4 Things You Can Do to Reduce Your Microplastic Exposure

Microplastics have been found in the human brain, urine, breastmilk, digestive tract, and cardiovascular system. While it may seem impossible to avoid microplastics entirely, there are ways to limit your exposure.

1. Stop Microwaving Plastic Containers

Think twice before reheating leftovers in plastic containers. A 2023 study found that microwaving plastic containers can release millions of microplastics into your meal—much more than storing the same container at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

Swapping plastic for glass containers is an easy starting place, but don’t expect this to eliminate all microplastics from your life.

“Even if you don’t use a plastic container, all your food and vegetables can have microplastics within,” said Yoorae Noh, PhD, an assistant professor in the School of Packaging at Michigan State University.

2. Rethink Your Laundry Habits

Synthetic fabrics like nylon, Spandex, acrylic, and polyester shed microplastics during washing. Some estimates suggest that 35% of ocean microplastics come from these fibers.

As synthetic clothes rub together in the washing machine, they release microplastics into the water.

”Manufacturers of laundry systems and all of the polymer manufacturers and the packaging manufacturers have to do something to mitigate this source of microplastics,” Noh said.

At home, consider installing a washing machine filter to trap microplastics and keep them from entering the environment, or buy natural fibers when possible. You can also skip the pre-wash cycle—research shows it releases nearly as many microfibers as a regular wash.

3. Use Paper Tea Bags or Loose-Leaf Tea

Commercial tea bags made with polypropylene can shed billions of microplastic particles. If you drink tea regularly, look for tea bags that are made from plant cellulose.

Some non-plastic tea bags may still contain plastic as a sealant. If you’re worried, switch to loose-leaf tea as a plastic-free option.

4. Recycle More, Trash Less

Recycling plastic helps reduce microplastic pollution, since plastics that end up in landfills can break down and leach into the environment.

However, recycling isn’t perfect. Only about 15% to 20% of plastic waste is actually recycled, and a 2023 study found that current recycling methods can generate microplastics.

That doesn’t mean recycling isn’t worthwhile. When plastics are not recycled, they are either incinerated, tossed into the environment, or put in a landfill.

“There is no comprehensive review of these different scenarios from the perspective of microplastic production, but when disposed of in the environment, it will be degraded by more mechanical, chemical, and biological factors, leading to more direct microplastic production and exposure,” Noh said.

Recycling guidelines can vary by location, so check with your local center before tossing all plastics into the recycling bin.

More to Learn About the Health Effects of Microplastics

Concerns about microplastics are rising on social media, and some companies have even started offering microplastic blood cleanses and other “detoxes.”

More research is needed to understand how microplastics impact human health. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says that the level of microplastics in our food does not pose a human health risk.

However, a recent study found higher levels of microplastics in the brains of people with dementia compared to those without. While the findings don’t prove a cause, they raise new questions about how microplastics might affect brain health.