MICROPLASTICS is yet another poison to our planet in so many ways.I will not recount all the ways it is effecting us, I will however, introduce you to this problem if you have not read about it yet. And while we are at it, PFAS’s will also be discussed.
Think about this: microplastics have been found in nearly every human being tested . And where? in the testes, the heart, the brain, the gut, the liver, even the eyes. What does it do? Frankly we don’t know yet but trust the research is there. The fact that microplastics may contribute to plaque in our heart and brain arteries raises the question as to whether these little sub micron and micron sized particles create the chances for heart attacks and strokes. Consider that the average sperm count in men, studied around the world, even in remote areas of the planet, has dropped by 50% in 50 years suggests that chemicals AND microplastics are the cause. What is to become of our fertility rates?
Where do these tiny microscopic particles come from? Consider the average liter of water in a plastic bottle contains more than 200,000 particles of plastic. This is not hyperbole. Even city water contains microplastics. Ocean water contains too many to count. Infact the Sea salt containing food you use daily contains microplastics on each grain of salt. Yes.
SO what can be done? Limit or eliminate plastic bottles. Use glass bottles or metal containers. Use filters in your kitchen, either a reverse osmosis product, which can run up to $500 A UNIT but lasts for decades, or buy an Aqua Gear pitcher. This particular filter is about $50 and needs a filter replacement about every six months. It has been touted as the best filter for both PFAS (Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and microplastics, about 97% of each is removed. We use it in our kitchen for all water except the dish washer and in the sink. Both Wirecutter and Consumerlab.com has researched filter pitchers and makes this the most reliable and most efficient. PFAS are the forever molecules that are found in flame retardant chemicals on furniture, in sprays used to put out fires, and in water proofing, at least recently found on goretex materials and in almost all 3M products which includes even scotch tape. Carpets, clothing, teflon and other stick resistant cookware, paints and cleaning products.
In one study reported in the New Yorker magazine summer of 2024, a study of blood samples from around the world found only one area where PFAS’s were NOT found, a rural community in China.
Thus dump the teflon nonstick pots and pans, stop using plastic water bottles or plastic soda, plastic in food storage or even purchases of food. Or at least cut back as much as is humanly possible. Don’t stay up at night fretting, do something, for your health and your children’s and the health of the planet and all living organisms.