Dr. Scott Wilson, a microplastics researcher at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and Macquarie University recently expressed concern. He sounds the alarm on the increasing invasion of microplastics into homes across Australia. His latest survey was of Eleanor Saxon-Mills’ house. Testing found a distressing number of microplastic fibers, making this line particularly alarming for families with young children.
Microplastics are generally considered to be plastic particles less than 5mm in size. Those early findings showed that more than 90% of the microplastics detected in Saxon-Mills’ home were fibers. This finding really underscores how pervasive these contaminants are. These discoveries have grave repercussions that extend far beyond environmental justice. In particular, Dr. Wilson argues that they have health hazards too, which are alarming and need to be addressed right away.
The Testing Process
To investigate the microplastic presence in Saxon-Mills’ home, Dr. Wilson strategically placed petri dishes around various areas, including children’s play zones. The findings were disturbing. They pumped through the highest concentration of microplastic fibers found to date, all likely coming from common household sources such as clothes, toys and even sofas.
Saxon-Mills is the mother of two young girls, Ines and Sunny. She said she was stunned when she came to understand all that was found. When I look around my home, plastic is everywhere. I can’t begin to imagine how it’s accumulating inside me, she told me. I am frankly at a loss for how to prevent it. This feeling is shared by the majority of parents, who are more worried than ever about the unknown hazards in their home.
Dr Wilson highlighted the importance of keeping a careful eye on microplastics where children play. He joined the growing chorus sounding alarms that children are uniquely vulnerable. We know that toddlers often crawl on the ground and literally suck on their hands. Especially with children and infants who frequently crawl along the ground surface, when they pick it up, they’re putting their hands to their mouths. They’ll be consuming it at a basically higher rate than adults,” he continued.
Health Risks Associated with Microplastics
Unsurprisingly, the health implications of microplastics have received a lot of focus in recent years. Dr. Wilson pointed out that plastics have in reality 13,000 to 16,000 chemicals or chemical “families” added to or part of the plastic matrix. Yet most of these have never been tested for longterm safety. A new, independent review of the scientific evidence has brought cause for alarm. Nanoplastics might interfere with nerve communication in the brain, possibly speeding up neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
In fact, during his testimony, Dr. Wilson cited an animal study that looked at the impact of microplastics on mice. “There was a study done where they put microplastic in the water supply of mice and compared that to mice that weren’t given microplastics in the water,” he stated. Their translated results showed that mice exposed to microplastics showed behaviors indicative of early onset dementia.
They had a difficult time figuring out the way to get to the food. They had forgotten where to go. In doing so, he illustrated, as many other scientists have, the alarming cognitive effects from microplastic exposure.
Dr. Wilson further highlighted that one of the dangerous aspects of these microplastics is their ability to become airborne and be inhaled, causing even more health risks. “We are breathing it in and so it can get trapped in the lungs,” he warned, indicating that the implications extend beyond ingestion and into respiratory health.
Strategies for Reducing Microplastic Exposure
Dr. Wilson has some other actionable ideas to help families. Here’s how families can use these strategies to minimize microplastic exposure at home, according to the latest research. For those still concerned about lead, he suggests vacuuming every day, especially in play areas where kids are often found. This commonsense practice will go a long way toward reducing the microplastic load on our waters and ensuring cleaner environments for families.
In addition, Dr. Wilson warned against high wash cycle settings or high-temperature washes to clean plastic because the heat can accelerate leaching. “Anytime you use a high wash cycle or high temperatures, you are basically going to be eroding — micro-erosion — off the surface of those plastics that you’ve got in there,” he explained. He added that using dishwashers could inadvertently create more microplastics, stating, “So you’re actually creating microplastics by putting them in your dishwasher.”
Our homes are at the frontlines of the battle against plastic exposure. In response, Dr. Wilson advocates increased regulation and more comprehensive testing of the chemicals we use to create plastics. Through raising public awareness and applying more stringent regulations, he feels that society can make a huge impact on health risks associated with microplastics.
