It’s highly likely that you have one or more of these in your house.
However, because key kitchen goods are increasingly linked to cancer, a specialist is advising people to discard them.
More and more studies reveal that microplastics, which are tiny substances released by bigger plastic objects, enter our bloodstream, build up in our organs, and do irreversible harm.
They have been connected to heart disease, dementia, and a number of malignancies. They also contaminate the food we consume, the water we drink, and the air we breathe.
Many of the things that are causing this chain reaction of health problems may be found in your kitchen, according to Dr. Joseph Mercola, a family medicine osteopathic physician and author of Your Guide to Cellular Health, who spoke to DailyMail.com.
He said: “Many common kitchen items that you use every day either contain or release microplastics during food preparation and consumption.”
First, Dr. Mercola mentioned the obvious: plastic utensils and non-stick cookware. They pose a risk because they come into close touch with the food we eat and because heat accelerates their deterioration.
It has been demonstrated that the most harmful compounds are found in black plastic cutlery.
However, Dr. Mercola lists additional necessities such as Tupperware, plastic cutting boards, coffee and tea pods, and salt and pepper grinders.
To prevent hormone-disrupting microplastics from contaminating meat and vegetables, he suggests switching to a wooden chopping board.
Additionally, he advises consumers to use loose spices and grinds to reduce the amount of plastic that coffee makers and grinders use.
Dr Mercola said: “Microplastics represent a significant long-term danger to your health because they contain endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). “
“These chemicals mimic estrogen and have been linked to infertility and hormone-driven cancers.”
“Research suggests that, once you ingest or inhale microplastics, they can accumulate in your tissues producing chronic inflammation and an elevated risk of heart attacks and strokes.’”
The reproductive issue in America has been attributed in part to the increased incidence of EDCs.
Phthalates, which are added to plastics like food storage containers to make them malleable and soft, are mostly responsible for this.
For instance, a study published in the journal Toxicological Sciences discovered that female mice exposed to the same phthalate combinations observed in pregnant people during pregnancy developed infertility at birth, which they then transferred to their female progeny.
According to more studies, women who have greater urine phthalate levels may have a lower chance of becoming pregnant and a higher chance of losing their pregnancy before 20 weeks of gestation.
Higher urine phthalate levels were also linked to a 32 percent higher risk of breast hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, according to a study published in the journal Breast Cancer Research.
According to a Polish study, males who were exposed to phthalates had poorer sperm counts and quality, which decreased their chances of getting pregnant.
Dr. Mercola advises moving to glass storage containers, which are non-porous and stop chemicals from leaking into food, to reduce exposure to phthalates.
Additionally, Dr. Mercola mentioned Teflon-coated non-stick pots and pans.
Teflon, also referred to as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), is used to prevent food from sticking to the surface and to resist oil and water.
Although perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a chemical that was originally used to make Teflon, has been the subject of certain investigations, Teflon itself is not thought to be carcinogenic.
Because it doesn’t decompose in the environment, PFOA is referred to as a “forever chemical” or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS).
PFAS have been linked to higher risks of excessive cholesterol, thyroid problems, and cancer.
Dr Mercola said: “You could replace nonstick cookware with ceramic or stainless-steel pots and pans.”
He added that harmful substances can even find their way into your coffee or tea in the morning.
For instance, polypropylene #5, a synthetic polymer generated from the fossil fuel petroleum, is used to make Keurig K-Cups.
Despite being one of the safest microplastics, polypropylene #5 may cause asthma if exposed to excessive amounts, according to some research.
According to Dr. Mercola, some tea bags have also been found to contain harmful polymers.
According to a 2024 study published in the journal Chemosphere, every milliter of tea produced with a bag made of polypropylene #5 emitted 1.2 billion bits of plastic.
Instead of utilizing pods or tea bags, Dr. Mercola advised using loose coffee grounds or loose leaf tea if you need a caffeine boost in the morning.
Additionally, Dr. Mercola is considering eliminating spices that come with built-in grinders.
He said: “Spice grinders made of polymers like POM (polyoxymethylene), PS (polystyrene), and PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) have been shown to deposit microplastic particles into the ground spices, with POM-based grinders resulting in the highest contamination levels.”
POM has been connected to respiratory problems when heated to high temperatures.
Dr. Mercola advises purchasing spices that are kept in glass containers without integrated plastic grinders.
