There are the obvious ways that plastic harms the environment: millions of marine organisms are killed by plastic pollution in our oceans, only 10% of the plastic manufactured during our lifetimes is recycled, and the production of plastics plays a significant role in climate change.
However, plastics also have subtle and undetectable effects on human health. Naturally, plastic is composed of chemicals, many of which are hazardous to human health. They can enter the body when babies chew on plastic toys or sip from straws. They can also seep into our food when it is stored in plastic containers, particularly when heated.
One journal paper state that each of these exposures is “linked with severe adverse health outcomes such as cancers, birth defects, impaired immunity, endocrine disruption, developmental and reproductive effects.” (1)
There is a long list of chemicals that are bad for human health, but studies have shown that phthalates and BPA/BPF/BPS are especially hazardous. Plastic can be made soft by the former, like the cheap, disposable water bottle you get at the gas station, or hard by the latter, like a durable, reusable water bottle that you can put in the dishwasher.
These substances are known as endocrine disruptors because they interfere with human hormones such as progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone.
Numerous researchers and environmental specialists have connected the emergence of these endocrine disruptors in our surroundings to disruptions in reproductive processes, including decreased fertility, increased rates of miscarriage, and modifications to the quantity and quality of eggs produced in ovaries.
Western men’s total sperm count decreased by 59% between 1973 and 2011, which makes sense given that male testosterone levels can be lowered by exposure to endocrine-disrupting substances.
Male offspring born to pregnant mothers exposed to endocrine disruptors had demonstrably smaller penises and a shorter anal-genital distance. Put another way, the chemicals the expectant mothers were exposed to cause the male babies’ testosterone levels to drop to the point where it had an appreciable physical effect.
For example, this exposure effect has been studied for decades in male frogs, but it is concerning to see it manifested in humans.
How to minimize the amount of plastic you are exposed to at home
We will never be able to completely remove exposures, no matter how obsessed we get about it. What therefore ought to we do? the greatest that is reasonable for us. This is how that appears:
1. Get rid of plastics near food.
This isn’t as difficult as it might seem because, in recent years, there has been an increase in consumer demand for food and water containers made without plastic. If you’re willing, this makes it simple to locate your child a lunchbox or water bottle made of stainless steel. Glass, metal, and ceramics are your best bet for storing food, according to experts.
It’s acceptable if replacing the plastic in your home requires more than one payment at a time. You can reduce your risk by not cooking anything that is wrapped in plastic. It’s as simple as moving your leftovers on a ceramic plate before reheating them in the microwave—a modest but significant adjustment.
Related Post: Beyond Taste: The Health Impact of Your Cookware Choices
2. If you must drink water, filter it or at the very least, avoid using plastic bottles.
Invest in a home water filter if you have the means to do so. We can’t always rely on towns to promptly notify us of issues with our water supply, as the tragedy in Flint, Michigan taught us. Not to add, medicines, industrial, and agricultural contaminants can contaminate your water in ways that are not under municipal control.
Given what we know about PFA contamination in groundwater, filtering your drinking water is even more crucial. In short, what we know about water contamination is reason enough to be cautious with our drinking water; what we don’t know about potential exposures should prompt us to purchase a home filter.
3. Examine the labeling.
Reading food labels to ensure that the food you buy is minimally processed and additive-free should already be second nature to you. The next action is to apply the same level of inspection to your personal care and household cleaning supplies.
Examine your cleaning products, paying particular attention to any sprays and cleaners that contain the terms “danger, warning, poison, or fatal.” Replace those harsh chemicals with ones that have ingredients that are easy to recognize.
One of the most perplexing places to shop is your neighborhood pharmacy’s cosmetics and beauty section. The Food and Drug Administration does not regulate these items as strictly, therefore deceptive wording such as “all natural!” or “Pure and clean!” may appear on their labels. These are non-regulated terms.
When shopping for personal products, try to find items that are organic, safe fragrance-free, paraben-free, and phthalate-free to avoid damaging chemicals and endocrine disruptors.
To Wrap Things Up
Recognizing the subtle but potent hazards that plastics pose to human health allows us to make informed decisions. We may make real efforts to reduce our exposure by using alternatives for food storage, water usage, and personal care items.
As we traverse a world saturated with plastic, our heightened awareness acts as a barrier, protecting our well-being from the subtle effects of these ubiquitous materials. Here’s to a healthier, more plastic-conscious lifestyle that benefits not only us but also our environment.
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