Microplastics and Mycotoxins in Everyday Items

Let's talk about toxins. Specifically, let’s talk toxins from molds and plastics. Because both cause serious harm to humans (and other lifeforms). The more you know about them, the better equipped you are to take control of your health and exposure. So today we’re talking about mycotoxins and microplastics, what they are, why they matter, where you find them, how they negatively affect us, and how to avoid them (or at least minimize your exposure to them).

The Plastic Problem, and the Rise of Microplastics

Plastics! These days, it’s impossible to avoid them. Since they showed up on the scene in the 1950s, plastics have become a staple, permeating every aspect of modern life due to their durability, versatility, and cost-effectiveness. From clothing to electronics, tires to toys, and cosmetics to baby bottles, plastics crop up in millions of everyday products. And the market for plastic materials continues to expand, which does not bode well for the health and well-being of everything on the planet, including us humans.

There are many problems that stem from plastics. Most commodity plastics have low physical and biological degradability, not to mention they are often disposed of improperly. As a result, secondary microplastics, or microscopic plastic particles, are formed as these improperly disposed of plastics disintegrate. Exposure to environmental elements (water, wind, sunlight, and heat) releases billions of plastic particles into the environment. So does general wear and tear of items like synthetic fabrics like yoga pants or car tires (which shed plastic particles during driving).

As a result, we are accumulating a disturbingly large amount of plastic waste all over the planet, as evidenced by the fact that these microplastics are showing up everywhere from the top of Mount Everest on down to the depths of the Mariana Trench. But not only are they all around us. They are also more and more frequently inside us, showing up in our bodies. Studies of water worldwide revealed they have been found in nearly 100% of the tap water tested. They appear in fruits, vegetables, rice, table salt, beer, wine, the list goes on and on. These days, it’s nearly impossible to eat anything without ingesting plastic particles.

As the global issue of microplastic pollution continues to worsen, concerns regarding the potential damage these tiny particles may cause to the human body are on the rise. While the exact effects of microplastics on our health are not yet fully understood, a growing number of researchers are highlighting reasons for concern.

But What Exactly Are Microplastics?

Microplastics (MPs) are defined as plastic pieces less than 5 millimeters across, and their miniscule size has allowed them to infiltrate the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat. They've been found in our lungs, spleen, liver, and kidneys. They are so widespread, in fact, they have even been found in human breastmilk and blood! To put it bluntly, if it’s made of plastic, it is shedding MPs.

There are two types of MPs – primary and secondary. Primary MPs are specifically manufactured as microplastics. Think of the microbeads that used to be in exfoliating face washes (and which are now, thankfully, banned). Secondary MPs are not intentionally made. They form when larger plastic pieces break down.

(Also, there are even tinier MPs, known as nanoplastics, that make MPs look like giants). Suffice it to say, the world we live in is inundated with plastic.

Microplastics and Health

As the global issue of microplastic pollution continues to worsen, concerns regarding the potential damage these tiny particles may cause to the human body are on the rise and a growing number of researchers are highlighting reasons for concern. The obvious one is, we just don’t know what damage they are doing to us, but we do have plenty of evidence they are doing damage in other life forms, many of which we consume. If MPs are negatively affecting them, why wouldn’t they negatively affect us?

Another concern is rooted in what we do know, which is that many of the chemicals added to plastic, in order to enhance its properties, are known to have negative impacts on human health. Certain plastic particles may contain chemicals that have been found to interfere with the body's hormones, for example. Phthalates, used to make plastic more pliable, have been linked to adverse effects on fetal development and reproductive problems in adults, as well as insulin resistance and obesity. Bisphenol A (BPA), which is commonly used to harden plastic, has been found to disrupt the endocrine system and cause developmental issues in children as well as reproductive and metabolic problems in adults. Flame retardants used in electronics are associated with a range of negative health effects, including endocrine disruption, reproductive problems, and behavioral issues. Polypropylene-based feeding bottles, used for baby formula, shed MPs and are ingested by infants.

A recent landmark study in the New England Journal of Medicine did an analysis of artery-clogging plaque in over 250 patients. The study found that the presence of MPs in that plaque quadrupled the patient’s likelihood of stroke, heart attack, or death, making MPs a potential major driver of cardiovascular disease.

Inhaling microplastic particles could potentially irritate and damage the lungs, similar to other types of particulate matter. In fact, another recent study reported that MPs showed up in 11 pf 13 samples of human lung tissue in the upper, middle, and lower lobes, providing solid evidence that we are clearly breathing them in. While the data is still in its infancy, given that air pollution is known to damage the lungs, it’s more than likely that MPs – a kind of pollution – are likely doing the same.

Though human studies are far behind, studies on mice have shown that MPs are responsible for disrupting gut biomes, lowering sperm quality and testosterone levels, fueling inflammation, and negatively affecting memory and learning ability.

No matter how you look at it, MPs should give us all cause for concern and something we should do our best to avoid.

Reducing Microplastic Exposure

Though it’s near impossible to avoid MPs, there are things you can do that will help limit your exposure. The following are some of the best ways to do so:

• Improve ventilation at home by opening windows, vacuuming regularly, and using air purifiers to eliminate dust, which often contains microplastics.
• Avoid using cosmetics and personal care products containing microbeads.
• Choose clothes made from natural materials like cotton, linen, and hemp instead of synthetic fabrics like acrylic and polyester.
• Use specialized devices like laundry balls, laundry bags, and filters during washing to prevent microfibers from entering waterways.
• Avoid heating plastic containers in the microwave (even if they claim to be food grade) and never leave plastic water bottles in the sun.
• Drink filtered water. Use a high-quality filtering system like the Berkey water filter.

