The Hidden Dangers of Microplastics: Protecting Your Family and the Environment

In today's modern world, plastics have become an integral part of our daily lives, from the containers we store food in to the toys our children play with. However, recent scientific studies have shed light on the hidden dangers of microplastics, both for our health and the environment. As responsible parents and guardians, it's crucial to understand the risks associated with microplastics and take proactive steps to minimize their impact on our families and the planet.

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in size, and they can be found virtually everywhere, from the air we breathe to the water we drink and the food we eat. These particles are pervasive in the environment due to the breakdown of larger plastic items, such as bottles and bags, as well as the shedding of microplastics from synthetic clothing, personal care products, and household items.

Recent studies have linked exposure to microplastics to a range of health concerns, including:

1. Endocrine Disruption: Certain chemicals found in plastics, such as phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA), have been associated with endocrine disruption, which can interfere with hormone function and lead to reproductive and developmental issues.

2. Toxicity: Microplastics can act as carriers for harmful chemicals and pollutants, such as pesticides and heavy metals, which can accumulate in the bodies of animals and humans and pose a risk to health.

3. Inflammation: Inhalation or ingestion of microplastics has been shown to trigger inflammatory responses in the body, which can contribute to chronic diseases such as asthma, allergies, and cardiovascular problems.

In addition to the health risks, microplastics also pose a significant threat to the environment, particularly aquatic ecosystems. Marine animals often mistake microplastics for food, leading to ingestion and potential harm to their health. Furthermore, microplastics can absorb and concentrate toxic chemicals, which can bioaccumulate in the food chain and ultimately pose a risk to human health.

So, what can we do to protect our families and the environment from the dangers of microplastics? Here are some recommendations:

1. Reduce Plastic Use: Minimize your family's reliance on single-use plastics such as bags, take-out and food storage containers, bottles, and straws. Opt for reusable alternatives made from glass, stainless steel, or silicone whenever possible.

2. Choose Natural Fibers: When selecting clothing and textiles for your family, choose natural fibers such as cotton (even better if it's organic cotton), linen, wool, and bamboo over synthetic materials like polyester and nylon, which shed microplastics when washed as well as contain harmful chemicals that have contact with your and your kids' body. That's why we recommend and offer on our website kids' and baby clothing, swaddles, blankets and more primarily made from organic cottons. 

3. Avoid Plastic Packaging: Opt for fresh, unpackaged foods and products whenever possible. Choose products packaged in glass, paper, or cardboard instead of plastic containers, whenever possible. This one is hard to accomplish at scale, as so much packaging is still plastic, even if you buy high quality organic foods. Also, make sure to store food in glass or stainless steel containers (check out our selection here), vs plastic ones and never heat up food in plastic packaging. Avoid to-go drink cups made of plastic or styrofoam as well. This is especially important when it comes to kids. You can read more about plastic free dinnerware for kids in this article or cups and water bottles for kids here. 

4. Use filters for water and air purifiers: Consider installing microplastic filters on your washing machine and using filtration systems for drinking water as well as high quality air purifiers to reduce microplastic contamination and exposure at home. There are some good water and air filters out there for different budget levels. For the best water filter, consider eSpring water purifier - the brand new version is even more effective and has better design than the previous one. While pricey, it is one of the most effective on the market eliminating lots of contaminants and making water taste great. There are a lot less pricey good water purifiers out there as well, such as this iSpring reverse purification osmosis system. If you don't have the budget for a purification system, even a pitcher based water filter would be a good start. Consider this LifeStraw water filter pitcher made from glass (which is much preferred in our opinion over plastic pitchers, which could leach plastics). When it comes to air purifiers, on the high end is Atmosphere Sky, which has both carbon and HEPA filters that eliminate very small contaminants such as viruses, bacteria, etc as well as odors, dust particles, and much more. With 99.99% contaminant purification effectiveness, these results are hard to beat with another filter. This particular one has good sq footage coverage as well. Smaller less expensive units are also available for smaller spaces. For much more budget-friendly options, check out Shark HEPA air purifier, or Bissell Smart Hepa and Carbon Air Purifier. With 99.98% and 99.97% purification effectiveness respectively, while not 99.99%, these are still pretty solid filters to consider at significantly lower cost. 

5. Dust and vacuum regularly, at least once a week, to reduce exposure to microplastics. Use a vacuum with HEPA filter, such as this budget-friendly Shark Navigator HEPA vacuum cleaner. If you are willing to spend extra dollars to invest in a vacuum, a great one to consider is Dyson V8 Cordless HEPA vacuum cleaner.
6. Reduce use of personal care, cosmetics and household products packaged in plastic: Opt for "fragrance free" products to avoid exposure to phthalates. 

7. Support legislation: Advocate for policies and regulations that restrict the use of microplastics in consumer products and promote environmentally-friendly alternatives. While we hope companies and people choose healthier and environmentally friendlier options through responsible purchasing preferences, it is insufficient to rely on choices and strong legislation needs to be in place to further support and drive reduction of use microplastics for manufacturing various commonly used products. 

By taking these proactive steps, we can reduce our family's exposure to microplastics and help protect the health of our loved ones and the planet for generations to come. Together, let's make a conscious effort to minimize our reliance on plastics and create a safer, healthier world for all.