Concerns about microplastics are growing as they become increasingly prevalent in everyday life. These tiny plastic fragments, measuring less than 5 millimeters, are found in clothing, carpets, cookware, and food packaging. The volume of plastics in our lives has increased more than 200 times over the past 75 years, raising alarms about their potential health impacts, especially in home environments.

Dr. Scott Wilson, a researcher at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and Macquarie University, warns that microplastics can be inhaled and may become trapped in the lungs. "The larger particles get expelled as we cough it out, but the smaller particles get caught and reside there and can move across into the bloodstream," he said.

Eleanor Saxon-Mills, a mother of two young children, is acutely aware of her reliance on plastics. "When I look around my house, there's plastic literally everywhere. I would have no idea how it's even getting into me, let alone how to stop it from getting into me," she said. During a recent visit, she offered to make tea, unaware that even tea bags can contain microplastics.

To investigate the presence of microplastics in her home, Dr. Wilson placed petri dishes around various rooms. Surprisingly, the highest levels of microplastics were found in the bedroom and bathroom, primarily from synthetic fibers. "In the home, ninety percent of what we're seeing are fibers," Dr. Wilson noted. The children's play area also showed significant microplastic presence, with larger chunks detected, likely from toys.

While Eleanor's kitchen had low airborne microplastics, she was alarmed by the findings in other areas. "Do I have to chuck out all the kids' toys, all the plastic? How worried should I be?" she asked. Dr. Wilson reassured her, suggesting that regular vacuuming could minimize the microplastic load in the play area.

The safety of microplastics remains uncertain. There are an estimated 13,000 to 16,000 chemicals in plastics, most of which have not been tested for safety. Some known harmful substances include PFOS, PFOA, and PFHxS, which have been banned in Australia since July. Other chemicals of concern include bisphenols and phthalates.

Research indicates that microplastics may be absorbed into the bloodstream and could potentially cause inflammation and other health issues. Animal studies have shown that exposure to microplastics can lead to developmental and behavioral changes. In one study, mice exposed to microplastics exhibited signs of early onset dementia, struggling to navigate mazes to find food.

Dr. Wilson emphasized the need for caution, stating, "It's easy to panic about this, so it's important to remember that the solid evidence for human harm is light on. But if we wait until there's proof, it might be too late."

Experts recommend following the Precautionary Principle, which suggests avoiding potential risks when possible. This can include eliminating plastic wrap, plastic utensils, and non-stick cookware, and opting for glass containers instead. Dr. Wilson also cautioned against using high temperatures with plastics, as this can create microplastics through erosion.

As discussions continue on developing a global plastics treaty, the focus remains on better regulation and understanding of the chemicals used in plastics. While it may be impossible to eliminate plastics entirely, knowing which ones are safer could help mitigate health risks.