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When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more> 1. Sustainability Microplastics Are Everywhere. Here's How to Avoid Eating Them. Published May 31, 2024 [ ] Save Photo: iStock/Khanchit Khirisutchalual Katie Okamoto By Katie Okamoto Katie Okamoto is an editor focused on the environment. She has covered the intersection of products and sustainability for more than a decade. Microplastics and nanoplastics are everywhere. The teeny tiny pieces of plastic have been found in everything from drinking water to chicken nuggets, apples, and broccoli. Recent studies have linked these pollutants to heart disease, lung disorders, and more worrying health issues. But unfortunately, microplastics are now so pervasive that they're nearly impossible to avoid. If you're concerned about the health effects linked to microplastics, the experts I spoke with said that you can lower your risk by taking care of your general health: getting plenty of sleep and exercise, eating a balanced diet, lowering stress, and seeking preventative care. Still, it's probably a good idea to lower your exposure to microplastics even if you can't avoid them completely. Although you can cut back your exposure in as many ways as there are sources of plastic, the experts I spoke with recommended focusing on exposures from water, food, and air. I talked to three doctors and a research scientist for tips on how to reduce the amount of tiny plastics and their chemicals that you (or your kids) might ingest. Here's what they recommend. Back to top 1. Cut back on bottled water Bottled water is a significant source of microplastics. In fact, it's the most concentrated source, according to a study from 2019. Researchers believe that bottled water contains many more microplastics than tap. The evidence is mounting: A study published in 2024 suggests that the typical plastic bottle of water contains two to three times the plastic than previously thought. Drinking bottled water in a pinch isn't the end of the world, but for a daily habit, try carrying a reusable steel or glass bottle or tumbler when out and about. 2. Get an NSF-certified water filter Switching to tap water from plastic bottled water will likely significantly reduce your routine exposure to plastics. But while the average plastic water bottle contains more microplastics and nanoplastics than tap, research shows that tap water may also be a source of microplastics. Several of our water filter picks are specifically National Science Foundation/American National Standards Institute-certified to reduce microplastics, which means they've been rigorously tested in an accredited lab. They're certified only to reduce since the filters cannot guarantee total elimination. Our picks include under-sink filters, such as the Aquasana AQ-5200, and the Brita Elite, a pitcher filter. Our pick Aquasana AQ-5200 Exceptional, affordable under-sink filtration Certified for the most contaminants, widely available, affordable, and compact. Buying Options $125 from Amazon $125 from Aquasana $100 + FS w/code AQWC50 Brita Elite Filter Ace filtration, long lifespan This 10-cup, user-friendly model is rated to last six months between replacements. Buying Options $35 from Amazon (pack of two) Yes, it's ironic that most NSF/ANSI-certified water filters contain plastic. But any microplastic shedding from using the plastic filter is likely to be minimal, as long as you avoid running hot water through the filter and store your water in the fridge, since heat accelerates plastic degradation. Research suggests that boiling tap water, cooling it, and then filtering it may be especially effective at reducing microplastics, although it's less practical for most people than simply using a filter. 3. Don't use plastic to store food Plastic food storage and packaging is so common that it's difficult to avoid entirely. But your safest bet is to avoid storing food or liquid in plastic when possible and to minimize exposing any plastic (even those that say they're BPA-free or microwave-safe) to high heat. Sunlight, acids, and physical erosion can also degrade plastic. 4. Don't reuse single-use plastics for food and drinks It's great to reuse single-use plastic--just not for food. Unless you're using the plastic in the freezer, save it for something that isn't food storage or reheating, said Dr. Gillian Goddard, an endocrinologist and author at ParentData, a science-based online resource for parents. That means don't reuse plastic takeout containers, breastmilk bags, or drink bottles. 5. Don't microwave in plastic Avoid microwaving or heating food or water in plastic--even if it says it's microwave-safe, said Tracey Woodruff, director of the Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment at University of California San Francisco. Instead, consider glass or ceramic. The Pyrex Simply Store 18-Piece Set is our pick for the best food storage containers, and they survived our drop tests, stack neatly, and come with user-friendly lids (although you may not want to microwave the plastic lids). Our runner-up, the leakproof Glasslock 18-Piece Container Set, is another great option. Our pick Pyrex Simply Store 18-Piece Set The best glass container set The Pyrex Simply Store containers stack neatly and are made from durable tempered glass. The colorful lids make it easier to match their shape to the corresponding container, though you may need to replace them over