Written By Michael Spence
The word "microplastics" is everywhere. Used alone, it’s not very helpful.
These are simply tiny fragments of plastic. To actually protect human health, we need to know what these particles are made of.
Not all plastic is the same. The danger comes from the specific chemicals in the plastic, how they leach out, and where they end up. By treating "microplastics" as a single thing, we miss the chance to fix the problem at its source.
Lab studies and environmental testing keep pointing to the same groups of substances that ride on or inside plastic particles:
- Phthalates: Used to soften plastics. They are known endocrine disruptors and have been linked to changes in reproductive health and hormone balance.
- Bisphenol A (BPA): Used in polycarbonates and epoxy resins. It mimics estrogen and has been associated with metabolic issues and increased risk for breast, prostate, and ovarian cancers.
- PFAS: The "forever chemicals." They don’t break down, accumulate in organs, and have been tied to weakened immune response and liver stress.
- Heavy metals and carcinogens: Toxins like cadmium and benzene can be additives in plastic, or adsorb onto plastic particles in water and soil, turning the particle into a carcinogenic delivery vehicle.
These are not inherent to all plastics. They are choices made in manufacturing. So what’s the solution?
If the problem is chemical composition, the solution has to be chemical composition too. Banning straws won’t address this.
For manufacturers and regulators:
- Screen and phase out high-risk additives in plastics that contact food, water, and children’s products. Prioritize phthalate-free, BPA-free, and PFAS-free formulations.
- Mandate disclosure of the exact additive mix in food containers and packaging, the same way we list ingredients on food.
- Invest in safer materials for food storage: glass, stainless steel, and plastics engineered without persistent endocrine disruptors.
For the individuals I recommend:
- Reduce heat + plastic contact*. Don’t microwave food in plastic, and avoid storing hot, fatty, or acidic foods in low-grade plastic containers.
- Choose food-grade materials* for daily use. Glass or stainless containers for leftovers, and a reusable water bottle made without BPA and PFAS.
- Filter drinking water* where PFAS and plastic residue are known issues in local supplies.
Talking about microplastics without naming the chemistry is a distraction. It makes the problem feel vague and unsolvable.
The actionable path is clear: identify the hazardous additives, remove them from products that touch our food and bodies, and give people safer alternatives they can actually use every day.
Ministry of Health Jamaica, elsewhere in the Caribbean and the world.
We don’t need less awareness of plastic. We need more chemical specificity.
Michael Spence
Michael Spence is a graduate of Cornwall College and the University of the West Indies. He is a trained teacher, a sociologist, and a writer for Bark Di Trute.
Micspen2@hotmail.com
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