The Plastic Convenience Con: plastic toxicity, exposure and human health

Plastic has made its way into our lives – and now into our bodies – under the guise of ‘convenience’. But is plastic a convenience worth paying for with our health?

Walk down the aisle of a supermarket and it’s near impossible to find something that’s not wrapped in plastic. It’s everywhere, but do we really know what it’s doing to us?

There are over 16,000 plastic associated chemicals (PACs) used in the production of plastic and the majority of these have not been studied in the context of human health. PACs have now shown to be linked to many conditions including cancer, obesity, Alzheimer’s disease, fertility issues and autism.

The most comprehensive clinical trial on plastic exposure and human health is being undertaken right now in Perth, Western Australia. The trial is called The PERTH Trial (Plastic Exposure Reduction Transforms Health). This world-class team of researchers and clinicians are experts on plastics in the human body.

Here, three of the trial’s key figures – Prof Michaela Lucas, Dr Andrew Lucas and Dr Amelia Harray – answer 5 of your most common questions around everyday plastic usage.

What can I do right now to reduce plastic exposure for myself and my kids?

Q1: Is it safe to drink water from single use plastic bottles, or drink from juice boxes?

Answer: While the water at the source might be safe to drink it’s certainly not free of chemicals. Plastic associated chemicals (PACs) leach out of plastic packaging over time. After bottling in the factory, water can sit in plastic vessels for months or even years. Leaching rates increase with heating or prolonged environmental exposure (such as leaving a bottle of water in the car for months on end). By the time you drink it, the water quality may be compromised.

The same goes for juice boxes and tetra packs of any kind. They are all lined with plastics, usually come with a plastic straw, and contain an unknown number of PACs.

What should I do instead?

Use a water glass when you are at home or in the office. When on the go, or on site, choose a stainless-steel/metal or glass bottle and refill it from the tap. If you really love spring water or mineral water, then look for locally-bottled brands that are sold in glass bottles.

Q2: Can I drink from a single-use coffee cup? It says it’s made from plants!

Answer: Even paper cups lined with so-called plant-based material (like corn starch) contain PACs to hold the substance together. There is no legal requirement for this information to be listed on the packaging, and manufacturers may not even know which chemicals it contains. Previous research studies have shown that an average of 25,000 microplastic particles leach into hot water within 15 minutes (per 100 ml cup), making that quick cup of takeaway coffee a health risk.

What should I do instead?

Sit in-store and drink from a glass or ceramic cup, or byo ceramic mug, or stainless steel insulated cup (remove the plastic lid when you sip). Encourage your local café to start a mug library with second-hand ceramic mugs. If you forget your reusable, you can borrow a mug and bring it back clean the next time you visit.

Q3: Can I microwave my food and drinks in plastic containers? It says ‘microwave safe’!

Answer: Microwaving food is one of the most common ways to increases your plastic chemical exposure. As the plastic heats up it releases unknown amounts of chemical compounds into the food.

What should I do instead?

When heating food in the microwave use a ceramic or heat-proof glass container with a ceramic plate on top. If you need to store food in a plastic container in the fridge, line it with a paper towel or aluminium foil to create a barrier between your food and the plastic.

Q4: Can I buy polyester, nylon or acrylic clothes, bedding or toys? They’re so soft!

Answer: Synthetic fabrics like polyester are soft because of their uniform shape and structure created by chemical processes. Polyester, for example, is made of polyethene terephthalate.

Research has shown that we are inhaling microplastics throughout the day, via household dust from carpet, bedding, furnishings and clothing. Plastic particles that lodge in lung tissue cause physical damage that leads to inflammation and sets the scene for lung disease.

What should I do instead?

Fill your house and wardrobe with natural fibres such as cotton, wool, hemp and bamboo. Choose wooden toys instead of plastic ones, and soft toys that are covered in natural materials.

Q5: Can I cook with plastic utensils or mixing bowls and wash them in the dishwasher?

Answer: Black plastic-coated cooking utensils lose plastic at an alarming rate when used in cooking, due to the plastic literally melting into your food. Non-stick surfaces also contain harmful chemicals that leach over time. The reason non-stick pans eventually lose their ‘non-stickiness’ is because all that coating has vanished into your food!

What should I do instead?

Replace plastic cooking utensils (spatulas, spoons, mashers etc), mixing bowls and non-stick pans with non-plastic options like stainless steel. Don’t add plastic to the dishwasher, wash it by hand instead.

Read more about the PERTH trial here
Learn more about how to reduce reliance on plastic, and reduce plastic waste