time. Buying Options $42 from Amazon $42 from Home Depot Runner-up Glasslock 18-Piece Container Set The best leakproof glass container set The Glasslock containers have locking lids that will prevent leaks. But these lids also put stress on the lips of the containers, so the glass may be prone to chipping over time. Buying Options $55 from Amazon $55 from Wayfair 6. Wash plastic by hand Dishwasher temperatures run very hot and can degrade plastic--even dishwasher-safe plastic--and lead to microplastic shedding. Try to wash your plastic food containers by hand. 7. Use wood or bamboo cutting boards Some research suggests that plastic cutting boards can be a significant source of microplastics in your diet, since repeated cutting on their surface can dislodge particles that adhere to food. Wood cutting boards also have some other advantages: They're better for your knife blades and last longer than plastic when properly maintained. Our pick Teakhaus Medium Professional Carving Board with Juice Canal 109 The best wood cutting board This beautiful teak board requires more careful cleaning than a plastic board, but it feels better under a knife and is easier to maintain than the other wood boards we tested. Buying Options $122 from Amazon $139 from Food52 Our cutting board pick, the Teakhaus Medium Professional Carving Board with Juice Canal 109, is made from sustainably harvested teak. If you still prefer plastic for certain uses, use it sparingly and replace it after heavy scarring. 8. Clean your air The air we breathe is also a potential source of microplastics, in the form of dust. Reducing airborne dust in your home, then, may reduce your exposure to inhaled microplastics. Our pick SEBO Airbelt K3 Premium The best canister vacuum This bagged canister vacuum excels on both bare floors and carpets, and has many adjustment options and useful attachments. It should last for the long haul. Buying Options $849 from Amazon 7-Year Standard Warranty $899 from SEBO 10-Year Extended Warranty That means doing boring stuff, like vacuuming regularly with a bagged, sealed-system vacuum that has a HEPA or S-class filter and mopping and wiping down surfaces with a damp sponge or cloth (since dusting kicks those tiny particles back up into the air). Our pick Coway Airmega AP-1512HH Mighty Exceptional, efficient, affordable Perfect for bedrooms, playrooms, and living rooms, this air purifier is one of the highest-performing, most-durable, and most-economical models we've tested. Buying Options $178 from Amazon (white) $229 from Amazon (black) You should also take care of seasonal chores like cleaning fans and AC unit filters and changing HVAC filters, and consider getting an air purifier if you live near a busy road. Take special steps for infants and young children Infants may be exposed to microplastics and nanoplastics in much higher concentrations than adults. Research shows that this exposure may be cause for concern, particularly at critical stages of early development. But much like health risks to adults, it's important to think of microplastics exposure as just one piece of a child's overall health. "I emphasize that before putting much energy and resources into minimizing unknown risks, it is worth attending to reducing the risks we know about," said Dr. Carlos Lerner, a pediatrician and professor of clinical pediatrics at UCLA Health. He cited following safe sleep recommendations for infants, avoiding secondhand smoke, and practicing good nutrition as examples. If you want to take a more precautionary approach, avoid using plastic to warm formula or breastmilk. This is the main point of advice from the experts I spoke with, as well as the Cleveland Clinic . 1. Avoid microwaving or heating formula in plastic Recent evidence shows that polypropylene-bottle-fed babies may swallow very high levels of tiny plastics due to the high temperatures used to sterilize bottles and prepare formula, as well as shaking the bottles to mix. If you want to feed your baby warmed formula and use plastic bottles, consider premixing the formula in a glass container, then cooling it down before transferring it to the feeding bottle. 2. Rinse heat-sterilized plastic bottles before adding formula or breastmilk If you use heat to sterilize plastic bottles, leave them to cool then rinse them several times before filling them with formula or breastmilk, Lerner suggested. 3. Consider glass or silicone over plastic bottles If you prefer to heat formula in a microwave, consider a glass or silicone bottle. The Philips Avent Glass Natural Response Baby Bottle is our recommendation for the best glass baby bottle. Philips Avent Glass Natural Response Baby Bottle Our favorite glass bottles With only three pieces and a large, easy-to-screw-on collar, this glass bottle is simple to use and didn't leak in our test. But the very wide nipple may not work well for all babies. Buying Options $13 from Amazon 4. Wash hands before eating For young kids who eat with their hands, try to establish a habit of handwashing before eating, said Woodruff. While handwashing is not always possible, it can help reduce exposure from touching microplastics in dust and soil (and maybe, just maybe, stem the tide of germs). How worried should you be about microplastics? Scientists are still studying the exact connections between these teeny tiny pieces of plastic and human health. But it's clear that exposure to plastic--whether it's those tiny particles, the