Parenting in the age of microplastics

Microplastics and nanoplastics have found their way into our food, water, and even the air we breathe. As a parent, it’s natural to wonder how these invisible fragments might affect your children’s health. In this article, we’ll explore where microplastics come from, why kids may be more vulnerable, and practical steps you can take to limit exposure.

What exactly are microplastics?

Microplastics – tiny plastic particles measuring less than five millimeters – form when larger plastic items, like bags or bottles, break down over time, or when small plastic beads are manufactured for products such as scrubs and toothpaste. Nanoplastics are an extremely small variety of microplastics. 

Research shows these particles are widespread, appearing in oceans, rivers, and even household dust. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), many plastics don’t fully degrade but instead fragment into ever-smaller pieces that can linger in our environment indefinitely.

Why microplastics may be higher in children

Research shows that children have higher levels of microplastics in their bodies compared to adults. Children often explore through touch and taste, plus they breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults. That means they may inhale or ingest more microplastics—especially if they’re crawling around on floors or cuddling with plush toys made of synthetic materials. 

While recent studies have found traces of these particles in human bodies, the direct cause-and-effect relationship is still not fully understood. Scientists see correlations, but more research is needed to establish any definitive health impacts.

Dangerous or just hype?

You’ve probably heard a lot about microplastics in your parenting circles, and there is a lot of fear surrounding them right now. However, the research into how microplastics affect humans is still surprisingly young. 

Currently, experts acknowledge that we lack concrete data linking microplastics to specific health issues. Many studies indicate microplastics carry chemicals or contaminants, but proving direct harm in humans remains challenging. 

There are signs of a link between high levels of microplastics in the body and adverse health outcomes, but not enough evidence that the microplastics are what are causing these outcomes. Still, most agree it’s wise to reduce unnecessary exposure whenever possible, especially in vulnerable populations like kids.

Where do microplastics come from in our homes?

Microplastics don’t just float around in the ocean; they can also settle into the cozy spaces where we spend most of our time. Particles shed from synthetic fabrics, drift in with outdoor air, or escape from worn plastic containers. Even everyday household dust can carry microscopic plastics that get stirred up when we vacuum or open windows.

Synthetic fibers: an unexpected villain

A significant source of microplastics is synthetic fibers, such as polyester or nylon, that shed tiny fragments during washing, drying, and everyday wear. These fibers can become airborne and easily settle on surfaces – or end up in children’s lungs if they breathe them in. 

While total elimination of synthetic clothing isn’t always practical, being aware of the shedding process can help you decide when to invest in natural-fiber clothing or bedding.

Natural fibers
(biodegradable)

• Bamboo

• Cotton

• Linen

• Wool

• Silk

Synthetic fibers
(shed microplastics)

• Acrylic

• Polyester

• Rayon

• Acetate

• Nylon

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Should I worry about my child’s plastic toys?

Hard plastic toys can shed microplastics over time, especially if they’re heavily used or frequently exposed to sunlight, heat, or rough play. However, the amount typically shed by a well-made plastic toy is often less than what’s released from synthetic textiles. 

If you’re concerned, look for reputable brands that adhere to safety standards, check toys regularly for damage, and replace any that are cracking or breaking down. As always, don’t let perfection be the enemy of good. Every effort counts, so adding a few wooden toys to the rotation reduces the amount of microplastic exposure – and throwing out a perfectly good toy isn’t in the best interest of the environment either.

Things you might not have thought contain microplastics

• Tea bags and coffee pods: Certain single-use teabags and coffee pods can release microplastics when exposed to hot water.

• Disposable wipes: Many wipes contain plastic fibers for strength, which can break down into tiny particles over time.

• Glitter: Those sparkly craft bits are often tiny pieces of plastic that may end up in your home’s dust and water systems.

• Salt: Tiny plastic particles show up in various types of table salt, including sea, lake and rock salts.

5 top tips to reduce microplastics in your kid’s life

1. Consider natural fibers: Whenever practical, choose cotton, bamboo, or linen clothing and bedding for children to decrease synthetic shedding.

2. Upgrade laundry habits: Use a microfiber-catching laundry bag or install a filter on your washing machine. Wash synthetic clothing less often and on gentler cycles.

3. Keep dust down: Vacuum frequently with a HEPA filter and damp-mop floors to capture plastic particles.

4. Filter drinking water: A quality filter can help remove small contaminants. 

5. Avoid plastic food storage. Avoid storing and particularly heating food in plastic containers to reduce breakdown. Use reusable, non-plastic water bottles – and glass formula bottles if you can swing it.

You cannot be a plastic-free parent

Parent guilt is so hard to avoid, but it’s not made easier when we ask impossible things of ourselves. 

Parenting – as we know – is a tough gig on the best of days. Even when everything is going right, the kids are happy, the kitchen looks moderately clean, and you’ve slept more than five uninterrupted hours, you may be struck by the feeling that there’s something you didn’t do perfectly today. Parent guilt is so hard to avoid, but it’s not made easier when we ask impossible things of ourselves. 

So here’s the truth: you will never be able to shield your kiddos (or yourself) from every single piece of microplastic in the atmosphere. There will always be some that sneaks through. All you can do is look at some adjustments to your daily routine, figure out changes that are sustainable and possible, and make them a little at a time. 

Even small changes add up over time, and by being mindful of what you can change, you can help to make a safer, cleaner world for our children to grow and thrive in. Now that’s progress over perfection – and nothing micro about it. 

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