Health Impact of Plastics on Health

by | BPA, endocrine disruptors, health, healthy home, indoor environmental health, learning disorders, mircoplastics, personal care, personal care products, phthalates, plastic

The Impact of Plastics on Our Health & The Environment

Plastics have become an integral part of our daily lives, but their effects on our health and the environment are becoming more and more apparent. In this post, we'll delve into some of the issues posed by the widespread use of plastic, on human health and on our planet.

We’ll explore topics such as microplastics, plastic pollution, and the chemicals found in plastics that can disrupt our endocrine system.

The Effects of Microplastics

Microplastics are small plastic particles that are less than 5 millimetres in size. 

These particles can come from a wide range of sources, including cosmetics, clothing, and industrial processes. 

Dr. Janice Brahney, an assistant professor at Utah State University, explains that, “Once they enter the environment, they can cause a range of problems.” 

Research from the University of Plymouth has revealed that a single polyester garment can shed up to 1,900 microfibers in one wash, and these microplastics can enter the food chain when they are ingested by small marine creatures, eventually making their way into the seafood we eat. Microplastics can also cause physical harm to marine life, disrupting their digestive and reproductive systems.

There is growing concern about the impact of microplastics on our health. 

Recent research suggests that these tiny particles can enter our bodies through the air we breathe, the food we eat and even the water we drink. 

A study published in Environmental Science & Technology in 2020 found that people could be ingesting an average of 5 grams of plastic every week, which is the equivalent to the weight of a credit card. This means that we are consuming microplastics in our food and water, and these particles could potentially cause long-term health problems.

Plastic Pollution in Our Environment

Plastic pollution is one of the biggest environmental challenges we face today. 

Dr. Jenna Jambeck, an associate professor of environmental engineering at the University of Georgia, states that, “Over 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic have been produced since the 1950s, and the majority of that plastic is still in the environment.” 

Plastic pollution not only affects the aesthetics of our planet, but it can also have a serious impact on ecosystems. Birds and other wildlife can become entangled in plastic, or ingest it, causing injury or death. Some sea birds are mistakenly fed plastics as babies, resulting in them being too heavy to fly, so they drown when they head out to sea.

The impact of plastic pollution on our oceans is particularly concerning. 

According to a report by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, there could be more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050 if current trends continue. 

Plastic pollution can also have a direct impact on human health. In areas where plastic waste is burned, it can release toxic fumes that are harmful to human health.

The Impact of Plastics on Human Health

Many plastics contain harmful chemicals, including phthalates, bisphenol A (BPA), and other endocrine disrupting chemicals. 

Dr. Leonardo Trasande, a professor of environmental medicine and paediatrics at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, explains, “These chemicals can disrupt the endocrine system, which regulates hormones that play a critical role in human health.” 

Phthalates are often added to plastics to make them more flexible, but they have been linked to a range of health problems, including hormonal imbalances and reproductive issues. 

BPA is a chemical used in plastics that can mimic oestrogen in the body and has been linked to obesity, diabetes, and other health problems. In many situations, this has been replaced by bisphenol S (BPS) which isn’t any better!

Endocrine disrupting chemicals can also impact foetal development and may lead to long-term health problems.

One of the most concerning aspects of plastic and health is the potential impact on unborn babies. 

Research has suggested that exposure to certain endocrine disrupting chemicals during foetal development could lead to a range of health problems later in life. 

A study published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives found that women with higher levels of phthalates in their blood during pregnancy were more likely to have children with language delays. 

Another study found that BPA exposure during pregnancy could increase the risk of behavioural problems in young girls.

It's not just unborn babies who are at risk from the chemicals found in plastics. 

Adults can also be affected. 

For example, a study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism found that men who consumed food from plastic containers had lower levels of testosterone than men who did not.

Summing it all up –

Plastics have become ubiquitous in our society, but their impact on our health and the environment is becoming increasingly concerning. 

Microplastics are found in our food, water, and air, and plastic pollution is one of the biggest environmental challenges we face. 