chemicals they leach, or a combination--is being linked to a variety of worrying health issues. Some of those connections still require more research, such as ties to colon cancer, respiratory disease, metabolic function, and disruption to endocrine systems, while others--like a recent study that found those with levels of plastics in their arteries were at a higher risk for heart attacks, strokes, and death--seem a little more clear. It's important to remember that these links point to concerns about the impact of microplastics on public health, but they are not specific, predictable outcomes. "What I'm thinking about is population risk, not a risk to a specific individual," said Goddard. The tricky thing is that microplastics and nanoplastics are impossible to avoid, no matter how diligent you are: They're in the air we breathe, our drinking water, and our food. But scientists aren't sure what levels of microplastics and nanoplastics we're each taking in from those sources. The oft-cited estimate that the average person eats a credit card's worth of plastic every week has been called into question. But our bodies are certainly taking in plastic, and that's more than nature intended. Given the growing body of evidence, it's possible that we'll start to see more public health measures that address microplastic pollution. Until then, taking care of your overall health is the first line of defense, followed by taking reasonable steps to reduce microplastic exposure. This article was edited by Christine Cyr Clisset and Ben Frumin. Sources 1. Tracey Woodruff, director of the Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment at UCSF, phone interview, April 25, 2024 2. Gillian Goddard, MD, endocrinologist and adjunct assistant professor at NYU Langone Hospital and author of "Hot Flash" newsletter from ParentData, phone interview, April 26, 2024 3. Carlos Lerner, MD, pediatrician at the Children's Health Center at UCLA and professor and Jack H. Skirball endowed chair in Pediatrics at UCLA, email interview, April 26, 2024 4. Hayley Goldbach, MD, board-certified physician and dermatologic surgeon at Brown University, email interview, April 29, 2024 Meet your guide [okamoto-katie] Katie Okamoto Katie Okamoto is a writer and the editor of sustainability coverage at Wirecutter. She has been covering food and design products and their intersections with environment and health issues for more than a decade. Katie has also worked in design and sustainability, and she holds a bachelor's in environmental studies, a master's in architecture, and a professional certificate in life cycle assessment. Mentioned above * With eight different picks, we've found water bottles suited for everyone from gym rats to frequent travelers. The 8 Best Water Bottles * The affordable, leak-resistant Simple Modern Classic Tumbler keeps drinks cold (or warm) for hours, and it comes with both a straw lid and a flip-top lid. The Best Tumbler * After more than 30 hours researching hundreds of models, we've found the best under-sink water filtration systems for most people. Here's what we recommend. The Best Under-Sink Water Filter * Water filters and pitchers are the simplest, most affordable way to get reliable filtered water at home. The Best Water Filter Pitcher and Dispenser * Most plastic isn't actually recycled. These 12 tips can help you reduce your overall plastic use--and make a difference in the global plastic pollution problem. 12 Ways to Break Up With Single-Use Plastics * After years of using and abusing food-storage containers, we recommend the glass Pyrex Simply Store 18-Piece Set and the Snapware Total Solution 20-Piece Set. The Best Food Storage Containers Further reading * Two bowls of fruit with silicone wraps on top, next to two glass containers of beans. Silicone Kitchen Gear Isn't As Sustainable As Many People Think. Try These Solutions Instead. by Katie Okamoto We share how to get the most out of silicone items you may already own, and we recommend swaps you should consider instead of buying new tools and gadgets. * reusablekitchen-2x1-4259 The Best Reusable Produce Bags, Beeswax Wraps, and Other Ways to Reduce Plastic Waste by Anna Perling Our favorite alternatives to plastic or disposable food storage include silicone food-storage bags, beeswax wraps, and cloth produce bags. * Several pieces of paper hanging from clothespins on a clothesline. Laundry Detergent Sheets Are Poor Cleaners. And Their Sustainability Claims Are Debatable. by Andrea Barnes Laundry detergent sheets claim to be a more-sustainable option than traditional liquid, powder, or pod detergents. Unfortunately, they don't clean well. * A person's hand pulling out a freezer bag of frozen corn from a freezer. Expert Tips for Freezing Food and Reducing Food Waste by Anna Perling and Katie Okamoto We have the best freezer containers, plus expert advice on saving money and reducing waste by getting the most from your freezer. Edit Wirecutter Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. Whether it's finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we'll help you get it right (the first time). * About Wirecutter * Our team * Staff demographics * Jobs at Wirecutter * Contact us * How to pitch * Deals * Lists * Blog * Newsletters * Make a Plan: Moving * (c) 2024 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company * Privacy Policy * Terms of Use * Cookie Policy * Partnerships & Advertising * Licensing & Reprints * RSS Dismiss