How to Avoid BPA and Microplastics

If you’ve been trying to “clean up” your daily routine, two buzzwords keep appearing: BPA and microplastics. They aren’t the same, but they often travel together because modern life depends on plastics, coatings, and synthetic materials.

This article explains what BPA and microplastics are, where they might be hiding, what science says about health risks, and the most practical ways to reduce exposure—especially in your kitchen, water, and daily habits.

What is BPA?

BPA (bisphenol A) is a chemical used to make certain plastics and resins. Historically, it’s been common in:

• Polycarbonate plastics (hard, clear plastic)
• Epoxy resins are used as protective linings in food and beverage cans

BPA matters because it can mimic or disrupt hormones in the body—this is why it’s often called an endocrine disruptor. Human observational studies have linked increased BPA exposure to various detrimental reproductive, developmental, and metabolic effects.

BPA-free… but still not worry-free

Many products now say “BPA-free,” but manufacturers may swap BPA for similar chemicals like BPS or BPF. These substitutes can have similar hormone-like activity in lab testing, so “BPA-free” is helpful—but not a magic shield.

What are microplastics (and nanoplastics)?

Microplastics are plastic particles typically defined as smaller than 5 millimeters—tiny fragments, fibers, and beads. Nanoplastics are even smaller and are harder to detect, but are increasingly found in food, water, and the environment. 

Microplastics come from two big buckets:

1. Breakdown of larger plastics (packaging, bottles, containers, car interiors, household items)
2. Shedding of synthetic fibers (polyester, nylon, acrylic) during wear and washing

They can enter the body through ingestion (food/water), inhalation (indoor dust/air), and potentially dermal contact (less clear, but possible depending on context).

Where BPA is commonly found

1) Food and beverage cans

Many cans still use epoxy linings that can contain BPA (though this is changing over time and varies by product and region). These linings help prevent corrosion and extend shelf life, but they can also be a source of exposure.

2) Plastic food containers (especially when heated)

Certain plastics and additives are more likely to leach when they’re heated, scratched, or exposed to acidic/fatty foods.

3) Paper receipts

Paper receipts may contain BPA or BPS. Certain occupations, such as cashiers who frequently handle receipts, might have higher exposure—wearing gloves can help reduce it.

Where microplastics commonly show up

1) Water 

Microplastics and nanoplastics have been found in both bottled and tap water. Their levels depend on treatment systems, packaging, and measurement methods.

2) Food (especially highly processed or highly packaged items)

Microplastics can enter food via packaging, processing equipment, and environmental contamination. Seafood is often discussed because it can accumulate microplastics from the environment.

3) Indoor air and dust

Indoor environments are full of plastic and synthetic fibers. Friction and wear (car interiors, furniture, rugs, clothing) can create tiny particles that end up in dust and air.

4) Clothing and textiles

Synthetic fabrics shed microfibers, especially in the wash and dryer.

Health risks

BPA: hormone disruption and downstream effects

Because BPA can interact with hormone receptors, research has focused on sensitive life stages (pregnancy, infancy, childhood) and on systems influenced by hormones (reproduction, metabolism, neurodevelopment). 

Regulators have also reevaluated BPA safety. In 2023, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) significantly lowered its tolerable daily intake. 

Microplastics: inflammation, oxidative stress, and emerging human evidence

Microplastics may cause inflammation and oxidative stress, as they have been found in human blood.

Detection of micro- and nanoplastics has been observed in carotid artery plaques, where their presence was linked to an increased risk of certain cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes.

Microplastics may also pose risks during pregnancy and early development, as they have been detected in placental tissue. BPA can interfere with hormone signaling during key growth stages. The biggest worries include brain development and behavior—prenatal/early-life exposure has been linked with possible changes in attention, anxiety-like behaviors, and learning/memory—along with reproductive development.

How to avoid BPA and microplastics

1) Upgrade your food storage 

If you do only one thing, do this:

• Use glass, stainless steel, or ceramic for leftovers and meal prep.
• Avoid heating food in plastic (in the microwave or oven). Heat increases leaching and plastic breakdown.
• Retire old, cloudy, or scratched plastic containers—damage increases shedding and migration.

2) Rethink canned foods 

Cans are convenient, and not all can linings are the same. To reduce BPA-related exposure:

• Choose fresh or frozen when it’s easy (especially for acidic foods like tomatoes).
• Look for brands that state non-bisphenol linings.
• Mix in more foods packaged in glass jars or paper cartons.

3) Don’t marinate “hot + fatty” in plastic

Fatty foods can pull more chemicals from certain materials. Practical swaps:

• Store oils, nut butters, and sauces in glass when possible.
• Don’t pour boiling liquids into plastic.
• Let hot food cool a bit before lidding.

4) Handle receipts like they’re mildly toxic

You don’t need to fear the checkout line—just reduce contact:

• Decline receipts when you can, or choose digital receipts.
• Don’t let receipts live in your wallet, car cupholder, or toddler’s hands.
• Wash your hands before eating if you’ve been handling receipts a lot.
• If you work with receipts all day, consider gloves—research suggests this can reduce exposure.

5) Drink water in a way that fits your life

Because bottled water can contain micro- and nano-scale plastic particles, many people choose to reduce single-use bottles and use a reusable bottle.

Practical approach:

• Use a stainless steel or glass bottle.
• If your tap water is safe but tastes off, a home filter can help—choose based on local water quality needs (lead, PFAS, etc.). For microplastics specifically, research and product claims vary; focus first on reducing single-use plastics and improving overall water quality.

