Drowning in a Sea of Plastic
April 2, 2024, by Victoria Motazedi, PEP, and Robert T. Motazedi, MD
Recent studies have shown that there is an absolute link between the chemicals found in plastic and a multitude of diseases. Plastic containers, plastic wraps, plastic utensils, and even the plastics found in synthetic clothing like rayon, nylon, polyester, spandex, and many others are created from polymers which are classified as plastics. Plastics give off micro and nanoparticles into substances that encounter them or can also disperse into the air when a plastic material is agitated. Some of these particles are so small that they pass through our gastrointestinal tracts and lungs, enter our blood, and travel into our internal organs. Some are even crossing the blood-brain barrier. Plastic particles are even able to cross the placental barrier and can affect the fetus in some nasty ways.
How bad is it? A new study published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in 2024 reports that there are over 240,000 detectable plastic fragments in one liter of some of the most popular brands of bottled water. Not only do nanoplastic particles enter the water when they come into contact with the plastic container, but every time the bottle flexes and pops, thousands more plastic particles are transferred into the liquid. Now think about how most of our food supply is encased in plastic. Take a trip to your local grocery store including health food stores like Whole Foods and see how much of the food we consume is draped in plastic. Meat and fish come sealed in plastic. Most of the fruits and vegetables we purchase come in plastic containers or bags. Condiments like mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, etc., come in plastic bottles. Milk, cream, cottage cheese, and most dairy products are placed in plastic containers. Frozen foods are encased in plastic bags, cardboard lined in plastic, or come on plastic trays. Even cereals that come in cardboard boxes are placed inside plastic bags.
Are BPA-free plastic containers safe? The answer is no. BPA-free products still contain many chemicals like phthalates, bisphenols, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), and forever chemicals like PFAS, which are known endocrine disrupters (EDCs). These EDCs affect our entire bodies and can cause negative changes in our pituitary, adrenal glands, thyroid, sexual organs, digestive tracks, and brains. Phthalates and bisphenols can disrupt our hormones including estrogen and testosterone. They have the potential to cause birth defects, infertility, diabetes, depression and anxiety, obesity, cancer, and more. In January 2024, Consumer Reports tested 85 supermarket foods and found that 84 out of 85 contained phthalates, a known endocrine disrupter. According to their study, these nasty chemicals are found in common grocery products we all consume like Yoplait yogurt, Cheerios, bottled water, and fast food items from sources like McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Chipotle.
What about organic food? They’re safe, right? Possibly not, when they are exposed to plastic during the preparation process or are encased in plastic containers, organic becomes a moot point. In the Consumer Reports article, the highest amount of this nasty chemical was found in Annie’s Organic Cheesy Ravioli. The only product that contained zero phthalates was Polar Raspberry Lime Seltzer. Yikes!
Diseases that have been linked to the chemicals in plastics:
| Obesity | Erectile Dysfunction |
| Diabetes | Low Testosterone |
| Thyroid Disorders | Infertility |
| Cancers | Endometriosis |
| Tumors | Polycystic Ovary Syndrome |
| Birth Defects | Liver/Kidney Disease |
| Low IQ | Dementia |
| ADHD | Digestive Problems |
The chemicals in the production of plastics have been proven to contribute to disease processes and disabilities. An article published by the Journal of the Endocrine Society in February of 2024, tried to put a figure on the attributable disease burden caused by plastics and the costs they incur in the United States. They estimate that diseases attributable to EDCs are responsible for around $249 billion dollars of healthcare costs in 2018. The social costs and the disabilities that plastics can cause could be as high as $400 billion annually. The article went on to list several medical issues that they felt were associated with plastic use. Babies/children were listed as having lower IQs and decreased intellectual capabilities. Women have exhibited conditions like hypothyroidism, obesity, diabetes, endometriosis, breast cancer, and fertility problems. Males also have been showing signs of reduced sperm count, infertility, obesity, diabetes, and testicular cancers. The list of diseases caused by plastics is attributable to the production of plastic and its consumption. Plastic poisoning begins in utero and continues throughout one’s life.
So, is there anything one can do to escape the ocean of plastic we are living in? Absolutely yes, you can limit your exposure to plastics. Total elimination may not be possible, but you are in control of your exposure by choosing your food and drink containers carefully. Many household products like detergent are available in washable sheets stored in cardboard containers. Instead of using hand soap in plastic dispensers switch to bar soap. Glass and stainless-steel food containers are available in all sorts of different configurations. Dump your drip coffee maker and get a traditional electric stainless steel coffee percolator. Use bee’s wax-covered fabric instead of plastic wrap to cover containers.
Americans are waking up to the toxic effects of plastics and over time new products will replace the plastics that surround us, but until that happens it is up to all of us to make better choices for ourselves and our families.