As Prescribed: UCSF researchers studying health risks of microplastics

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS RADIO) – Very few of the 80,000 chemicals used commercially in the U.S. are regulated. At the behest of the California legislature, a UCSF researcher is now studying the health risks of microplastics and has some recommendations for how consumers can avoid them.

Dr. Tracey Woodruff, Professor of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Reproductive Sciences at the UCSF School of Medicine and Director of the UCSF Environmental Research & Translation for Health Center, joined KCBS Radio's Bret Burkhart on this week's "As Prescribed" to discuss her research and the dangers of microplastics -- which are, quite literally, everywhere.

"We're seeing the growth of plastic production in general, and we're finding microplastics in every place that we look, whether it's in the environment or in people," she said. "We can't see them, but we are eating them, breathing them and drinking them."

Then, Dr. Woodruff dropped a bombshell.

"The estimates are that people are consuming about a credit card-worth of plastic a week," she said.

Microplastics in our bodies can elevate the risk of cardiovascular disease, fertility problems and digestive cancers, according to Dr. Woodruff's research.

But what can we do about this? Her advice is pretty simple.

"You can do things to change your lifestyle to reduce your exposure to microplastics or other toxic chemicals," she said, adding that her number one tip is "don't microwave in plastic."

"Choose containers that are not plastic, so reusable and refillable glass or stainless steel water bottles," she said. "Try and focus on foods that you prepare at home that are single ingredient and fresh -- fresh foods that are not wrapped up in a lot of plastic."

Another tip: chemicals and microplastics tend to aggregate in dust, Dr. Woodruff said, so things like taking off your shoes before entering the house, using HEPA filters when you vacuum and wet mopping can reduce your exposure to small particles.

Listen to this week's "As Prescribed" to learn more. You can also listen to last week's episode reflecting on the COVID-19 pandemic, four years later, with a UCSF infectious disease doctor, here .

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