How Plastic is Contaminating our Food

The significant growth in plastic production has led to a major environmental issue with microplastics (MPs) and even smaller nanoplastics (NPs), posing a threat to both sea and land-based life forms. These tiny plastics contain chemicals and other harmful compounds that interfere with the normal functioning of hormones in our body.

How does plastic affect our hormones?

In humans, MPs and NPs can negatively impact hormone related organs such as the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, adrenal glands, testicles, and ovaries. Moreover, these particles act as sponges that carry harmful chemicals, including bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybrominated diphenyl ether, polychlorinated biphenyl ether, organotin, perfluorinated compounds, dioxins, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, organic contaminants, and heavy metals, commonly used in plastic manufacturing as additives.

The presence of chemicals in plastic means they can seep into liquids like milk and water, as well as food, leading to hormone issues in glands like the thyroid, adrenal, testicles, and ovaries¹. Some of the consequences of such contamination include oxidative stress, infertility, nervous system damage, toxicity of our cells, abnormal development in children, reduced sperm quality, harm to the immune system and cancer².

For example, PET, commonly used on takeaway plastic containers, plastic water bottles, and soft drink bottles, has chemicals that mimic oestrogen in the body, also called oestrogenic activity. High levels of oestrogenic activity in the body may cause early start of menstruation in adolescents, weight gain, mood swings, pre-menstrual tension, infertility in both men and women as well as increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer such as ovarian, breast and prostate^3,4. BPA, which was brought to public attention for releasing harmful chemicals into drinks and food is now largely avoided, and plastic manufacturers often advertise their products as BPA-free. However, a study that analysed BPA-free bottles, including baby bottles found that drinks were often more contaminated by other chemicals than BPA containing bottles⁴.

How does plastic get into our bodies?

Plastic often ends up in landfills, which in turn travels through the land carried by the rain, sea and rivers, contaminating food crops and the water we drink. In addition, fish eat microplastics, hence if we eat fish, we can indirectly eat microplastics. Eight different types of microplastic have been found in human faeces samples across different countries, confirming the plastic contamination in the food supply⁵.

Plastic bottles and containers directly release chemicals into our food. The chemical contamination is worsened when plastic is heated⁶.

How can I limit exposure to plastic chemical contamination?

Although it is virtually impossible to avoid exposure to plastic toxicity in modern life, there are a few steps we can take to reduce direct food contamination with these toxic materials. Here are some examples of how:

1. Limit consumption of takeaway foods as hot foods placed in plastic containers release toxic particles into the food.
2. Limit consumption of takeaway coffee or take a stainless-steel flask to the coffee shop and ask the barista to use it. Some have silicon lids, which make for a completely plastic-free flask.
3. Avoid drinking water and soft drinks from plastic bottles.
4. Use a water filter. Choose one made of glass or stainless steel where possible. Although some parts of the filter may still be made of plastic, this is a far better alternative to plastic bottles. If you can, have a water filtering system installed in your taps as this completely erases plastic contact with water.
5. Store food in glass containers instead of plastic ones.
6. Never heat up food in a plastic container in the microwave. Instead, use a plate or glass container, or preferably a pan and hob method.
7. Avoid wrapping food with cling film and choose glass containers to store foods instead. If you must use clingfilm, avoid direct contact with the food, for example, instead of wrapping up half an onion entirely in cling film, place it in a bowl and cover it with film.
8. Avoid giving plastic toys to toddlers, especially when teething. As they bite into plastic toys, chemical substances get released and that is particularly unhealthy for small children.
9. Where possible, use glass bottles with silicon lids for babies and if you use plastic bottles, avoid using the microwave to warm up milk and dishwasher to wash it.

Lastly, bear in mind that we can’t completely eliminate plastic toxicity, however, making the best choice possible helps decrease the absorption of toxins in our bodies, curbing their compounding effects. It’s about making the best choice we have at hand.

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References:

1. Ullah, S., Ahmad, S., Guo, X., Ullah, S., Ullah, S., Nabi, G., & Wanghe, K. (2023). A review of the endocrine disrupting effects of micro and nano plastic and their associated chemicals in mammals. Frontiers in endocrinology, 13, 1084236. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2022.1084236
2. Whitt, M., Brown, W., Danes, J. E., & Vorst, K. L. (2016). Migration of heavy metals from recycled polyethylene terephthalate during storage and microwave heating. Journal of Plastic Film & Sheeting, 32(2), 189-207.
3. Patisaul, H. B., Todd, K. L., Mickens, J. A., & Adewale, H. B. (2009). Impact of neonatal exposure to the ERalpha agonist PPT, bisphenol-A or phytoestrogens on hypothalamic kisspeptin fiber density in male and female rats. Neurotoxicology, 30(3), 350–357. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuro.2009.02.010
4. Yang, C. Z., Yaniger, S. I., Jordan, V. C., Klein, D. J., & Bittner, G. D. (2011). Most plastic products release estrogenic chemicals: a potential health problem that can be solved. Environmental health perspectives, 119(7), 989–996. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1003220
5. Schwabl, P., Köppel, S., Königshofer, P., Bucsics, T., Trauner, M., Reiberger, T., & Liebmann, B. (2019). Detection of various microplastics in human stool: a prospective case series. Annals of internal medicine, 171(7), 453-457.
6. Brede, C., Fjeldal, P., Skjevrak, I., & Herikstad, H. (2003). Increased migration levels of bisphenol A from polycarbonate baby bottles after dishwashing, boiling and brushing. Food additives and contaminants, 20(7), 684–689. https://doi.org/10.1080/0265203031000119061