Chemicals found in plastics can disrupt the endocrine system, leading to a range of health problems, including reproductive issues, obesity, and diabetes. 

It's important to reduce our use of plastics wherever possible and to recycle and dispose of them properly. 

By doing so, we can help to protect our planet and our health.

Healthy Home Tips to reduce your use of plastics:

  • Use stainless steel drink bottles, instead of single-use plastic bottles
  • Choose food in glass containers
  • Buy food from bulk suppliers so you can use your own packaging instead
  • Use glass containers to store your food in – you can reuse your glass jars
  • Herbs and spices keep better in glass jars
  • Left-over food can be placed in the fridge in a bowl with a plate as a lid (no need for cling film)
  • Use metal or glass bottles for home-made cleaning and skincare products
  • Opt for sustainable scrubbing brushes, instead of plastic ones
  • Opt for bamboo microfibre cloths, instead of those made with synthetic fibres
  • Use stainless steel pegs instead of plastic ones
  • Choose natural fibres for clothing, bedding and other textiles, avoiding synthetics
  • Invest in cloth shopping bags and bags you can buy (and store) your fresh produce in
  • Choose stainless steel or bamboo straws
  • Check out our “Eco-friendly” category for more products with this in mind
Could My House Be Making Me Sick

Want your home to be a healthy one that supports your wellbeing?

Like to find out more about creating a healthy home?

Grab this FREE Could my house be making me sick? guide here.

References

  • Brahney, J., et al. (2018). The plastics revolution: how have we created a world in which plastic threatens life? The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/the-plastics-revolution-how-have-we-created-a-world-in-which-plastic-threatens-life-102335
  • Ellen MacArthur Foundation. (2016). The New Plastics Economy: Rethinking the future of plastics. https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/publications/the-new-plastics-economy-rethinking-the-future-of-plastics
  • Geyer, R., et al. (2017). Production, use, and fate of all plastics ever made. Science Advances, 3(7). https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/3/7/e1700782
  • Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. (n.d.). Endocrine disruptors. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/iaq/endocrine-disruptors/
  • Mínguez-Alarcón, L., et al. (2018). Urinary bisphenol A concentrations and association with in vitro fertilization outcomes among women from a fertility clinic. Human Reproduction, 33(11), 2053-2062. https://academic.oup.com/humrep/article/33/11/2053/5064139
  • Rochester, J. R. (2013). Bisphenol A and human health: a review of the literature. Reproductive Toxicology

Plastic-Free July (and every month)

by | air quality, building biology, building materials, buildings and health, chemical sensitivities, chemicals, cleaning, cleaning products, drinking water, endocrine disruptors, fragrances, health, healthy home, indoor air quality, indoor environmental health, informed choice, personal care, personal care products, scents, self-care, simple life

Why Avoid Plastic?

Avoiding plastic has always been something high on my agenda.

When I was a teen and a twenty-something, it was about protecting the environment –

  • not creating waste,
  • minimising the creating of single-use items, and
  • protecting our beautiful planet (in a very general sense)

As I have gotten older, and understood more about the environment and health, it has become even more important.

Here are three really big reasons to avoid plastics.

 

1. Pollutants from Plastics

Plastic bottles and containers can leach phthalates, xenooestrogens and other pollutant into the food, personal care or cleaning product with them.

This can play havoc with our health, as they interfere with our hormones (“endocrine-disrupting chemicals”).

What is more, they can also effect other animals that are exposed to them.

 

2. Plastic Polluting

Most of us already know about the piles of plastics in the oceans that form islands…

Our PET bottles, condoms, bags, and so on, all sweep the oceans and accumulate in certain areas.

As well, very small particles can break off plastic items (including synthetic clothing) to form microplastics.

These tiny pieces are a massice problem in the environment.

 

3. Killing Wildlife

One example is seabirds.

I saw a documentary where seabirds needed humans to help them survive.

 

Parents were feeding their young plastic that they had “caught” in the oceans…

Of course, the young were not able to digest it…

So it accumulated in their stomachs.