6) Reduce microplastics in your home air 

• Vacuum with a HEPA filter if possible.
• Wet-dust hard surfaces instead of dry sweeping (which re-aerosolizes dust).
• Air out your home regularly (especially if you have lots of carpet/upholstery).
  

7) Laundry choices that reduce microfiber shedding

When you’re buying new:

• Choose natural fibers more often (cotton, linen, wool).
• Wash synthetics less aggressively (cold, gentle cycle).
• Consider a microfiber-catching laundry bag or filter if you wash lots of synthetic athletic wear.

Takeaways (what to do)

• Glass and steel where food and water touch.
• Less heat + plastic (especially microwaves).
• Fewer receipts in your hands and fewer single-use bottles in your routine.
• Cleaner indoor air through dust control and ventilation.

Done consistently, these habits can meaningfully cut exposure—without turning life into a science experiment.

FAQ: BPA and Microplastics

1) What does “BPA-free” actually mean?

“BPA-free” means the product isn’t made with bisphenol A, but it may contain other bisphenols (like BPS or BPF) or different additives. BPA-free is still generally a better default, but the safest approach is reducing heat and wear on plastics and choosing glass or stainless steel for food and drinks.

2) Is BPA only in plastic bottles?

No. BPA can also show up in epoxy linings inside some canned foods and beverages and in paper receipts. So avoiding BPA isn’t only about bottles—it’s about food packaging and everyday contact items too.

3) Are microplastics mainly a seafood problem?

Seafood gets attention because it’s exposed to environmental plastic pollution, but microplastics have been found in water, indoor air/dust, salt, packaged foods, and more. 

4) What’s the single biggest change to reduce exposure?

Avoid heating food in plastic and move daily food/drink contact to glass or stainless steel where practical. Heat and friction increase leaching and shedding.

5) Do microwaves “make plastic toxic,” or is it about the container?

It’s mostly about the container. Heat can increase migration of chemicals (like bisphenols) and can increase plastic breakdown/shedding—especially in older, scratched, or low-quality plastics. Using microwave-safe glass is a simple workaround.

6) Should I stop eating canned foods entirely?

Not necessarily. Canned foods can be an affordable nutrition staple. A practical approach is to reduce frequency, choose fresh/frozen for high-use items (like tomatoes), and look for brands that specify alternative linings when possible.

7) Do water filters remove microplastics?

Some filtration methods can reduce particles, but real-world performance depends on the filter type and the size of particles measured. If your goal is lower plastic exposure, the most reliable step is often reducing single-use bottled water and using a stainless steel or glass bottle with a trusted home water setup.

8) Are kids and pregnant people at higher risk?

They may be more vulnerable because developing bodies can be more sensitive to hormone-disrupting chemicals and environmental exposures.

9) Are “compostable” or “biodegradable” plastics safer?

Not automatically. Some compostable materials still shed fragments and may include additives. Safety depends on the exact material, certifications, and how it’s used (especially with heat). For hot foods and daily use, glass and stainless steel are still the most reliable choices.

10) What are the quickest low-effort swaps I can make this week?

Switch to a reusable stainless steel/glass water bottle, store leftovers in glass, stop microwaving food in plastic, and choose digital receipts when possible. These four changes cover a large portion of routine exposure for many people.

References:

1) Rochester JR. “Bisphenol A and human health: a review of the literature.” Reproductive Toxicology (2013).
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23994667/

2) Hafezi SA, Abdel-Rahman WM. “The Endocrine Disruptor Bisphenol A (BPA) Exerts a Wide Range of Effects in Carcinogenesis and Response to Therapy.” Current Molecular Pharmacology (2019).
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6864600/

3) Semerjian L, et al. “Detection of bisphenol A in thermal paper receipts…” PLOS ONE (2023).
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0283675

4) Lee I, et al. “Bisphenol A exposure through receipt handling…” Environment International (2018).
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0160412018301144

5) EFSA (European Food Safety Authority). “Bisphenol A (topic page) – 2023 re-evaluation & TDI update.”
https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/topics/topic/bisphenol

6) Ramírez V, et al. “Risk assessment of food contact materials – EFSA Journal (2023)” (includes BPA TDI update discussion).
https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/j.efsa.2023.e211015

7) NIH Research Matters. “Plastic particles in bottled water” (Jan 23, 2024).
https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/plastic-particles-bottled-water

8) Leslie HA, et al. “Discovery and quantification of plastic particle pollution in human blood.” Environment International (2022).
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412022001258

9) Marfella R, et al. “Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Atheromas and Cardiovascular Events.” New England Journal of Medicine (2024).
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2309822

10) Ragusa A, et al. “Plasticenta: First evidence of microplastics in human placenta.” Environment International (2021).
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412020322297

11) Zhang X, et al. “Microplastics and human health: unraveling the toxicological…” (Review, 2025).
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12213550/

12) Stanford Medicine (Insights). “Microplastics and our health: What the science says” (Jan 29, 2025).
https://med.stanford.edu/news/insights/2025/01/microplastics-in-body-polluted-tiny-plastic-fragments.html

About the Author:

Dr. Ray Rivas is a medical doctor, former trauma surgeon, and the founder of Innerbloom Ketamine Therapy, a clinic dedicated to advancing mental health care through innovative treatments. With a deep passion for holistic wellness, he also leads Newy, a nootropic supplement company designed to support brain health. Drawing on decades of clinical expertise, a career focused on mental health, and personal experiences with growth and healing, Dr. Rivas is devoted to empowering individuals with the tools they need to achieve lasting mental and physical health.

Disclaimer:

The content provided on this blog and website is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Newy supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new supplement, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are taking other medications.