The plastic is everywhere in our lives. It is the main ingredient, which contains almost all the objects on the planet. From clothes, cutlery, spaceships, now and within the human body.
Research has shown that plastic is found in the blood, saliva, lungs, hair and generally in our body. This plastic is identified as microplastic, which is very small pieces of plastic (almost less than 5 mm).
Microplastic is initially produced for construction microfiberof which synthetic fabrics are made, while in the form of microspheres, it is used in cosmetology, for the manufacture of cosmetics.
However, it is also formed by detachment of pieces from plastic items, such as water bottles, packaging items, toys, etc.
This is due to the fact that, plastic is not biodegradable. It does not dissolve completely, it just shrinks and splits into smaller pieces, which continue to remain in the environment.
So how does plastic get into our bodies?
The microplastic can “travel” everywhere. It is carried away by air, water, penetrates the subsoil and “pierces” our food.
So we inhale, drink and consume plastic. The microplastic particles pass to our various organs, mainly through the gastrointestinal tract, and circulate freely in our body.
This practically means that, every day we absorb plastic, without even realizing it.
How does it affect our health?
So far, scientists are still trying to draw safe conclusions about whether our health is at stake and what the consequences will be from the penetration of plastic into us.
In other words, they try to see how our body reacts to this “invasion”. To see if it metabolizes it, if it simply absorbs it and eliminates it or if something else happens.
So far the results are discouraging. For example, research has shown that, people with Crohn’s disease and more generally, with intestinal problems, they had twice as much microplastic in their gut as those who were perfectly healthy.
Yet another thing that has been observed so far, is that plastic allows and facilitates it absorption of chemicals and toxic substancessuch as pesticides or heavy metals, from our body.
This is especially true as these substances are extremely dangerous and can cause serious health problems.
How can we stop this absorption?
Especially.
So to limit as much as we can, this penetration of plastic inside us, we can do some basic things.
1. To filter the water we drink and cook, but also the water we use in our bathroom.
2. Use glass bottles for our water or coffee and avoid plastic packaging, which leaves residues that we do not find.
3. Wear clothes made of natural materials and avoid nylon and microfibers.
4. To regularly sweep our space and choose brooms with filters.
5. To support companies that have a zero environmental footprint.
Generally.
Plastic is very difficult to get out of our lives, precisely because it is not biodegradable. So what we first have to do is reduce and even stop production and use altogether.
This must happen on an individual but also on a general level. On the one hand, we, as consumers, must act responsibly towards the environment but also towards ourselves.
Industries and businesses, on the other hand, need to stop using plastic in their products and find alternative ways that will not be so harmful and polluting to the environment.
Cotton, glass, steel, soap bars, metal water bottles are a viable option.
Change is important and necessary, not for the future of our children – let’s not look so long – but for our own. This generation must preserve the environment and itself.
With decisive and immediate steps, it may not be too late.
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