There were three big consequences of this.

a) The presence of the plastics in stomachs of the youing birds could leach endocrine-disrupting chemicals… which might have devastating effects on the species.

b) The birds were not being nourished properly – as plastic isn't food!

c) The baby birds were heavy with all the plastic in their stomachs – which meant that as they headed out to sea, they would not be able to fly, and would then drown.

The scientists would catch the youngsters as they headed to the water…

And get them to vomit out all the plastic.

There was a surprisingly (and alarmingly) large amount of it!

By removing the plastic from their stomachs, they were being given the best chance to survive.

 

It was truly heartbreaking to see this.

So, what can you do about it?

Join the Challenge –

In my free Facebook group, we are doing a Plastic-Free Challenge.

Consider alternatives to plastic –

 

Choose Your Tactic

PlasticFreeJuly.org has compiled this great resource – download it here – then review it and choose which ones that you can action.

P.S. This is a great one to involve the kids with 😉

Time for New Habits

by | air pollution, air quality, buildings and health, carbon monoxide, chemicals, cleaning, earthing, electric fields, electromagnetic radiation, EME, EMF, EMR, grounding, health, healthy home, humidity, indoor air quality, indoor environmental health, magnetic fields, mold, mould, personal care, self-care, simple life, sleep, traffic related air pollution, ventilation, VOCs

The end of the year is a time when we look to create new habits.

We reflect back on the year that we have had.

And decide what we would like to do differently.

Do you do that?

I do.

I love this practice and tend to do it way more often.

Here’s are 5 new habits that support health!

New Habit 1: Turn Off the Tech

Research shows that evening use of devices containing LED lights in their screens can have a large effect on our wellbeing.


Research out of Israel by Green, et al., discovered that 2-hours of evening exposure to these screens resulted in:

  • Increased waking through the night,
  • Poorer quality sleep, and
  • Suppressed melatonin production.

The effects were also seen the following day, with:

  • Increased sleepiness,
  • A decrease in the ability to concentrate, and
  • Reduced accuracy

Sleep in incredibly important not only for your mood and ability to concentrate, but also for your health and ability to tolerate environmental stressors.

So, when can you turn off the tech?

Habit #2: Easy & Breezy

Did you know that the air inside our homes can be 5-10 times more polluted than outdoors?

This is due to all sorts of reasons, from what we bring into our homes, to what our homes are made of, how we cook and what our pots and pans are made of…

And that is just for starters.

When we add pesticides, cleaning products and scented reeds into the mix, we are really cooking up a storm!

Then we’re there.

Breathing, eating, using the bathroom…

Sweating (or “perspiring” 😉 for those who don’t sweat), cooking, sleeping…

Everything we bring into our homes can affect the quality of the indoor air.

If our home is nicely energy efficient, it is very likely that it is well-sealed, keeping the indoor air in, and the outdoor air out.

This can lead to a build-up of volatile organic compounds, particulate matter, house dust mites, mould spores, combustion gases and more.

To make matters worse, if you never exchange the air in your home…

It never gets diluted.

And –

That is how the indoor air can be so much worse than the outdoor air.

Where in your day can you open your windows and doors?

eco-health-solutions-nature

Habit #3: Healing Naturally

I always see nature as our baseline…

The ideal to which we strive…

The harmony and balance of nature is so supportive and healing.

The Japanese embrace this through their practise of Shinrin Yoku – or “forest bathing.”

The idea is that you wander out into nature, ideally under a canopy of trees, and sit or lay there for at least an hour.

I see so many benefits of this…

  1. You get to breathe fresh natural air, instead of indoor air
  2. Being in nature in this way can allow you to discharge accumulated EMF – it is a form of grounding
  3. I suspect that the air you breathe is full of natural antimicrobials – let’s face it, trees survive in a forest because of their natural antimicrobials
  4. If you do this free from devices, it can be deeply relaxing, which can be incredibly healing
  5. It can help us to reconnect with nature – which traditionally we have always been well aware of

I have seen research some years ago now, that found that the benefits of one-hour of forest bathing last for 7 days.

