7 Kitchen Items That Could Have You Accidentally Eating Microplastics

Opting for plastic-free materials in your home isn't just about being eco-friendly. Particularly in the kitchen, forgoing plastic is also a way to reduce your consumption of microplastics, tiny plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in size that are everywhere we look: in our dust, air, water, fabrics, cleaning products and yes, even our food . To avoid ingesting microplastics when you're simply trying to enjoy a meal, there are certain kitchen staples you'll want to stop using in favor of microplastic-free alternatives. CNET's Guide to Nontoxic Cookware See at CNET Are microplastics bad for our health? Microplastics have become a significant environmental concern, and scientists are now concerned about their potential health effects. An estimated 22 million micro- and nanoplastic particles are inhaled by humans each year, and that is largely because they are so hard to avoid. You're exposed to microplastics in three ways : inhalation, ingestion or touch. Read more: My New Favorite Air Fryer Is Completely Nontoxic and Easy to Clean Microplastics have been linked to various health issues in the human body. Microplastics and nanoplastics found in blood vessels have been linked to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke and even death. Tissue inflammation, cell death and lung and liver impacts have all been noted . In animals and marine life, they can also cause oxidative and DNA damage, as well as cancer. Mice were shown to have reduced sperm count, ovarian scarring and hereditary metabolic disorders. Much is still unknown about the exact effects of microplastics, but studies so far have been sobering. They've inspired many home chefs to reconsider what they use in the kitchen and put in their bodies. Microplastics are plastic particles smaller than 5 millimeters. Nanoplastics are much smaller and invisible to the naked eye, ranging from 1 to 1,000 nanometers -- a fraction of the width of a human hair. Svetlozar Hristov/Getty Images Where microplastics hide in the kitchen Microplastics are more common than you think. These are some places they may be hiding in your kitchen. 1. Nonstick cookware A new study found that plastic and nonstick cookware released microplastics into food during cooking, heightening one's exposure to these potentially harmful pollutants. Australian researchers estimate that Teflon-coated cookware contains thousands, maybe millions, of microplastic particles, while a simple crack or fracture in your pan could mean exposure to more than 2 million microplastic particles. 2. Plastic food containers Your Uber delivery could inadvertently be damaging your health, and it has nothing to do with what you order. With the rise of home delivery services, plastic containers are more common than ever, but these containers can easily add microplastics to your food when heated or washed. One study found that all reusable plastic takeout containers typically used by restaurants contain microplastics. 3. Plastic utensils Plastic utensils