The New York Times - How to avoid eating microplastics

Microplastics are everywhere. Here’s how to avoid eating them.

Close-up of small pieces of plastic of various colors on a person's fingers.

Photo: iStock/Khanchit Khirisutchalual

Unfortunately, microplastics and nanoplastics are so pervasive that they’re nearly impossible to avoid entirely. These teeny tiny pieces of plastic have been found in everything from drinking water to broccoli, and recent studies have linked these pollutants with a host of health issues.

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To find out how to reduce the amount of tiny plastics (and their chemicals) that you might ingest, we spoke with three doctors and a research scientist. Their advice? Start by focusing on exposures from water, food, and air. We’ll walk you through some of the gear you need to do that below.

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How to limit your exposure to microplastics→

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Start here

A light green Hydro Flask 21oz Standard Mouth.

Use a reusable water bottle

The simplest thing you can do to reduce the ingestion of microplastics is cut back on bottled water. We recommend carrying a reusable steel bottle when out and about.

The Pyrex Simply Store 18-Piece Set, our pick for best glass food storage container.

Don’t microwave—or store—your food in plastic

Consider ceramic or glass instead. We like this durable, stackable set.

Use a powerful vacuum to clean your air

Regularly cleaning with a bagged, sealed-system vacuum can reduce airborne dust in your home and your exposure to inhaled microplastics.

Plus: How to test your water

The Tap Score water testing kit next to a water testing guide.

Photo: Michael Murtaugh

If you’re concerned about your home’s water quality more generally, a test kit can help you better understand what’s in your tap water and identify any problems. After testing 11 test kits, we found a few standouts, including one designed specifically for PFAS.

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The best water quality test kits→

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The New York Times - How to avoid eating microplastics

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