The Truth About Microplastics: Protecting Your Home and Health

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles smaller than 5mm that are invading our homes and bodies. Here’s what you need to know:

You consume about 5 grams of plastic weekly (equivalent to a credit card)
Microplastics have been found in human blood, organs, and breast milk
They may cause inflammation, cell damage, and heart problems

Key ways to reduce microplastics in your home:

Filter your water
Use glass or metal containers instead of plastic
Vacuum and dust regularly
Choose natural fiber clothing when possible

Source	How to Reduce Exposure
Water	Use a filter that removes microplastics
Food	Avoid plastic packaging and containers
Air	Use HEPA air purifiers
Clothing	Wash synthetic fabrics less, use microfiber-catching bags

This guide covers the health risks of microplastics, how they enter your home, and practical steps to protect yourself and your family from these tiny plastic invaders.

How Microplastics Get Into Your Home

Microplastics are sneaking into our homes without us noticing. Let’s look at what these tiny troublemakers are and how they’re getting in.

What Are Microplastics?

Microplastics are plastic bits smaller than 5 millimeters – about the size of a sesame seed or smaller. They come from everyday items breaking down over time.

Here’s what you need to know:

They can be tiny – as small as 1 micrometer (nanoplastics)
You’ll find them in air, water, and food
Indoor levels can be up to 60 times higher than outdoors

Common Items With Hidden Microplastics

You might not realize how many things in your home have microplastics. Here are some surprising sources:

Item	Microplastic Source	How It Happens
Nail polish	Resin	Chips off
Acrylic paint	Thermosetting plastic	Ends up in landfills
Chewing gum	Polyethylene	Becomes long-lasting waste
Water bottles	Durable plastic	Sheds particles
Baby and pet toys	Durable plastic	Release particles when chewed
Cutting boards	Solid plastic	Can chip into food

But wait, there’s more:

Teabags often have nylon and polyethylene
Menstrual pads can be up to 90% plastic
Workout clothes shed particles when washed

Dr. Suvi Haimi, CEO of Sulapac, says: "They don’t just pollute after we throw them out – they release microplastics while we use them."

How Microplastics Enter Your Body

These tiny particles are getting into our systems in several ways:

1. Through the air

We might breathe in 2,000-7,000 microplastics daily. Kids’ rooms often have the most, thanks to carpets, synthetic bedding, and soft toys.

2. In food and drinks

Microplastics show up in:

Pre-packaged ice cubes (every sample tested)
Seafood and produce
Even breast milk and babies’ first stool

3. Through our skin

Personal care products and makeup can contain microplastics we might absorb.

Professor Anoop Jivan Chauhan MBE, a breathing expert, warns: "We’re worried about what breathing in and eating microplastics is doing to us, not just the environmental damage."

The scary part? Scientists have found microplastics throughout the human body – in blood, spit, liver, kidneys, and even the placenta.

We’re still learning about how microplastics affect our health, but it’s clear we need to cut down on them. In the next sections, we’ll look at practical ways to protect your home and health from these tiny invaders.

Health Risks of Microplastics

Microplastics are everywhere. And they’re not just bad for the environment – they’re bad for your health too. Here’s what scientists have found out about these tiny troublemakers:

Latest Research Results

Recent studies have uncovered some scary stuff:

Heart patients with microplastics in their blood vessels were TWICE as likely to have a heart attack or stroke.
Scientists found plastic particles in 17 out of 22 blood samples from healthy adults. Half had PET plastic, a third had polystyrene, and a quarter had polyethylene.
Microplastics showed up in placentas and might mess with fetal development. In one study, ALL 13 cases of intrauterine growth restriction pregnancies had microplastics.

How Microplastics Mess With Your Body

These tiny plastics can cause big problems:

Body System	What Microplastics Can Do
Heart	Up your risk of heart attack and stroke
Lungs	Cause inflammation, make breathing harder, and maybe even lead to lung cancer
Gut	Mess up your gut bacteria
Reproductive System	Lower sperm quality and testosterone
Brain	Mess with learning and memory

Dr. Jaime Ross found microplastics in mouse brains, leading to cognitive decline that looked a lot like dementia. That’s not great news for humans.

