We’ve all made some vague resolution to decrease our plastic use. We tote around our Stanley, Yeti, Hydroflask, and Owala water bottles to cut down on plastic to help the planet. By doing this, we may not just be helping the earth.
Evidence is showing that decreasing plastic use is not only important for the health of the planet, but also for our own health. Plastic is one of the most widely used substances. Plastic has frequently replaced wood, glass, and metal and single-use plastics are now considered essential.
Hospitals use disposable plastic supplies, so nothing is shared between patients. Grocery stores use plastic storage to keep food items separate and fresh. Builders use plastic to construct various valves, pipes, and insulation.
Plastic is everywhere. Research is showing that microplastics can be dangerous to our health. Microplastics are synthetic materials less than 5mm in diameter that are not able to break down.
Primary microplastics are purposely made this size- often for use in beauty products. Secondary microplastics are formed during the breakdown of single-use plastics, such as tires, plastic bags, and beach toys. Humans are exposed to microplastics in a few ways.
The most common is by ingesting food and water that have traces of plastic in them. Microplastics end up in large bodies of water when plastic is improperly disposed of. They are consumed by fish, which is eaten by people all over the world.
Microplastics have also been found in table salt, hon.
