics might directly affect or harm human health. But some early research results allow us to see that the potential health consequences may not be great. For example, research findings from one observational study show that microplastics found in arteries may potentially increase the risk of having a stroke and heart disease. If you're concerned about your microplastic exposure — and how your kitchen habits may be playing a role — we have some good news. In most cases, you can lean into some simple, plastic-free swaps. Here are six ways microplastics might be making their way into your food and drinks due to your kitchen habits, and what you can use instead. Many people rely on plastic cutting boards because they're nonporous and can be easier to clean. But this may not be the best idea. When you cut food on a plastic cutting board, you're often putting microplastics directly into your food. And research shows that the stronger the cut, the more microplastics are released. 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If so, it may be time to find an alternative. 'These plastics are soft, so they shed plastic flakes easily, which can become a considerable health risk for those that often use these types of bags,' said Bryan Quoc Le, food scientist and food industry consultant. In a 2020 study published in Scientific Reports, researchers found that simply opening plastic packaging — whether through snipping with scissors, tearing a bag, twisting or cutting with a knife — can generate microplastics. The amount generated varied depending on the thickness of the plastic packaging, but the researchers noted that this sends a warning about the importance of using care when opening plastic packaging for those who are concerned about microplastics. Use reusable silicone bags, stainless steel or glass containers or beeswax wraps. Plastic wrap can release plastic particles into food, 'especially when placed directly against hot food, since it is such a soft plastic,' Le said. 'Depending on factors such as the temperature and moisture of the food, this could pose serious problems because some of the plastic wrap could actually melt onto the food, which would become a major hazard.' Cover your food loosely with aluminum foil (but do not put this in the microwave), or use reusable silicone stretch wraps, beeswax wraps or a glass container with a lid. Do you still cook with plastic utensils? Research shows that these release substantial amounts of microplastic particles with normal use, which can then be ingested with food. When heated, this is an even bigger problem. 'As we use them on our hot pans — you've probably noticed if you use them at home — they start to melt a little, and plastic will come off of them,' Fulfer said. Ditch your plastic cooking utensils and switch to products made of wood or metal, depending on what type of pan you're cooking with. Many tea bags are made of a type of plastic called polypropylene. When you brew these tea bags in water that's been heated to a high temperature, the bag can begin to break down and release microplastics. Others made of nylon and cellulose have also been found to release microplastics. Researchers in Spain and Canada, for example, found that plastic tea bags may release millions or even billions of microplastic particles when steeped in hot water. 'The danger of this is that these millions of microplastics and nanoplastics can enter the bloodstream and [gastrointestinal] tract, and can be quite small, and may be small enough to cross the blood/brain barrier, as we have seen with other nanoplastics,' Brandon said. The safest option is to brew loose leaf tea in a glass or metal tea infuser or kettle. If you want to stick with tea bags, look for teas labeled as plastic free or those made of natural materials like 100% cotton, hemp or paper. 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