Who’s in the Danger Zone?

Microplastics are bad for everyone, but some folks are in more trouble:

1. Babies and kids

Babies drinking from plastic bottles? They’re swallowing millions of microplastic particles every day. And get this – baby poop has 10 TIMES more microplastics than adult poop.

2. Pregnant women

Microplastics have shown up in placentas. That’s not good for growing babies.

3. People already dealing with health issues

If you’ve got heart problems, microplastics might make things worse.

4. Vulnerable communities

Mary Johnson from Harvard says:

"Vulnerable populations are at even greater risk of the negative health impacts from the production, use and degradation of plastics."

If you’re in a low-income or minority community, you might be dealing with more microplastics thanks to things like living near factories or having contaminated water.

We’re still figuring out just how bad microplastics are for us. But what we know so far? It’s not good. Next up, we’ll talk about how to keep these tiny plastic invaders out of your home and away from your family.

Ways to Protect Your Home

Want to kick microplastics out of your house? Here’s how to make your home a microplastic-free zone.

Best Water Filters

Clean water shouldn’t come with a side of plastic. Here’s how to keep your H2O pure:

Filter	Microplastics Reduction	Contaminants Removed	Price	Annual Cost
Kind E-1000 Whole House	99%	10+	$776.12	$120 – $300
Clearly Filtered Pitcher	99.9%	365+	$90.00	$140
Waterdrop G3P800	99.9%	1000+	$999.00	$145

The Kind E-1000 is a whole-house solution that filters 80,000 gallons before needing a change. It’s ideal if you want clean water from every tap.

For smaller budgets, the Clearly Filtered Pitcher is a great choice. It filters 100 gallons per cartridge and fits in your fridge.

The Waterdrop G3P800 uses reverse osmosis to tackle even the tiniest contaminants. It’s pricier but highly effective.

"Americans are exposed to between 39,000 and 52,000 microplastic particles in their food and water every year", says Miriam Gubovicova, founder of Healthy Holistic Homes. "A good filter is your first line of defense."

Clean Air Solutions

Microplastics aren’t just in water – they’re in the air too. Here’s how to clear the air:

True HEPA filters catch 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns. That’s tiny! For even better filtration, H13 HEPA filters snag 99.995% of particles down to 0.1 microns.

Top picks include the Coway Airmega AP-1512HH, which filters 99.999% of particles down to 0.01 microns, and the LEVOIT Core-300P, great for medium-sized rooms, removing 99.9% of 0.1-micron particles.

Don’t forget: Clean and replace filters regularly to keep them working their best.

Better Product Choices

Small swaps can make a big difference:

Use glass, stainless steel, or ceramic instead of plastic containers. They’re safer and won’t leach microplastics.

Choose cotton, wool, and silk over synthetic fabrics. They shed fewer microfibers when washed.

Use a Guppy Friend bag or install a filter on your washing machine to catch those pesky fibers.

Check labels on personal care products. Opt for natural exfoliants instead of microbeads.

Try shampoo bars, body wash refills, and plastic-free deodorants. Your body (and the planet) will thank you.

"It’s best to wash synthetic materials in separate loads to reduce microfiber shedding", advises Corinna Williams from Celsious.

Simple Steps for Daily Protection

Want to kick microplastics out of your life? Here’s how to cut down on these tiny troublemakers:

Better Laundry Methods

Your clothes shed plastic with every wash. But you can fight back:

Wash less often. It’s not just lazy, it’s eco-friendly! Plus, you’ll save on energy bills.

Always wash full loads. This cuts water use and microfiber shedding.

Stick to cold or warm washes. Lower temperatures mean less shedding.

Skip the delicate cycle. It uses more water and causes more shedding.

Catch those fibers. Use a Guppyfriend bag ($35) or Cora Ball ($38) to trap microfibers.

"We have a plastic pollution crisis", says Alexis Jackson, marine biologist with the Nature Conservancy. "Changing how we do laundry can make a real difference."

Want to go all out? Install a microfiber filter on your washing machine. The LUV-R filter ($180) can cut microfibers in wastewater by up to 44%.

