The Harmful Truths About Plastic Kitchen Utensils

With all the “healthier living” information floating around these days, the last thing you probably have thought about are your plastic kitchen utensils. More specifically, how harmful they are for your health and the environment.

While traditional petrolium-based plastic kitchenware has been around for a long time and being the go-to, more information is being discovered that shows how this material isn’t as trustworthy as we once thought it was.

In this guide, we’re going to look at the effects of plastic on the environment and human health so you can be more aware of the materials you’re using daily, and how to stop for healthier alternatives.

The Effect of Plastic on the Environment

Before we talk about the health effects of plastic, it’s important to know the effect of petroleum-based plastic on the environment. Plastic pollution has dramatically increased in recent years and has seeped into our oceans, threatening marine life. But the threat isn’t limited to the ocean. 

Ocean plastic pollution is only a small part of the problem. Other areas of our environment like the air we breathe and land ecosystems have also been severely impacted. 

Plastic pollution starts when people buy, use, and then discard items like plastic kitchenware, water bottles, and other items made from plastic. Plastic is not a biodegradable material. So when plastic items are thrown away, they sit in landfills or oceans for extremely long periods of time, harming the ecosystems from their threats. 

The influx of plastic materials can harm marine or land animals by choking them, trapping them, or injuring them. On top of the physical threats plastic items have, they also damage the environment even more from the chemicals they release as they slowly break down.

Because of the chemicals that are used to make petroleum plastic, greenhouse gases are released into the air during production and decomposition. This pollutes the air we breathe and contributes to climate change because of the carbon dioxide that’s released into the air. 

But sadly, the air isn’t the only thing that’s compromised. The soil can also be severely impacted when plastic makes its way into the ground. When plastic kitchenware or water bottles release microplastics, these tiny particles disrupt the soil’s natural structure and alter water retention ability and the nutrients. 

So just to recap, here’s the harmful effect of plastic on the environment:

• An increase in ocean plastic pollution

• Physical threat to animals

• Polluted air

• Severely damaged soil 

4 Human Health Effects of Plastic

While plastic pollution has certainly overtaken our oceans and land ecosystems, the damage doesn’t stop there. There are several health effects of plastic that are posing everyday risks for you the more you’re exposed to plastic kitchenware. 

Here are the four major health concerns that can arise in your body from plastic materials. 

Chemical Leaching

Whenever you use items like plastic kitchen utensils or plastic water bottles, there’s an invisible process occurring known as chemical leaching. “Chemical leaching” is when the chemicals that are used during the production process to make the plastic item releases into the air and eventually lands on whatever is around, like food, your skin, surfaces, and more. 

The problem comes from the chemicals that are being released and landing on these surfaces. Many plastic items are constructed with chemicals like BPA, Phthalates, and more. These chemicals are known to be endocrine disrupting and cause an increase in the health concerns we are getting ready to touch on. 

Respiratory Problems

Respiratory problems are one of the biggest health concerns these chemicals can cause when leached. Over time, these chemicals harbor in your body to increase their levels and can trigger allergic reactions, asthma, and even lung disease. 

Every plastic kitchenware item and plastic water bottle releases tiny particles called microplastics, which is what brings the leached chemicals to your skin and body. If you’re someone who already deals with respiratory problems, these issues can be heightened the more you use anything made from plastic. 

Increased Cancer Risk

Another big health concern from plastic is an increased risk of cancer. BPS, another chemical used to produce plastic items, is sometimes used in place of BPA. BPS promotes several health risks when ingested from plastic, like obesity, decreased sperm counts, and effects on the nervous system. But the biggest concern is its tie to breast cancer. 

Studies have shown that BPS increases the production of ERα breast cancer cells, but BPS isn’t the only chemical that’s been found to increase a cancer risk. It’s also been found that BPA and phthalates also have a link to cancer since their endocrine disrupting effects alter hormone levels and cell proliferation in the human body. 

Developmental Impacts

Constant plastic ingestion can affect anyone of any age, including babies and children. There are several developmental and prenatal impacts chemical leaching from plastic can cause, such as:

• Pre-term birth and low birth weight

• Slower growth for children

• Brain development impairment

• Immune system dysfunction

• Neurological effects 

Save Your Health and the Environment

While plastic pollution and human health risks are certainly running rampant, they can be decreased! Not only are there several ways you can stop plastic pollution, but there are several ways you can make sure your body avoids the influx of chemicals:

• Ditch single-use plastics for reusable alternatives.

• Shop for plastic-alternative kitchenware items. 

• Look for products that say they’re recycled or BPA free. 

• Support businesses that promote sustainability. 

The good news is that these are lifestyle changes you can get started with today! To help cut down on the health effects of plastic and its damage to the environment, Bamboozle has a line of sustainable kitchenware items you can shop today!

We have products specifically designed to make your kitchen a sustainable and functional place while also improving the environment. Our line of sustainable composting bins allows you to collect kitchen scraps for your at-home compost pile that improves the health of your soil!

Ditch your traditional plastic kitchen utensils today for items that are better for your health and the world around you.