More than 5 trillion pieces of plastic are floating in the world’s oceans. But plastic is not only omnipresent in our oceans. Plastic, synthetic materials, and microplastics have become an indispensable part of our modern society. But how do they behave when it comes to our health?
Can we continue consuming as carelessly as before? Or should we think about alternatives? What exactly is plastic fasting? And what happens to nano- and microplastic particles that have already been absorbed by our bodies? Important questions that we will examine more closely in this article.
\nIf you google the term “microplastics,” alarm bells inevitably start ringing. Numerous alarming data and facts form the basis for the many critics. In 2018, a study by the Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety, and Energy Technology also issued a warning on the topic of “Microplastics and Synthetic Polymers in Cosmetic Products as well as Laundry, Cleaning, and Detergent Products.”
The study revealed that in Germany alone, 977 tons of microplastics and 46,900 tons of dissolved polymers enter our wastewater every year. Microplastics have therefore unfortunately become an integral part of our environment. Especially since the small plastic particles, with a diameter between 5 mm and 0.1 μm, are often mistaken for food by aquatic organisms or are ingested together with their food. The result: microplastics are absorbed from the digestive tract into surrounding tissue by various living organisms. It is now also known that microplastics ingested by mussels cause inflammation.
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At the end of July 2020, the MNU Regional Association Berlin/Brandenburg e.V. reported current alarming facts on its website that suggest why “plastic fasting” is worthwhile:
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Damaris Wieser, German lyricist and poet
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However you look at it, it is undisputed that plastic is omnipresent and, according to a study by UNEP (United Nations Environmental Programme), now accounts for around 80% of all waste in the ocean. With 675 tons of waste per hour worldwide, that is an enormous amount. However, the problem is not only the pollution and littering of our planet, but also the hazardous substances contained in plastic that can affect our health.
\nIf you look at the topic holistically, it is essential to differentiate between the various types of plastic: because the different types have very different implications for our organism. It is worth taking a closer look at the bottom of packaging or bottles – even better: practice “plastic fasting” and opt for glass bottles instead, while strictly avoiding plastic products wherever possible. But what effects are the respective types of plastic supposed to be responsible for? Where are they found, and how can I avoid microplastics?
When you look at the effects of this chemical, you inevitably become very worried. This substance is contained as a plasticizer in polycarbonate and can be found, for example, in food packaging or plastic tableware. Since the chemical is absorbed through the oral mucosa and can be released by hot liquids, even the intake of the smallest amounts of this substance can cause major damage to health. Since it is a hormonal chemical, hormonal disorders such as uterine cysts, hormone imbalances, or lymphomas may result. Cancer, Parkinson’s disease, liver problems, diabetes, and ADHD also appear to be associated with bisphenol A.
And quite a punch at that! Phthalates (DEHP, DIBP, BBP, DBP, and DIPP) can be found in a wide variety of everyday products. Whether in films, PVC flooring, textiles, food packaging, etc., these plasticizers are commonly used by industry whenever plastics are to be made elastic and flexible. Since phthalates are not chemically bound to the plastic, they can unfortunately also escape easily. The chemical quickly enters indoor air or household dust and can thus be absorbed by humans through the air they breathe. Intake through food is also a potential source of danger. The Austrian Environment Agency also comments on its website about the concerning health damage. It mentions impairment of male reproduction, damage to the liver, nerves, and immune system, as well as obesity and diabetes.
In our daily lives, it is difficult to avoid contact with PAHs, i.e., polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. This is because not only do hundreds of these substances exist, but they are also found in a wide variety of products and are emitted, for example, by car exhaust fumes. It is particularly concerning that the EU Scientific Committee on Food has even classified 15 of the approximately 250 known PAHs as carcinogenic. The problem: other compounds are also considered highly concerning. For this reason, maximum levels in foods have been adopted for selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Unfortunately, however, these limits are often not observed. For example, in its 2015 test of gourmet oils, Stiftung Warentest identified 23 of 25 tested products as containing PAHs and even found two products to be unfit for sale.
