We’re exposed to plastic daily through three main ways: contaminated food and drinks, absorption through the skin, and breathing it in. I have procrastinated in posting this for quite some time because it seemed to be overwhelming in that there seems to be no way to totally escape exposure. It’s like knowing what a danger something is and not knowing how to avoid or fix the problem. I thought to myself, “Why bother trying”; then I came across this video that showed that even decreasing our exposure to it by doing what we can is literally life changing. The video trailer in this post is an eye opener and my hope is that you will take the time to view the entire video on your own. physician and how See how the physician changed the lives of several people and in such a profound way; but before that, let’s study some statistics that made me change a lot of things in my household for the sake of my loved ones and to hopefully be a ray of hope for others who thought just like me, “Why bother trying?”
Why should you care? For starters, microplastics effect major body organs in the following ways:
- The Heart: microplastics get deposited in the arteries and cause plaque, causes an increased risk of heart attack, stroke and damage to blood vessels
- The Lungs: aggrivates asthma, causes lung inflammation, irritates the airways because of inhalation of the particles. Have you suddenly as an adult began to suffer from asthma? Try decreasing your exposure to plastic.
- Reproductive and Endocrine System: Interferes with hormones using chemical additives like BPA and phthalates, which can lower sperm quality and effect development.
- Digestive System: irritates the lining of the gut, changes the gut microbiome and disrupts metabolism. Microwaving with plastic and storing foods and liquids in plastic all contribute to ingestion of this toxin. Drinking hot liquids in plastic or plastic lined cups, eating off of plastic plates, especially hot foods are extremely detrimental.
- The Nervouse System: the nanoplastics can move across the blood-brain barrier, activating the potential for the plastic to be a neurotoxin and cause cellular energy issues. It’s been recently stated that upon autopsy the average person has enough plastic found in their brain to make a plastic spoon…… A PLASTIC SPOON!!!
- Health agencies have stated that while no proof has yet been found that plastic is directly linked to cancer, it contains leach harmful chemicals linked to cancer risks.
- Skin absorption: a lot of synthetic material that we put on our bodies are made with some form of plastic and gets absorbed. Our soaps, lotions, colonge that are stored in plastic leach these chemicals. Using plastic bags to bag our groceries even contributes to exposure.
The direct effects on us humans is enough but when you think about the effects on the planet and other species it just gets utterly ridiculous. Check out some of these facts:
- Wildlife and ocean dwellers are harmed from being entangled, ingesting plastic. This enters into the food chain.
- The greenhouse emissions from the production of plastic as well as it’s disposal and breakdown are toxic.
- Release of toxic chemicals disrupt not only human health but all living things.
- Since plastic doesn’t break down naturally it causes much damage to our air, water and land for generations (literally hundreds of years, about 450 to be more exact).
- So let’s recycle!👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🙋🏾 Well, only a small percentage of all plastic that’s produced gets recycled.😥
How Can We Reduce Exposure and Danger?
- Replace plastic with glassware, stainless steel for drinking, eating and cooking as much as possible. Return to the days of old how grandmother used to prepare food and package before plastic.
- Wrap in paper (remember when butchers used brown paper to wrap the meat?) Bag in paper sacks or bring your own cloth bag.
- Wear plant based clothing that’s eco-friendly such as cotton, linen, or hemp
- Use tea leaves and ditch tea bags, some are made with plastic and it’s not obvious.
- Buy/store cosmetics in glass or ceramic when at all possible
- No non-stick cookware and no plastic cutting boards or utensils. Swap them out!!!
- Get back to buying fresh and unpackaged. Grown your own when possible.
Before you leave this post, please take a look at this trailer, “The Plastic Detox”, a Netflix Documentary. Watch the full movie when you can. It’s worthwhile and will give hope. I’d love to receive your comments on any tips you have in swapping out plastic usage for something more environmentally friendly and healthy for us. It’s also much needed to hold companies that do not recycle their plastics as well as labeling their products clearly that are packaged in plastic. This way the decision is in our hands in making the best and healthiest purchase.
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