So even if you live in the city, you should be able to carve out an hour a week to do this.

Where can you create some time to be in nature?

Habit #4: Be a Labels Sleuth

Whilst there is a lot to learn about reading labels, there is a lot you can learn by doing this.

If you took a moment to review the labels of products as you pick them off the shelf, you might be surprised at what you see.

If I could encourage you to eliminate one ingredient…

It would be fragrance (also listed as perfume or parfum).

By cutting out fragrances, you could reduce your daily chemical exposure dramatically because…

Fragrances require so many chemicals to make them!

There are loads of other ingredients you can omit, too…

But fragrances are the best place to start.

Also, some products don’t necessarily have an ingredients list…

So, this is where you can put your nose to use and have a sniff of it.

Tip: toilet paper and sanitary products are often fragranced…

Instead, you may choose to focus on an ingredient in food.

Which ingredient are you going to target?

eco-health-solutions natural

Habit #5: Need or Want?

When you are about to make a purchase, stop and think:

Do I actually need it?

If not, then consider why you want it.

The goal here is not to accumulate too much “stuff.”

Accumulating can lead to issues in terms of safety (trip-hazards), pests, dust (and house dust mites) and may even become a hygiene issue if cleaning becomes difficult.

We created a rule many years ago that you might like to adapt or adopt…

For every item that we buy, we need to pass on three to charity.

When I do this, I tend to really get into it, and often can fill a large garbage bag with goodies that would benefit from a new home.

It is surprisingly liberating to pass things on to charity…

What can you put in place, so you remember to ask, “Do I really need it?” when making a purchase?

5 New Habits

There you go – there are five new habits to propel you towards a home or workplace that supports your health.

Let me know how you go with them!

 

Would You Like More Help? Book a Hidden Hazards Hotline Call here >>

 

References:

A. Green, M. Cohen-Zion, A. Haim & Y. Dagan (2017): Evening light exposure to computer screens disrupts human sleep, biological rhythms, and attention abilities, Chronobiology International, DOI: 10.1080/07420528.2017.1324878

Is My House Making Me Sick? Pt2

by | air fresheners, detoxification, fragrances, high frequencies, indoor environmental health, mobile phone, perfumes, personal care, personal care products, radiofrequencies, scents, self-care, sleep, VOCs, water damage

Is My House Making Me Sick?

PART 2

>> Is My House Making Me Sick? Part 1 is here <<

3. Sleep… in peace!

There is a lot of emerging research that shows device use interferes with our sleep, and that blue light can damage our eyes.

The mental stimulation when Googling things, interacting on social media, and even video calls can make it hard to sleep.

Our tablets, smart phones and smart watches contain LED lights.

The evening use of such devices which has been associated with:

  • Poor quality sleep,
  • Reduced concentration the next day,
  • Poor mood, and
  • Reduced accuracy…

… According to recent research.

As well, there is a reduction in melatonin – a hormone that has antioxidant actions.

Antioxidants play an important role in detoxification and keeping us healthy.

When we began this conversation, I shared with you about the importance of sleep in the healing. Anything that interrupts sleep, for whatever reason, needs to be reduced.

Send this to my inbox

Did You Know?

Did you know that apps used to measure sleep have uncovered an insomnia epidemic?

BUT did you also know that the wireless technology required for these apps to function has been linked to sleep disturbances?

“What Can I Do?”

At the very least, don’t sleep with your phone!

4. Smell… naturally lovely!

I want to tackle the topic of “fragrances” here. Fragrances are in everything from perfumes, air fresheners and deodorisers. They are in our laundry products, sanitary protection, and even in our cosmetics. Nappies, doggy-do bags, and toilet paper also are scented… and that is just the tip of the iceberg!

If you ever see this word on a label, it means “a cocktail of many ingredients.” Fragrance, parfum and perfume all mean the same thing, when reading labels.

The ingredients used in perfumery are primarily chemicals, most of which haven’t been tested for safe use by humans, some that have been tested really aren’t good for us (causing cancer, irritating our skin and lungs, messing with our hormones…).