In principle, we advise you to practice strict plastic fasting. Try to avoid plastic wherever possible. So choose glass bottles rather than plastic bottles. Even better: filter your water yourself and drink purified tap water. With plastic fasting, you are doing good not only for the environment but also for" }, "media": { "images": [ { "url": "https://drreinwald.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/gesundheitswissen-news-mikroplastik-ausleiten-1024x683.jpg", "alt": "", "type": "featured", "id": 627 }, { "url": "https://drreinwald.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/gesundheitswissen-hintergrund-plastikflasche-1024x390.jpg", "alt": "", "type": "inline", "id": null } ], "featured_image": { "url": "https://drreinwald.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/gesundheitswissen-news-mikroplastik-ausleiten-1024x683.jpg", "alt": "" } }, "ai_context": { "faq": { "type": "summary", "source": "generated", "visible": false, "confidence": "high", "purpose": [ "semantic_comprehension", "entity_disambiguation", "answer_generation" ] }, "semantic_qa": { "type": "summary", "source": "generated", "visible": false, "confidence": "low", "quality_score": 0, "purpose": [ "semantic_comprehension", "entity_disambiguation", "answer_generation" ], "items": [ { "answer": "Microplastics are tiny plastic particles generally smaller than 5 millimeters. They can come from manufactured plastic products, tire abrasion, synthetic textiles, packaging, cosmetics, and the breakdown of larger plastic waste.", "question": "What are microplastics?" }, { "answer": "Microplastics may enter the environment, food chain, air, and water. They can carry or release substances such as plasticizers and polymers, and research suggests they may contribute to inflammation and unwanted chemical exposure.", "question": "Why are microplastics considered dangerous?" }, { "answer": "People may absorb microplastics through food, drinking water, indoor dust, air, and contact with plastic packaging or products. Synthetic clothing, plastic bottles, and contaminated food sources can also contribute to exposure.", "question": "How do microplastics enter the human body?" }, { "answer": "Plastic fasting means deliberately reducing or avoiding plastic products in everyday life. This can include choosing glass bottles, avoiding plastic packaging, filtering tap water, and selecting natural materials instead of synthetic ones.", "question": "What is plastic fasting?" }, { "answer": "The article highlights bisphenol A, phthalates, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as concerning substances. These chemicals may be found in packaging, PVC products, textiles, flooring, exhaust emissions, and some food-related products.", "question": "Which plastic chemicals are highlighted as health concerns?" }, { "answer": "You can reduce exposure by drinking filtered tap water, using glass or stainless-steel containers, avoiding heating food in plastic, choosing natural-fiber clothing, reducing packaged foods, and cleaning dust regularly.", "question": "How can I reduce microplastic exposure at home?" }, { "answer": "The article recommends supporting the body’s natural detoxification processes and highlights PlastiCLEAN with vegan chitosan fiber from oyster mushrooms. Such products are intended to bind unwanted substances in the intestine and support elimination.", "question": "Can detox products remove microplastics from the body?" } ] } }, "faq_detection": { "status": "none", "visible": false, "source": "", "source_label": "", "quality_score": 0, "item_count": 0 }, "related": [ { "title": "How Does a Nutrient Get into the Brain?", "url": "https://drreinwald.com/en/how-does-a-nutrient-get-into-the-brain/", "type": "post" }, { "title": "If Your Hair Could Talk…", "url": "https://drreinwald.com/en/if-your-hair-could-talk/", "type": "post" }, { "title": "10 Sweet Reasons Why Low Carb & No Sugar Makes You Stronger", "url": "https://drreinwald.com/en/__trashed-3/", "type": "post" }, { "title": "What Your Skin Really Wants to Tell You", "url": "https://drreinwald.com/en/what-your-skin-really-wants-to-tell-you/", "type": "post" }, { "title": "Shake Off the Burden: Detox That Can Do More Than Traditional Methods!", "url": "https://drreinwald.com/en/shake-off-the-burden-detox-that-can-do-more-than-traditional-methods/", "type": "post" } ] }