4 ms·

Many comments accurately point out that causation is not yet established. Nonetheless, having plastic inside my body really seems bad. Is there anything I can d

Many comments accurately point out that causation is not yet established. Nonetheless, having plastic inside my body really seems bad. Is there anything I can do to reduce that? My guesses: 1. Avoid fast food 2. Don’t use plastic water bottles and food packaging 3. Store leftovers in glass 4. Eat less canned food (?) Do any of those seem wrong? Any others to add?

GaryNumanVevo 3y ago
None of the above. The majority of microplastics come from tap water via car tire dust [0]. Reducing time spent driving, especially cycling near roads. Plastic water bottles and other food packaging aren't shedding microplastics nearly as much. Although reducing single use plastic is good for environmental reasons generally. [0] - https://e360.yale.edu/features/tire-pollution-toxic-chemicals https://e360.yale.edu/features/tire-pollution-toxic-chemical...
Lord_Zero 3y ago
Barely anything you do will make a difference. Nearly everything you eat is transported or packaged in plastic. Your water pipes in your house might be PEX plastic. Its probably floating through the air and were breathing it right now.
- pinkmuffinere 3y ago
  In some ways it’s a relief if there’s little I can do to change that. Plus, I expect avoiding plastic is a micro optimization compared to eg eating healthier, keeping active, and so on.
  - jwally 3y ago
    100% this. I can't imagine anyone is going to recommend consuming more micro plastics; but as far as how to improve your overall wellbeing this is probably 15 or 16 on the list. Most people would be better off focusing on getting control of their diet, exercise, sleep, and stress before fretting over this - imho; not a doctor.
ninininino 3y ago
You are breathing in plastic just as much as you are eating it. Your washer and dryer - ensure your dryer is able to capture the lint it creates and your dryer ventilation is ducted somewhere you aren't breathing, not just venting into your household. Get a high quality air purifier with a high CADR rate and a decent filter, make sure when you clean the prefilter you aren't just breathing all the dust you create doing so. Use natural fibers rather than synthetic in clothing, bedding, bags, etc and when you do use synthetic be mindful of differences in various textiles and how easily and how much they shed. Use a water filter in your water bottle like a Sawyer filter, Katadyn filter, or Epic water filter. Stay away from any places that automobiles drive. The tires are partially plastic and wear away onto the road and into the air. Perhaps consider starting a grassroots campaign a la the French Revolution targeted at the worst polluters, make sure you follow the French Revolution's playbook closely and don't miss any of the important aspects.

GaryNumanVevo 3y ago

None of the above. The majority of microplastics come from tap water via car tire dust [0]. Reducing time spent driving, especially cycling near roads. Plastic water bottles and other food packaging aren't shedding microplastics nearly as much. Although reducing single use plastic is good for environmental reasons generally. [0] - https://e360.yale.edu/features/tire-pollution-toxic-chemicals https://e360.yale.edu/features/tire-pollution-toxic-chemical...

Lord_Zero 3y ago

Barely anything you do will make a difference. Nearly everything you eat is transported or packaged in plastic. Your water pipes in your house might be PEX plastic. Its probably floating through the air and were breathing it right now.

pinkmuffinere 3y ago
In some ways it’s a relief if there’s little I can do to change that. Plus, I expect avoiding plastic is a micro optimization compared to eg eating healthier, keeping active, and so on.
- jwally 3y ago
  100% this. I can't imagine anyone is going to recommend consuming more micro plastics; but as far as how to improve your overall wellbeing this is probably 15 or 16 on the list. Most people would be better off focusing on getting control of their diet, exercise, sleep, and stress before fretting over this - imho; not a doctor.

ninininino 3y ago

You are breathing in plastic just as much as you are eating it. Your washer and dryer - ensure your dryer is able to capture the lint it creates and your dryer ventilation is ducted somewhere you aren't breathing, not just venting into your household. Get a high quality air purifier with a high CADR rate and a decent filter, make sure when you clean the prefilter you aren't just breathing all the dust you create doing so. Use natural fibers rather than synthetic in clothing, bedding, bags, etc and when you do use synthetic be mindful of differences in various textiles and how easily and how much they shed. Use a water filter in your water bottle like a Sawyer filter, Katadyn filter, or Epic water filter. Stay away from any places that automobiles drive. The tires are partially plastic and wear away onto the road and into the air. Perhaps consider starting a grassroots campaign a la the French Revolution targeted at the worst polluters, make sure you follow the French Revolution's playbook closely and don't miss any of the important aspects.