“There’s so much plastic in this culture that vinyl leopard skin is becoming an endangered synthetic.”Lily Tomlin
There is a scene in the movie The Graduate (Dustin Hoffman & Anne Bancroft – 1967) where Benjamin Braddock, the 21-year-old disaffected protagonist, played by Dustin Hoffman, is at a cocktail party with his parents. A family friend, a Mr. McGuire, takes young Ben aside during the party and tells him he has just one word of advice for him, just one word – “plastics.” Young Banjamin may not have taken that advice, but the rest of the world sure did. Our modern society is covered up in plastics. And it seems that we humans have absorbed much of the refuse. Like marbling in a side of beef, our bodies are harboring plastics, or more specifically, microplastics. As that great soul and R&B group from the ‘70s, The Dramatics, sang – “Some people are made of plastic.” Now, those people are us.
What are microplastics, and why are they a concern? Microplastics are tiny (small to invisible in size) particles of plastic. They have either been intentionally added to products we use or they are fragments that break off of products as they degrade and wear out. All plastics deteriorate and break down over time. Fragments disperse and spread, going everywhere, like sand in your shorts and wallet after a trip to the beach. Microplastics can now be found far and wide, from the pristine beaches of Belize to the blood and tissues of most humans on planet Earth.
Microplastics can be a problem for two reasons. First, tiny plastic particles in our body can be harmful, causing inflammation and an increased risk of disease. But there is another concern related to microplastics.
Microplastics are made of chemicals, and they can carry and deposit these chemicals into our bodies. Most of these chemicals are considered endocrine disruptors, mimicking estrogen and affecting bodily functions and contributing to disease. Here are a few of these dastardly chemicals found within the plastic bits inhabiting your body.
BPA – Bisphenol-A and other bisphenols are used to make resins and certain hard plastics. BPA can be found in food and drink cans, water bottles, storage containers, sports safety equipment, eyeglass lenses, computers, and more. BPA is also used as a thin coating on thermal paper, including grocery store receipts. BPA easily transfers from receipts to skin and can cause a spike in blood sugar (glucose) within seconds of handling.
Phthalates – The term phthalates refer to a group of chemicals that are added as plasticizers, making products flexible and more durable. Phthalates are used in hundreds of products, including cosmetics, nail polish, soap, shampoo, hair spray, garden hoses, shower curtains, flooring, lubrication oils, and medical tubing.
PFAS – The term PFAS refers to a large family of chemicals often referred to as “forever chemicals” because once they are made, they don’t break down and essentially persist in the environment indefinitely. PFAS can be found in some plastic products, but they are also added to cloth, metal, paper, and cardboard. PFAS can make products nonstick, grease-proof, stain-resistant, waterproof, and resistant to heat and corrosion. PFAS are often used to make food packaging, clothing, furniture, non-stick pans, and dental floss.
So, how do we avoid all these nasty chemicals and the microplastics that carry them? Is it possible to limit our risk? Yes, it is. Here are some suggestions…
Choose fresh whole foods and avoid packaged and processed foods when you can.
Use and look for BPA-free containers (glass, stainless steel, and ceramic). Some foods and beverages are now available in BPA-free packaging and containers.
Do not put plastic in the microwave – ever. Heating plastic carries the risk of chemicals leaching into your food.
Do not drink from water bottles left in the sun or a hot car. Even moderate heat from the sun can leave chemicals in your water.
Throw away your non-stick pans and cookware. And do not use plastic utensils when cooking. Heat will release chemicals into your food.
Avoid tea bags – use loose leaf tea instead. Plastic bits can leach from bags into hot water.
Avoid handling paper receipts. Remember BPA is used as thin coating on thermal paper and transfers to your skin easily.
Here’s a positive word to go with all this bad news. Recent studies have shown that folks who avoided canned foods and drinks, avoided using plastics for food and water consumption and storage, and minimized their contact with thermal receipt papers saw a significant reduction in chemical exposure.
Our world is full of chemical-filled plastic, so it is hard to avoid. Just do the best you can…
© 2025 Jody Dyer
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