When you imagine what's inside your body, you likely picture your heart, brain and other essential organs -- not pieces of plastic. However, plastic in the human body has become increasingly common.
It's been estimated that Americans consume 39,000 to 52,000 microplastic particles each year, through the food we eat, the water we drink and even the kitchen items we use to prepare, cook and store our food. Microplastic particles are less than 5mm in length, meaning they're smaller than a sesame seed. While more research is needed, Stanford Medicine reports that some studies have linked microplastics to cell damage, a weakened immune system, abnormal organ development and certain cancers, among other health issues.
Though it may be easier to simply stick with the plastic containers and kitchen utensils you already have, making simple swaps for glass, metal or wooden items might be worth it in the long run. After all, the price of a glass storage container seems reasonable when it comes to protecting your health.
Though microplastics and their possible health effects have been making headlines for quite some time, I'd been putting off going through my own kitchen to see where they could be hiding. Now it's time to face the music. This is what I discovered.
1. Plastic storage containers
Just a few of the plastic containers I found hiding in my cabinet. Anna Gragert/CNET
When I went through my storage container cabinet, I found several plastic containers. Some I use solely for storing dry goods, while others are reserved for saving leftovers in the refrigerator and reheating them in the microwave. The latter do say they're refrigerator-, dishwasher- and microwave-safe, but they all show signs of wear and should definitely be replaced.
A September 2024 study determined that of the 14,000 known food contact chemicals present in food packaging, 3,601 of them, or about 25%, were detected in humans. Specifically, 235 FCCs in materials that come into contact with food have been found in humans, including plastic compounds.
There is also particular worry regarding the use of microwaves and plastic containers. A June 2023 study concluded that heating a plastic container in the microwave resulted in the highest release of microplastics and nanoplastics into food, compared to refrigeration, storage at room temperature and other use. However, refrigeration and room temperature storage can still release up to billions of microplastics and nanoplastics into their contents over the course of six months. Nanoplastics are even smaller than microplastics, measuring less than 1 micron, making them potentially more damaging to the human body.
This is especially a concern with plastic takeout containers that don't say they're heat-safe, and even then, that might just be marketing jargon. This year, it was reported that Rubbermaid is being sued for claiming that its plastic containers are "microwave safe" and "freezer safe" when, allegedly, they still release microplastics into food. A representative for Rubbermaid did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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