10 Ways Your Body is Consuming More Plastic Than You Realize
And 10 Ways to do Something About it
Earlier in the year, a New York Post article went viral with the headline, “You’re eating a credit card’s worth of plastic a week — and it’s killing your gut.” For most people, I searched the internet for something to substantiate that claim. The article eliminated the range that it’s more likely to be .1 - .5 grams weekly, with .1 grams likely for most people and .5 grams being a credit card’s worth. Source - Study in Journal of Hazardous Materials
Okay, with that said, you’re probably not eating a credit card’s worth of plastic a week. However… there’s something called the compound effect that takes its toll long term. Several years ago, I noticed my hairline receding, prompting a dermatologist trip. He likened it to my use of styling tools. I’m a curly-haired girl who only blowdries and flat irons my hair once or twice weekly. Doing that for decades, however, took its toll on my hairline. That is the compound effect of everything we do, for better or worse ugh…
We all know the obvious ways of plastic consumption: food storage. What we tend to overlook is how much of the plastic we use leaches into our bodies. I won’t get into how much of that also ends up back in the environment because that’s a story for another time. Plastic consumption has been linked to:
Respiratory problems: Inhaling airborne microplastic particles can potentially lead to respiratory problems, similar to inhaling other particulate matter. This concerns people who work in industries where they may be exposed to plastic dust or live in areas with high plastic pollution.
Allergies and skin reactions: Some people may experience skin irritation or allergies from contact with certain plastics or materials containing plastic additives.
Endocrine disruption: Certain plastic chemicals, such as phthalates, have been associated with endocrine disruption, affecting hormone balance and reproductive health.
Gastrointestinal issues: Ingesting large or sharp plastic fragments accidentally, such as from food packaging, can lead to gastrointestinal problems, including blockages, discomfort, and damage to the digestive tract.
Read on for some easy, budget-friendly replacement items.
Dental products - Your toothbrush is made of a plastic handle and bristles. I switched to bamboo toothbrushes and non-toxic toothpaste tablets that are eco-friendly and economically friendly.
Food Storage - Glass food storage is preferred over BPA-free plastics. These from Caraway (we can’t say enough good things about this brand) are microwave and oven-safe!
Straws - If you’ve never seen a picture of sealife with a straw stuck in its nose, trust me, it’s heartbreaking. Glass straws are a great substitute. Afraid the littles will break them? There are stainless steel and paper options available.
Deodorant - We love Each & Every fragrance-free deodorant with essential oils!
Silicone Food Covers - Silicone Stretch Lids are a great and reusable alternative to plastic wrap.
Non-toxic Dishwasher Tablets - Did you know those commonly used dishwasher tablets are wrapped in plastic? They dissolve with heat, so you are washing your dishes in plastic! Our favorite alternative is Blueland dishwasher tablets.
Non-Toxic Clothes Detergent - You’d be surprised how many companies once considered eco-friendly have sold to larger non-eco-friendly giants. Their formulas have changed in many cases. We’ve switched to Clean People detergent sheets.
Paper Food Storage Bags - Lunchkins are recyclable and sealable food storage.
Mesh Produce Bags - I wash these Earthwise produce bags after each shopping trip and keep them with my reusable shopping bags.
Wooden Toys - These wooden toys will outlast plastic and are classic!
Ready for a healthier home environment? Contact us for organizing help to reach your home and productivity goals.