Kitchen Safety Tips

Your kitchen might be a microplastic hotspot. Here’s how to clean it up:

Instead of This	Use This
Plastic containers	Glass, ceramic, or stainless steel
Plastic cooking utensils	Metal, wood, or silicone
Plastic wrap	Beeswax wraps or glass containers
Microwaving in plastic	Heat food in glass or ceramic
Plastic tea bags	Loose leaf tea with a metal infuser

Ditch the dryer sheets (they’re made of polyester) and switch to wool dryer balls. They’ll last for years and won’t shed microplastics.

Safer Personal Care Products

Many beauty products are packed with microplastics. Here’s how to clean up your routine:

Check the label. Avoid products with polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

Go natural. Choose products with natural exfoliants like sugar, salt, or ground nuts.

DIY it. Make your own scrubs with coffee grounds or oatmeal.

Rethink your routine. Do you really need that face scrub? Sometimes less is more.

Next Steps: Reducing Microplastics at Home

Want to kick microplastics out of your home? Here’s how to get started:

Kitchen Makeover

Plastic cutting boards can transfer millions of microplastics to your food. Switch to safer options like tempered glass (doesn’t harbor bacteria, but can dull knives) or wood (natural, but needs more maintenance).

For food storage, remember: heat and plastic don’t mix. Use glass or ceramic containers for heating, especially in the microwave.

Even your ice cubes might be hiding plastic. Try stainless steel or silicone ice trays instead.

Brew Smarter

Your daily tea might come with a side of plastic. Here’s a shocking fact:

"One single-use tea bag can release 11 billion microplastic and 3 billion nanoplastic particles into your tea", says Miriam Gubovicova, founder of Healthy Holistic Homes.

The fix? Use loose leaf tea with a metal infuser or choose cotton tea bags.

Laundry Room Revolution

Your clothes shed microplastics with every wash. Here’s how to fight back:

Wash less often
Do full loads
Use cold or warm water (not hot)
Skip the delicate cycle

Want extra protection? Try a Guppyfriend bag ($35) or Cora Ball ($38) to catch microfibers. For serious filtration, the LUV-R filter ($180) can cut microfibers in wastewater by up to 44%.

Bathroom Blitz

Many beauty products are packed with microplastics. Clean up your routine by avoiding products with polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Choose natural exfoliants like sugar, salt, or ground nuts. Or go DIY with coffee grounds or oatmeal scrubs.

Air and Water

Don’t forget what you breathe and drink:

1. Filter your water

The Clearly Filtered Pitcher ($90) removes 99.9% of contaminants, including microplastics.

2. Clean your air

Use an air purifier with a HEPA filter. The Coway Airmega AP-1512HH filters 99.999% of particles down to 0.01 microns.

3. Dust and vacuum regularly

Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to reduce airborne microplastics.

FAQs

How harmful are microplastics to humans?

Microplastics are BAD news for your health. Here’s what research has found:

They can mess with your fertility (both guys and gals)
They’re linked to various cancers
They might mess up brain development
They’re bad for your heart
They can damage your kidneys

Why? It’s the nasty chemicals in these tiny plastic bits. Get this: if you’ve got heart problems and microplastics in your blood vessels, you’re TWICE as likely to have a heart attack or stroke. Yikes.

What are household sources of microplastics?

Surprise! Microplastics are hiding all over your house:

Source	The Plastic Problem
Water bottles	Plastic bits leach into your drink
Ice cube trays	Freezing makes plastic leak
Food packaging	Chemicals sneak into your snacks
Dust bunnies	Full of plastic fibers from clothes
Toiletries	Often packed with tiny plastic beads

And that plastic cutting board? It could be dumping MILLIONS of microplastics onto your food. Not appetizing, right?

Can you rid your body of microplastics?

Getting ALL the microplastics out of your body? That’s tough. But you can definitely cut down on how many you’re taking in:

Filter your water
Ditch plastic containers for glass or metal
Cut back on processed junk food
Vacuum and dust like you mean it
Rock natural fiber clothes

"Getting rid of microplastics isn’t a one-and-done deal. It’s about constantly working to limit exposure and living healthy." – Melanie Murphy Richter, Prolon’s communications guru