Ways to Avoid Ingesting Micro Plastics

By Toni Cairns Abstract Distraxtions

Ways to Avoid Ingesting Micro Plastics 


  • Filter drinking water 
  • RECYCLE ALL PLASTIC PRODUCTS CORRECTLY 
  • RECYCLE GARBAGE CORRECTLY

  • If possible filter laundry water as it leaves 

  • Try to prevent small babies and young children from placing plastic items in their mouths. If your child does this a lot look up online for more information about PICA 

  • Avoid giving babies soothers 

  • Don't chew the end of your pen! 

  • Avoid drinking from plastic cups and bottles, even most paper cups contain micro plastics

  • Don't bite on plastic bottles when drinking from them

  • Keep up to date with petitions surrounding the use of single use plastics, help us make changes

  • Check the plastic containers you are eating and drinking from are safe 

  • And which recycling code is stamped on them numbers 3, 7 and 6 are even more so damaging. It's almost impossible in 2022 to avoid plastic products altogether when doing the supermarket shopping, so aim to choose those that will recycle well or totally

  • Microwave meals, take care when removing the food from the container especially the film lid, this rarely comes off in one piece! 

  • And microwave and oven bake food in non-plastic microwaveable and suitable oven ware containers 

  • When stirring food in warm or hot saucepans do not use plastic utensils 

  • Avoid using plastic cutlery 

  • Avoid using plastic colanders and seives for draining vegetables, pasta and rice 

  • Avoid using cling film 

  • Think back to Jaws the movie when the fisherman sliced open the shark! Where did all that rubbish come from... sadly from our oceans😭😭😭
  • Recycle your garbage correctly 

  • Do not throw any items that contain plastics down the toilet or sink 

  • Do not litter!

  • Be mindful of cosmetic products, micro beads were removed from the market for safety reasons many years ago, and I'm sure over the next 20 years or so we will see many others leave the market for similar health and safety reasons

  • Micro plastics are found in dust and dirt so try to clean and vacuum regularly

  • The tumbling action of tumbler dryers increases micro plastic production, since so many modern clothes are made from synthetic fibers the better choice is to air dry laundry outdoors

  • Take care when unpackaging items and parcels, ensure not to drop small pieces where babies and young children might find them and eat them

  • When using cello tape and other tapes use scissors to cut them and do not use your teeth!  

  • Avoid plastic shopping bags and plastic bags

  • Be careful when handling glue and other types products with a gluey consistency 

  • Be sure to wash your hands regularly 

  • Supervise children well when they are playing with toys like play dough, Lego, slime, plasticine 

  • Supervise children well when they are creating arts and crafts 

  • How do you make your mashed potatoes? 

  • Beauty products like nail polish and nail files contain micro plastics 

  • Do not chew or bite your nails 

  • Do not suck your thumb 

  • Is your gum shield safe? 

  • Do not eat or chew chewing gum our bubblegum, if you do ensure it is plastic free  

  • Do not lick envelopes 

  • Rinse your vegetables and fruit before eating 

  • Rinse well meat products 

  • Be careful opening cheese products

  • Be aware near the ocean since the sea breeze is highly contaminated with micro plastics 

  • Do not sit with a cooling fan blowing directly into your face 

  • Never flush baby wipes or sanitary products 

  • Choose biodegradable and plastic free baby wipes 

  • Discourage young children from sucking, chewing or biting on their hair 

  • Consider choosing environmentally friendly and plastic free detergents for cleaning and laundry 

  • Laundry detergent pods are extremely harmful to the environment

  • Consider reusable and rewashable sanitary towels and pants, in the long run will save money too 

  • Protect yourself whenever possible from known particle pollutions, by wearing a face covering, inhaling micro plastics is known to damage lungs 

  • Buy clothes made from natural materials


Keep anything other than clean drink and food out of your mouth!


RECYCLE ALL PLASTIC PRODUCTS CORRECTLY 


RECYCLE GARBAGE CORRECTLY


By 

Toni Cairns 25th March 2022


Some more information online 

Chopping Boards

tandfonline.com article

'Plastic cutting boards as a source of microplastics in meat'


'What chopping board to buy' bbcgoodfood.com 


Chewing Gum 

'Did you know theres plastic in most chewing gum' ecowatch.com 


Micro beads 

'Are there micro plastics in your cosmetics?' green people.co.uk  


Guide to micro plastics

Guide to micro plastics 

beatthemicrobead.org 


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