7 safety tips for limiting microplastics in the body
Limiting the presence of microplastics in the body is challenging due to their widespread presence in the environment. However, several steps can help reduce exposure.
Microplastics, tiny plastic particles less than five millimetres in size, are a growing environmental concern because they are found in the air, water, and food.
These particles are released as larger plastic items, such as bottles, packaging, or synthetic textiles, degrade over time.
Due to their small size, microplastics are difficult to detect and have infiltrated nearly every aspect of daily life, making them hard to avoid.
An epidemiologist, Dr Adebayo Onajole, said nanoplastics damage the normal cells of the body, especially the organs where they end up, adding that if the amount of cell damage is too much, the affected organ may malfunction.
“If it is ingested through food, it will get to the liver because most food passes through the portal vessel to the liver before going to other parts of the body. It may damage the cells and lead to thickening of the tissues or liver sclerosis,” he said.
Onajole, who is also a Professor of Public Health at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Lagos, highlighted the critical role of the liver in the body’s metabolism, emphasising that when it cannot metabolise substances adequately due to damage from nanoplastics, it may lead to liver failure.
Similarly, he noted that if nanoplastics are inhaled and deposited in the lungs, they can impair lung function, potentially leading to respiratory issues.
Onajole underscored the health consequences of nanoplastic contamination and the importance of mitigating exposure to safeguard organ function and overall well-being.
Saturday PUNCH learnt that with microplastics now found in common items like food, water, and air, reducing exposure has become a critical public health issue.
Studies have detected microplastics in human tissues, blood, and even the placenta, raising concerns about their potential health effects.
According to a recent study published in Environment International, microplastics are not only ubiquitous in the environment but also present in consumer products.
The study, Assessment of Human Dermal Absorption of Flame Retardant Additives in Polyethylene and Polypropylene Microplastics Using 3D Human Skin Equivalent Models, confirmed the presence of nanoplastics in human stool, lungs, and blood.
The researchers found that the skin could absorb up to eight per cent of the exposure dose, with sweaty skin being more likely to absorb flame retardants compared to dry skin.
Further data reveal that around 322 million metric tonnes of plastic were produced globally in 2016, with 60 per cent of that used for food packaging.
Speaking further, an environmentalist and the President of the Recyclers Association, Dr Femi Idowu-Adegoke, suggested that surgery might be an option for removing nanoplastics from the body, but he also emphasised that not all plastics are harmful.
He said since the beginning of the Second Industrial Revolution, plastics have become essential for packaging, but their management remains a major concern.
However, while it may not be possible to avoid microplastics, there are several safety tips you can adopt to reduce their presence in your body and protect your health.
Minimise using plastic products
Single-use plastics, such as straws, plastic bags, and containers, contribute significantly to environmental plastic pollution, leading to microplastic contamination. Opt for reusable, sustainable alternatives made from glass, metal, or bamboo. Choosing natural fibres over synthetic fabrics is another way to limit exposure, as synthetic materials like polyester and nylon shed microfibres when washed, which can enter water supplies and potentially end up in food sources. A study published in the National Library of Medicine by Joana Prata et al., titled Solutions and Integrated Strategies for the Control and Mitigation of Plastic and Microplastic Pollution, called for a reduction in microplastic exposure, insisting that single-use water bottles, to-go food containers, and storage wraps are examples of common plastic-based food packaging that contain microplastics.
Eat organic instead of processed foods
Many food packaging materials, especially plastic wraps and containers, can leach microplastics. Choosing fresh, whole foods over processed ones can help reduce exposure to these contaminants. A nutritionist and professor at the Department of Nursing Science, University of Calabar, Cross River State, Mary Mgbekem, stressed the need to consume organic foods, insisting that processed foods may be harmful to the body.
“The diseases that we suffer from today were not known to our fathers who ate only organic food from the farm and drank water from fresh streams. Processed foods have a lot of chemicals in them, and sometimes, materials used in packaging and preserving them are the major causes of the challenges we have today,” she added.
Consume foods rich in antioxidants
A Consultant Endocrinologist and Gastroenterologist at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Akwa Ibom State, Professor Uduak Okon, said encouraging individuals to consume foods rich in antioxidants is pivotal in mitigating the complications of harmful agents in the body.
He noted that antioxidants play active roles in neutralising free radicals, thereby reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.
According to Okon, who is also the Dean of the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences at the University of Uyo, vitamin supplements such as vitamins C and E can bolster the body’s defence mechanisms against the impact of nanoplastics.
Reduce exposure to dust
Dust can contain microplastics from furniture, flooring, and other materials. Regularly clean surfaces with a damp cloth to capture particles rather than spread them.
A vacuum cleaner equipped with a High-Efficiency Particulate Air filter can also help trap smaller particles, including microplastics. Keeping a clean house is something anyone can do to reduce exposure.
“The carpets, the curtains, the sofa—most of those are probably not made from fully natural fabrics—and they degrade, and their fibres accumulate. All that dust and fluff that balls up like tumbleweed under sofas or twinkles in sunbeams after you plump a cushion will contain plastic fibres. This is why the vacuum cleaner is about more than being house-proud,” said the Chief Environmental Scientist at the Environmental Protection Authority in the Australian state of Victoria, Mark Taylor.
Avoid seafood from contaminated areas
Microplastics accumulate in the oceans, and marine life, particularly shellfish and fish, often ingest them. These microplastics can end up in your diet. Consider reducing your seafood consumption or sourcing it from cleaner areas. Microplastics are highly prevalent in seafood due to the vast quantity of them in the ocean. Research consistently finds microplastics in a wide variety of animals in both oceans and rivers that feed into the oceans. For example, one 2020 study of two fish species carried out by the Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography in a river found that 100 per cent of these fish had microplastics in their bodies.
Don’t heat plastic
Avoid microwaving or heating food or water in plastic, including brewing certain tea bags. Many people are guilty of this. However, it’s prudent to reduce exposure even if a container says it’s microwave-safe. Instead, consider glass or ceramic, said the Director of the Programme on Reproductive Health and the Environment at the University of California, San Francisco, Tracey Woodruff.
Limit use of personal care products with microbeads
Avoid cosmetics and personal care products containing microbeads—extremely small plastic particles often used for exfoliating. A single bottle of facial scrub can contain up to 300,000 microbeads. Look for products labelled ‘microbead-free’ or those using natural exfoliants like sugar, salt, or ground walnut shells.
Stay informed
Microplastic contamination is an evolving area of research. Stay updated on the latest findings to better understand the sources and risks associated with microplastics.
“First, educate the people and then enforce the law. There might be the use of carrots and sticks to do this for waste management and plastic recovery as well. Having said that, we need to phase out these plastics and get better alternatives. If we don’t do that, plastic will take over. We need to manage our waste front and the environment. It is not just that alone—there are also economic, social, and environmental aspects to it,” Idowu-Adegoke said.