Our exposure to fragrances is enormous and our bodies need to deal with this. For some people, this constant exposure is physically exhausting.

Did You Know?

Did you know essential oils are a better option that synthetic fragrances? But please bear on mind that they are very potent – so use sparingly and avoid using them 24/7. For people who are environmentally sensitive, even these can be problematic. Please use them with care (and NEVER eat/drink them).

“What Can I Do?”

Don’t buy anything that contains fragrance, parfum or perfume.

Send me a copy, please!

5. Stay… mould-free!

Have you noticed there has been a lot of media stories about mould and how it is making people sick? It has definitely attracted a lot of attention, and was the subject of a 2018 Parliamentary Inquiry, instigated by Senator Lucy Wicks. Mould comes in many different colours, and it doesn’t have to be black to cause health problems.

Mould spores are everywhere and play an important role on our planet. Only 25% of the spores can grow, the other 75% are “dead” (that said, it doesn’t make them less problematic for someone who is sensitive).

However, we don’t want mould growing in our homes.

When you think about it, all mould is waiting for is the right conditions to grow. This centres on the right amount of moisture. Moisture can come from leaks, burst pipes, spills, condensation and many other places.

Did You Know?

Did you know that flexible braided hoses (the bendy pipes on your taps and toilets) account for over 20% of water damage claims in Australian homes? They only last for around 5-7 years and erode faster in the presence of chemicals. (What is under your sink?)

“What Can I Do?”

Deal with water quickly – mop up spills, fix leaks, dry out anything that has become wet within 24-hours.

I trust this has given you a lot to go on with…

If you have any concerns, or want to get in touch, please book a call.

Lucinda, can you call me?

Reading Labels 101

by | cleaning, indoor environmental health, informed choice, personal care

Reading Labels

In this post, we are going to explore reading labels.

Why?, I hear you ask.

Because although I believe we have the right to trust that anything that is available to us has been tested and determined to be safe, the reality is that for many reasons, this is not always the case.

The personal care industry is self-regulated, cleaning products don’t require labelling, medicines list “active ingredients” and excipients (but that may not be everything), and foods are required to list all ingredients, but inadvertent ones are missing (eg phthalates leached from plastic packaging). Trade secrecy also allows manufacturers to not have to list the ingredients in a fragrance – and this can be up to hundreds of ingredients!

My goal here is to provide you with some skills in interpreting the information so that you can make an informed choice.

Reading Labels – Food

reading labels

The reading labels journey starts with this packet of rice milk.

Please note: I am not denigrating a brand, just using this as an example.

Here are some things I wanted to point out  – 

1. The Lactose & Gluten-Free claim – TRUE – but not necessary

Lactose is a sugar found in dairy milk – so “naturally” free from it makes sense.

Gluten is not normally in rice-based products, unless there is a cross-contamination issue.
(An easy way to remember gluten-containing food, thanks to Coeliac Australia, is BROW – barley, rye, oats and wheat.)

2. “Made form at least 83% Australian Ingredients”

#mustknow label reading: ingredients are always listed in descending order. This means that the first on the list is present in the highest amount, and the last on the list is present in the smallest amount.

So, when the second ingredient is sitting at 15%, you know there is quite a bit of water; and that there is equal to or less than 15% of the oil, calcium and salt. I am hazarding a guess here, but that 83% Australian ingredients may in fact be WATER, or at least a large amount of the Australian ingredients is water!

 

Reading Labels – Personal Care Products

reading labels

The #mustknow reading labels rule for food also applies to #personalcare products. In fact it applies to everything.

Expanding this understanding, we will break any ingredients list into thirds.

The first third make up 90-95% of the total ingredients, the second third 5-8% and the final third make up a teensy 1-3% of the total.

This image is of a poster I often use when teaching people this very concept.

This is how some products have 95% certified organic ingredients, but still contain chemicals. Many of the chemicals added (especially fragrances, preservatives, etc) only need to be present in minute quantities.

Once you have your list, either get the Chemical Maze App.

