Cut your plastics use to avoid these 5 surprising health causes
We live in the times that plastics are everywhere and it’s pretty impossible to avoid getting exposed to them. Our bodies can handle some amounts but it’s unclear what’s the limit when they start causing severe health problems and what’s the role of micro plastics in the the case of a chronic illness.
In what ways microplastics cause health risks?
- They can absorb and concentrate toxic chemicals from the environment. When we ingest or inhale these, the chemicals can be released into the body.
- In lab tests, microplastics have been shown to cause damage to human cells, including allergic reactions and cell death. Additionally, their small size allows them to penetrate tissues and organs, potentially causing inflammation and other adverse effects.
- Microplastics contain chemical additives that can disrupt the endocrine system, leading to hormonal imbalances and reproductive issues like infertility. Today about 1 out of 6 people are infertile.
- Microplastics can harbor harmful microorganisms and pathogens, posing a risk of infection when consumed.
- Micro plastics have even been linked to heart attack. Inflammation, arterial plaque and a reduced blood flow to the heart make a dangerous cocktail that can lead to heart attack.
Microplastics enter our bodies through many channels
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that originate from the breakdown of larger plastic debris and the manufacturing of commercial products. Due to their small size, microplastics are widespread in the environment, found in oceans, rivers, soil and even air.
- Seafood and water: microplastics are found in many food and beverage items, such as seafood, bottled water, and salt.
- Air: microplastics are present in the air we breathe, particularly in urban areas, due to the breakdown of larger plastic items, such as packaging and synthetic textiles. They can also be released during activities like tire wear and road abrasion.
- Cosmetics and personal care products: some cosmetics and personal care items contain microplastics as exfoliants or thickeners. When these products are used, microplastics will be spread around via the water washed down the drain, eventually making their way into the food chain of humans and animals.
- Household textils: microplastics shed from various domestic products, such as synthetic textiles, carpets, and furniture. These particles can become airborne and be inhaled or settle on surfaces and be ingested inadvertently.
- Packaging materials: microplastics can leach from plastic packaging materials into food and beverages, especially when exposed to heat or acidic conditions
As you can see, it’s quite challenging to escape micro plastics completely. However, there are ways to reduce your exposure to them and also make your body more efficient in getting rid of them.
Sources
https://www.who.int/news/item/04-04-2023-1-in-6-people-globally-affected-by-infertility