Plastic, a ubiquitous material that was once admired for its durability, flexibility, and endless number of uses. Historically, plastic was developed as an alternative to natural ivory in 1869 by John Wesley Hyatt. The popularity of the game billiards contributed to the strain of the supply of ivory, leading to a New York firm offering $10,000 to anyone who could find a suitable replacement (www.sciencehistory.org), and the rest is history. Fast forward approximately 150 years later and plastics are used in:
- Appliances
- Bags, sacks and wraps
- Bottles and jars
- Casing of lead-acid batteries
- Clothing and fabrics
- Cups
- Disposable diapers
- Furniture
- Household items such as shower curtains
- Medical devices
- Toys
- Trash bags
- Utensils
Production of plastic surged over decades, and per Science History Institute Museum & Library, “The possibilities of plastics gave some observers an almost utopian future with abundant material wealth thanks to an inexpensive, safe, sanitary substance that could be shaped by humans to their every whim.”
Concerns began to arise in the 1960s, a decade noted for environmental conscientiousness, when people noticed plastic debris accumulating in the oceans. Despite plastic items ending up in landfills, plastic particles ended up in the air, soil, and water. Compounded with the release of the book Silent Spring by Rachel Carson–a work detailing the dangers of chemical pesticides, and the Cuyahoga River fire, people began to question the sustainability of long-term plastic usage and its impact on the environment.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines “microplastic” as plastic particles ranging from 5 millimeters (mm) to 1 nanometer (nm) in size. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) cites a 2023 study by Bartman, Copotelli, Gaspar, and Ross, where microplastics were present in the drinking water of mice then detected in their tissue. AAMC further states “Microplastics have been detected in fruits and vegetables, plastic water bottles, the air, cosmetics, and household dust. Now, researchers are finding them in almost every part of the human body, including in breast milk, the placenta, testicles, hearts, livers, and kidneys.”
Microplastics can be found “everywhere: from trash, dust, fabrics, cosmetics, cleaning products, rain, seafood, produce, tables salt, and more.” (www.harvard.edu). This is alarming, considering microplastics found in the body contain chemicals that have been linked to multiple diseases including (Ocean Blue Project):
- Three forms of cancer
- Disruptions to the endocrine system and hormone imbalances
- Endometriosis
- Male fertility struggles
- Problems for fetus development
- Respiratory disease
- Asthma
- Cardiovascular disease
Though it’s unlikely we can completely eliminate our exposure to plastics, there are certainly actions we can take to reduce the plastic use in our personal lives.
- Avoid single-use food/beverage containers, like bottled water.
- Avoid highly-processed foods.
- Utilize wooden cutting boards.
- Use glass storage containers or another non-plastic alternative.
- If you drink tea, consuming loose-leaf teas.
- Vacuum often to reduce airborne microplastics.
- Consider purchasing organic materials: cotton, silk, wool, hemp, and other natural fibers.
- Wash clothing less frequently, run full loads, and dry clothes on a clothesline.
- Research political candidates who support plastic-free initiatives for the future.
As for reducing environmental plastic waste, there is hope for the future. We can take action into our own hands by practicing the 3 R’s: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Reduce plastic waste using the tips mentioned above. Reuse plastic by using old plastic bags for multiple shopping trips, as trash liners or for pet waste. Recycle plastics accepted by your local recycling facilities. Identify these items by the number of the plastic, located on the bottom of the container. To quote Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu, “Everything great must be dealt with while it is still small.”
Written by: Caitlin Mathews-Smith, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University, Guernsey County, mathews-smith.1@osu.edu
Reviewed by: Jessica Lowe, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University, Pickaway County, lowe.495@osu.edu