An expert in how microplastics affect our health does 6 things to avoid them at home

Research suggests that microplastics could contribute to the development or worsening of health issues such as asthma, Couceiro said. A study released earlier this year, meanwhile, suggested microplastics increase the risks of stroke and heart attacks. That’s concerning, considering that microplastics have been found in human blood, brains, and testicles.

Although experts don’t yet fully understand how microplastics affect our health, Couceiro said that “it would be sensible to try to limit the number we expose ourselves to while we determine what the problems are.”

Couceiro added that while legislation and wider systemic changes are needed to meaningfully reduce the number of microplastics we come into contact with, there are things we can do to reduce exposure at home.

Don’t microwave food in a plastic container

Couceiro tries to remove food from plastic packaging before microwaving it whenever she can. But she doesn’t stress if this isn’t possible when she eats out.

“When you see things like plastic spatulas melting and bubbling, there’s little pieces of plastic coming off them,” she said.

Where possible, Couceiro cooks with metal or wood cookware instead of plastic, and avoids buying plastic utensils.

Avoid really fluffy materials

This can be tough with kids, so Couceiro just limits fluffy materials in her home rather than banning them.

But she’s wary of them because they are more likely to be made of plastic fibers that shed easily.

Ventilate your home

Couceiro likes to have fresh air in the house, and recommends ventilating your living space by opening windows to reduce the number of microplastics in the air.

But, she said, you have to make sure that you won’t be undoing the benefits by allowing pollution into your home, which is more likely if you live near busy roads or in a city center.

Alternatively, air purifiers can help improve air quality if left running for long periods, she said.