Can Avoiding Plastic for One Week Reduce the Level of Toxic Chemicals in Your Body?
Last month, a new scientific study published in Nature Medicine found that just seven days of living with less plastic significantly reduced levels of chemicals used to make plastics in our bodies.
The researchers focused on phthalates and bisphenols, two groups of chemicals commonly used in plastics that have well-known health impacts because of their effect on the endocrine system. These chemicals can enter our food during manufacturing or from plastic packaging, be absorbed through the skin from personal care products, or be inhaled from dust and air.
The study followed 211 adults in Australia, collecting detailed information about their demographics, diet, and lifestyle, as well as administering health tests, including blood, urine, stool, and nasal samples. First, the researchers confirmed that exposure to these chemicals is ubiquitous, finding that 100% of participants had high levels of at least six different plastic chemicals on any given day. This is similar to results in the United States, with data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finding that nearly every American has these chemicals in their bodies.
Because our bodies can actually excrete phthalates and bisphenols fairly quickly, the researchers next designed a randomized controlled trial to test whether reducing exposure would have an impact. For seven days, one group was given food specially sourced to minimize contact with plastic, from production to packaging. They were also given plastic-free kitchenware to prepare the food and personal care products with less plastic. The other group was left to their normal routines.
After just one week, the “low-plastic” group had significantly reduced their levels of chemicals used to make plastic. Levels of one phthalate (mono-n-butyl phthalate) were reduced by 44% and bisphenol levels dropped by more than 50%.
These results send a message of hope: They show that our bodies can recover quickly when exposure is reduced. However, the participants were able to achieve these reductions because researchers provided carefully controlled food, packaging, cookware, and products. Most people will not be able to replicate that in their own lives.
That’s why this study also points to the necessity for strong policy and regulation that will do more than individuals can do alone. Eliminating plastic and removing unsafe chemicals is the best way to replicate these results for all Americans. To read the full study and learn more about their findings, click here.
In New York state, a bill is being considered that would phase out some of the most toxic chemicals used in plastic packaging. The Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act needs to be voted on in the New York legislature before June 4. If you live in New York state, please call your state legislators today.
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