Plastics are everywhere and unavoidable in modern life. For many decades, we’ve relied on these materials for everything, from containers and shopping bags, to drink bottles and children’s toys. But what we didn’t know – and what many of us may still not be aware of – is that plastics have components that seep into our body and likely cause health disorders like infertility, hormonal imbalance, and even cancer.

As a mom and a health-conscious person, I’ve been following the scientific developments about plastic’s health risks. It’s now crystal-clear: we need to cut our dependence on plastic ASAP. Let’s talk about what it is in plastics that’s harming our wellness, and what we can do to curb its impact on our health and our family’s.

You’ve probably seen product labels that say they’re “BPA-free.” BPA is a synthetic chemical that’s used in the manufacture of various types of plastics, like polycarbonates and epoxy resins. Essentially, it’s a primary ‘ingredient’ in creating common plastics.

You’d be surprised by the ubiquitous applications of BPA. It’s in food packaging, reusable drink bottles, infant feeding bottles, electronic equipment, toys, medical devices, dental sealants, flooring, textiles, thermal paper, and more. It’s even in the inner lining of food cans and water pipes.

What’s more shocking is that even the most hygienic person can absorb BPA in their bodies from mere seconds of contact with plastic. Experts found that when you hold for 60 seconds an item made of thermal paper – like receipts and bus tickets – you’ll get 3 micrograms of BPA in your body. And if you use hand sanitizer beforehand, you’ll actually absorb 300 micrograms of BPA – a hundred times more absorption.

But the plastic industry found a way to overcome these regulations. Manufacturers started producing “BPA-free” plastics but with the use of BPA alternatives like bisphenol-S (BPS) and bisphenol-F (BPF). Contrary to what labels lead us to believe, these BPA substitutes are not safe, either. They’re derivatives of BPA, and multiple studies have found these derivatives to be toxic to human health, too.

Now, scientists are calling out the plastic industry for misleading consumers about the safety of their materials. In the scientific community, BPA alternatives are described as a “regrettable substitution,” and leading epidemiologist Shanna Swan, PhD outright calls it scamming.

Phthalates (pronounced like thal-eights) are synthetic chemicals that are added into the manufacture of plastics to make these materials durable and flexible. Because of this, they’re also called plasticizers.

You’d think that these plastic items are relatively harmless because we don’t ingest them. Unfortunately, phthalates and other plastic chemicals easily leach out of things and into our soil, agriculture, and water supply. This is why scientific investigations have detected varying levels of phthalates in food, even baby food.

Like BPA and other plastic chemicals, phthalates are endocrine disruptors. They are scientifically linked to adverse hormonal effects like insulin resistance, diabetes, obesity, allergies, reproductive problems, early menopause, breast cancer, and thyroid cancer.

There’s also evidence that in pregnant women, phthalate exposure can lead to preterm birth or pregnancy loss. Babies who are exposed to phthalates in the womb or early in life may develop asthma, delayed neurodevelopment, compromised weight and height, and high blood pressure.

Yes and no. There are various specific compounds in the phthalates family, and some of them are restricted while others are not. For example, the US banned three specific phthalates (DBP, BBP, and DEHP) from childcare items and toys, but there are at least five other kinds of phthalates not affected by this ban. Also, the US Food and Drug Administration has so far not prohibited any kind of phthalates from cosmetics.

Forever chemicals are a category of synthetic compounds that are virtually indestructible. When they seep into our body, we can’t get rid of them – they accumulate instead. In fact, a nationwide survey in the US found that 98 percent of participants already had forever chemicals in their bodies.

The most common forever chemicals are called PFAS, which stands for “per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances”. Other forever chemicals include perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).

Various countries have various degrees of restrictions on forever chemicals. Canada, for example, has prohibited PFOS and PFOA, but so far, the country’s action on PFAS is only as far as monitoring and providing guidelines. Similarly, several other countries have restricted but not completely banned PFAS.

This means that some of our commonly used things still have forever chemicals – not to mention the amount of these chemicals that have already accumulated in the environment.

Microplastics – and their tinier version nanoplastics – are not chemicals but microscopic pieces of plastic that break off and spread out in the environment. In general, microplastics are between 100 nanometers and 5 millimetres in size, while nanoplastics are smaller than 100 nanometers.

Microplastics and nanoplastics have made their way into our bodies, disrupting the normal processes of our cells and organ systems. One of the most concerning effects was documented in a 2022 study where researchers saw that microplastics were toxic at a cellular level, eventually leading to cell death.

Many other studies link microplastics to disorders of the airways, liver, intestine, reproductive system, and brain. These plastic bits also impair our metabolism and immune response.

It’s nearly impossible to avoid plastic in today’s world. So how do we protect ourselves and our loved ones from the harmful effects of this material? At the household level, we recommend three lines of defense: avoiding new plastic purchases, buying the appropriate types of plastic, and using plastics the right way. Here’s how:

If you want more tips on reducing plastic dependence, read our blog post which lists 35 easy ways to cut waste from your daily life.

The tips above are small steps we can take to keep our homes just a bit safer from the harms of plastic. But what can really make significant changes are plastic-producing companies – those that manufacture plastic or use plastic materials for their products. They’re the source of the plastics around us, and they should feel the pressure of lessening their adverse impact on human health.

We as consumers can place this pressure on them. Through our buying choices and informed voices, we can urge them to rethink their use of plastics in favour of safer alternatives.