Should You Be Worried About Nanoplastics?

Plastic is all around us, from bottled water to take-out containers. But did you know that we’re consuming tiny particles of plastic without even realizing it?

While there’s been some research on microplastics on how they can affect the human body, a new study sheds light on their smaller colleague, nanoplastics, and how prevalent they are in one plastic bottle of water.

The staggering stat? An average liter of bottled water contains 240,000 plastic fragments, with 90% identified as nanoplastics.

“Nanoplastics are primarily byproducts of the breakdown of larger plastic containers. The nano level is so small that you can’t see it with your eye,” explains researcher Christopher Hine, PhD. “In fact, it’s quite hard to see them on a regular microscope. You have to use a special type of microscope to see these types of plastics because they’re extremely, extremely small.”

Should you be worried about nanoplastics? Dr. Hine explains what the latest research shows and how you can limit your exposure to nanoplastics.

Potential health effects of nanoplastics

So, how can nanoplastics harm us? While researchers are still figuring it all out, Dr. Hine says that we have some idea.

“Since nanoplastics are quite different chemically, there’s not one single way they could harm us,” he notes. “We’re looking at how nanoplastics work as endocrine disruptors. What they do is interfere with the body’s hormones — thyroid hormones, stress hormones like cortisol and sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone.”

For example, nanoplastics may contain chemicals such as bisphenol A (BPA), which can mimic the activity of estrogen and result in early puberty in young people.

Dr. Hine says the impact of nanoplastics exposure potentially may be greater in babies, young children, teenagers and people who are pregnant compared to nonpregnant adults. But he stresses that the area of nanoplastics needs to be studied further to fully understand all the health impacts.

“There needs to be more research when it comes to nanoplastics and their effects on the body,” he states. “Nanoplastics can cross the intestinal, tissue and blood-brain barriers, so nanoplastics are getting to regions of the body that really have never been exposed to plastics before.”

Should I worry about nanoplastics in bottled water?

“Most nanoplastics are going to be found in food and drink, if that food and drink were packaged in plastic,” says Dr. Hine.

But research shows that nanoplastics are present in many areas of our lives, from our water supply to our soil.

“Some research looked at numerous human tissues and found nanoplastics to be present,” he continues. “So, while we’re not wrapped in plastic all the time, we’re exposed to these chemicals.”

And while that can feel very scary, Dr. Hine isn’t here to be an alarmist.

“Municipal wastewater systems are pretty good at cleaning our water, providing fresh, clean water to us, so in most municipalities, the water is quite safe to drink,” he affirms.

And bottled water that’s been stored properly is safe to drink — Dr. Hine emphasizes the importance of staying hydrated and that any risk of dehydration is greater than any negative effects of nanoplastics.

Ways to limit nanoplastics

Dr. Hine offers some helpful tips on how you can limit nanoplastics exposure.

Use dishwasher- and microwave-safe containers

Make sure that any plastic containers are dishwasher- and microwave-safe before storing or reheating food.

“When plastic containers get heated up, that plastic can melt and leach out chemicals,” Dr. Hine explains. “I highly recommend you don’t heat up food in plastic containers unless they’re specifically dishwasher- or microwave-safe.”

And even better? Use glass, metal or ceramic containers when possible to store food.

Pay attention to how and where you store drinking water

The ideal place to store your plastic water bottles? In a dark, cool place, like your refrigerator.

“I’d avoid leaving your water bottle in the sun or in your car in the middle of summer, where it heats up and it gets exposed to sun,” stresses Dr. Hine. “That heat is going to accelerate the breakdown of plastic.”

Throw away old plastic containers

If you’re like us, you have way too many plastic containers hidden within your kitchen cabinets — many with missing lids or old food stains.

“It’s also important to look at your old plastic containers,” advises Dr. Hine. “If they start looking brittle or the colors are faded on them, that’s a good sign that the plastic has started to break down.”

Handle receipts with care

Even that receipt from the grocery store or your favorite restaurant could pose a risk when it comes to nanoplastics, says Dr. Hine. Many receipts contain BPA, which is the aforementioned plasticizer that gives some receipts a waterproof or waxy feeling.

“Washing your hands after you handle receipts is a good idea because there are nanoplastics on them,” recommends Dr. Hine. “If those nanoplastics get on your hands and then you eat or handle food before washing your hands, you could potentially consume those nanoplastics.”

Bottom line?

While thinking about how nanoplastics are all around can make your head spin, Dr. Hine says the best course of action is to take steps to limit your exposure.

“If you aren’t able to reduce your plastic use, it’s not something that you should panic about,” he reassures. “The best thing you can do is be more cognizant about it. But it’s not something that’s going to lead to an acute medical emergency.”