This is one of my favourite resources as it is great for additives in food AND ingredients in personal care and cleaning products, and #bonus was developed by fellow Australian Bill Statham (SOOOO nice to have a locally created mega-useful resource!).

Another great alternative is the Environmental Working Group’s Skindeep database where you can check out each ingredient.

reading labels

Reading Labels – Cleaning Products

cleaning

Most cleaning products don’t have an ingredients list because they are not required to.

So how do you find out what it is made from?

You need to get your hands on a MSDS or SDS – a Material Safety Data Sheet or a Safety Data Sheet.

Simply do an internet search for the brand, product and MSDS, or contact the manufacturer and ask for one.

Once you have the list, you go off to your Chemical Maze App (this is good for food, personal care and cleaning products) and search away.

There is a lot to reading labels – but this should get you started.

If you would like to chat about it, please join our social media groups and join in the conversation.

Facebook 

#readinglabels #food #personalcare #cleaning

Sick Building Syndrome: Is Your Workplace Healthy?

by | air pollution, building biology, buildings and health, chemically sensitive, chemicals, cleaning products, drinking water, ehs, electromagnetic radiation, EMF, environmental sensitivities, health, high frequencies, humidity, indoor air quality, indoor environmental health, mobile phone, mold, mould, perfumes, personal care, radiofrequencies, VOCs, water damage

“Sick Building Syndrome” is a term that has been around for a few decades to explain how and why people are affected by their buildings. As a building biologist, I am frequently assessing the health of buildings (whether they are sick or not) and how they may impact upon the health of the occupants – be that at home or at work.

Guest author Jennifer Bennett discusses sick building syndrome in relation to the workplace.

Sick Building Syndrome: Is Your Workplace Healthy?

Does it sometimes seem like everyone in your office is coming down with something?

Are you and your colleagues constantly coughing and sniffling, or complaining of headaches, dizziness and nausea?

Or perhaps you’re just really tired all the time?

And yet, when 5 o’clock rolls around and you’re on your way home, you start to feel a lot better.

You might be thinking that you just hate being at work!

Could it be more..?

However, there may be something other than burnout or a bad bout of the flu to blame.

If you’re experiencing odd symptoms that disappear when you go home, your building may well have a case of Sick Building Syndrome.

This is a somewhat mysterious condition that causes general feelings of ill health in occupants of a building, including headaches, aches and pains, skin irritation, fatigue and shortness of breath.

The precise causes of Sick Building Syndrome haven’t been identified, but the general consensus is that it’s a symptom of environmental problems within a building.

People first started reporting Sick Building Syndrome in the 1970s, when economic pressures and oil embargoes forced architects and engineers to design more airtight office buildings to cut energy costs.

As a direct result, indoor air quality drastically worsened, as polluted air became trapped in buildings rather than being recirculated outside.

Chemical pollutants such as VOCs and biological contaminants such as mould then gradually rose in concentration, resulting in the health problems in employees that we now call Sick Building Syndrome.

Poorly designed ventilation systems also resulted in uncomfortable temperatures and high humidity levels, which can further encourage mould growth.

What is the Impact?

A poor working environment doesn’t just have health implications – it can also have a profound economic impact on businesses.

Sick Building Syndrome drastically reduces productivity, with poor indoor air quality estimated to cost employers around $15 billion a year in worker inefficiency and sick leave.

It’s also been noticed that Sick Building Syndrome is most common in open plan offices, and it’s unlikely to be a coincidence that employees in open plan offices also take on average 62% more sick days than those in cellular offices.

It’s clear that something needs to be done.

This infographic…

Paint Inspection have designed this infographic to tell you everything you need to know about this important topic.

Covering everything from the symptoms and causes, to the costs to businesses and some actionable solutions, we’re sure you’ll leave this blog feeling more equipped to deal with your unhealthy office building!

About the Author

Jennifer Bennett is the Content Writer at Paint Inspection, a UK-based coating inspection and surveying company.

Want to learn more about how you can create a healthier workplace?
Book a call so we can create a plan for you. >>

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