Ultimately, the best solution is to reduce overall plastic consumption to decrease plastic pollution and thereby minimize the amount of microplastics that end up in the air and water.

What Are Mycotoxins

Mycotoxins are toxic compounds produced by mold or fungi, which can be found in living and working spaces as well as in a variety of foods such as cereals, dried fruits, nuts, coffee beans, apples, and spices. They can also penetrate into food. These harmful substances can pose a significant threat to both human and animal health. In fact, even a small amount of mycotoxins can be hazardous. One of the main risk factors is something called mycotoxicosis, which can be serious enough to result in death.

One common cause of mycotoxicosis? Moldy coffee! Yes, mycotoxins are particularly prevalent in coffee. While that’s bad news for coffee drinkers, the good news is that properly roasting coffee beans will render the product mold-free and prevent mycotoxins from taking root.

Several hundred types of mycotoxins exist, but the most common ones that present health concerns for humans and livestock are aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, patulin, fumonisins, zearalenone, and nivalenol/deoxynivalenol.

Not all toxic compounds produced by fungi are mycotoxins, by the way. For example, some toxins produced are only toxic to bacteria (such as those found in antibiotics like penicillin) or plants (phytotoxins). Mycotoxins are the ones that specifically affect vertebrates like us humans.

What Causes Mycotoxins?

Several conditions cause the formation of these toxins (and contribute to their spread). The most common are:

• Poor harvesting practices
• Exposure during transport, processing, or sales of crops
• Environmental factors

It’s important to note that the mold that produces mycotoxins can develop before or after harvesting, during storage, or on the food itself and typically under warm, humid, and damp conditions. It’s also important to note that these compounds are typically chemically stable and can survive food processing. That’s why it’s so crucial to check for any signs of mold or decay on your whole grains, dried fruits, and nuts.

Because mycotoxins rarely grow on dry, clean, and properly stored food, you can help prevent mycotoxin exposure by buying only the freshest and undamaged dried goods and storing them in environments that aren’t too warm and are free from humidity and insects. Avoid keeping food for an overly long period of time as well. Eating a diverse diet is also helpful, as it reduces mycotoxin exposure while also improving overall nutrition.

Mycotoxins can also exist in our living and working spaces, so we need to be just as vigilant about the conditions around us as the conditions within us. They can be found on just about any surface or material, and they particularly love walls and floors in humid and/or closed-in spaces (like bathrooms). Any action you can take to prevent mold from getting a foothold is an action you should be taking.

Floor coverings are an often overlooked gathering hub for mycotoxins. They settle onto floors and into rugs and carpeting. Then, as soon as you disturb them by walking on them, they float back up into the air and, unfortunately, into your nose and lungs. Thorough, regularly scheduled cleaning of carpets and rugs and mopping of floors is imperative to keep these nasty little toxins at bay.

Office breakrooms can also be hubs for mycotoxins to thrive. If you see mold growing anywhere or notice a ceiling leak in your workspace, point it out immediately to the janitorial staff so they can take the proper steps to rectify the situation.

Mycotoxins and Health

Mycotoxins cause a variety of health issues in addition to mycotoxicosis, from the annoying but non-life-threatening athlete’s foot to the more seriously invasive aspergillosis, lung and immune system damage, and digestive issues. Chronic exposure has been linked to cancer and other immune deficiencies.

Exposure to mycotoxins can occur by consuming contaminated food directly or indirectly (especially through milk) and happens in two different ways: acute and chronic. Acute symptoms show up rapidly and intensely, presenting as a severe illness very soon after consuming the toxins. Examples of this would be turkey X syndrome, human ergotism, and stachybotryotoxicosis.

Chronic symptoms, on the other hand, show up slowly over an extended period of time (these are typically the result of prolonged exposure to small amounts of mycotoxins). This shows up in the way of different types of cancers, kidney toxicity, chronic fatigue, and immune system diseases.

Whether acute or chronic, both situations are bad news for your body.

It’s important to note that mycotoxins are not only ingested. You can also inhale them or be exposed to them through contact with your skin. Inhalation of these toxins is particularly problematic. These mycotoxins can cause a wide range of symptoms, with respiratory issues being the most common - sinus congestion, sore throat, coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath, which can ultimately lead to hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Prolonged exposure to high concentrations of mold spores, including the infamous black mold toxin and aspergillosis, can result in biotoxicity or neurotoxicity due to the accumulation of these toxins in the body.

Continued exposure to these toxins can also cause immune, nervous, and endocrine system dysregulation, leading to symptoms like headaches, fatigue, generalized pain, depression, cognitive difficulties, rashes, weight gain, and digestive inflammation from spore ingestion. It's essential to take proper measures to prevent exposure to mold spores and ensure the safety of your surroundings. One of the absolute best ways to do that is to ensure the mold doesn’t grow in the first place, by making sure your home is properly ventilated and all wet and damp areas like showers are cleaned and disinfected regularly.

When it comes to contact with the skin, mycotoxins are typically only an issue if the skin they come into contact with is broken. Otherwise, the skin has thus far proven remarkably resistant to penetration by mycotoxins. That said, touching anything contaminated with mycotoxins and then putting your fingers in your mouth is another story altogether. Yet another reason why washing your hands is a great habit to get into.

If there are any key takeaways from all of this, it’s that these toxins are all around us, and one of the best ways to deal with them is to educate yourself about them so you can do your best to minimize the level of exposure you have to them. I hope this primer helps!

If you are concerned that you have been exposed to mold and are dealing with health issues as a result, one of the best ways to determine how the mycotoxins are affecting you is to test, don’t guess. The Vibrant Total Tox panel is a great next step for identifying toxins that may be trapped in the body. You can order the Total Tox test here.

Alternatively, I would be delighted to discuss your health challenges with you and provide you with guidance on your next best steps.