I thought my pizza and cookies were to blame for feeling lousy—turns out, it might have been my spatula.
A few months ago, I woke up feeling terrible. Again. Sluggish, headaches, just blah. I blamed the cookies that I had been mindlessly snacking on and threw them out. Then I thought, maybe it was that leftover pizza. But I never once thought the culprit could be something as innocent as the utensils or cookware I was using daily.
That was until I stumbled upon an article about microplastics—the tiny, nearly invisible fragments of plastic that can seep into your food during cooking or meal prep. Suddenly, my scratched nonstick pans looked suspicious. My old plastic spatulas seemed sketchy.
I started wondering how much of that plastic might be ending up in my body over time. It turns out that scientists estimate we consume 39,000 to 52,000 microplastic particles every year. A NORCE and Plymouth Marine Laboratory study even found that jelly made with old plastic kitchenware had 78% more microplastics than jelly made with new items.
But where are they coming from? I did a deep dive, and frankly, I’m just about ready to throw out half my kitchen. Let’s look at the worst offenders together.
Nonstick Cookware (Teflon/PTFE)
The trusty nonstick pan makes flipping pancakes a breeze and cleanup a dream. But what happens when that nonstick coating starts to wear out?
Turns out, it flakes off into your food. Studies from 2024–2025 found that a single scratch on a worn nonstick pan can release around 9,100 micro- and nanoplastic particles, while broken or degraded coatings can unleash up to 230,000 microplastic particles over the course of regular cooking.
As these pans age, both the quantity and size of microplastics released increase, especially if exposed to higher cooking temperatures.
Dr. Matthew Cole, a Senior Marine Ecologist, confirms this. He says, “Plastic and PTFE-coated cookware can contaminate food through release of microplastics, especially if the items are damaged or scratched.” So much for that “perfect” omelet, huh?
Plastic Food Containers
We’ve all done it (I know I did it plenty of times). You pop last night’s leftovers into a plastic container and zap it in the microwave for a quick lunch. Super convenient, right?
Well, a study conducted by Kazi Albab Hussain and colleagues revealed something pretty gross. Heating food in those plastic containers can release between 100,000 and 260,000 microplastic particles every single time. And up to 4 million microplastics and 2 billion nanoplastics per square centimeter of container in just three minutes of heating.
Takeout containers made from materials like polyethylene, polystyrene, and polypropylene are major sources, especially when heated. Research further found that frequent takeout consumers could ingest 12 to 203 microplastic particles per meal.
It makes you rethink that whole meal-prep Sunday, doesn’t it?
Plastic Utensils (Spoons, Spatulas)
Those plastic spatulas and spoons are so handy for stirring and serving. But have you ever noticed how they get worn down over time? Where do you think that plastic goes?
If you guessed “into my food,” you’d be right. Old plastic utensils shed microplastics at high rates, especially when used with hot food. Additionally, some black plastics are recycled from electronic waste. Over 85% of tested household black plastic items, including kitchen tools, contained hazardous flame retardants such as decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE).
These chemicals leach into food during cooking and serving, and can disrupt hormones, damage immune and reproductive systems, and have been linked to increased cancer risk.
Even single-use disposable cutlery isn’t safe. A single use can release hundreds of microplastics. Maybe it’s time to go back to good old-fashioned metal spoons.
Plastic Cutting Boards
I always thought plastic cutting boards were more hygienic than wood. They’re easy to clean and don’t seem to hold onto germs. But what they do hold onto is a whole lot of plastic.
A 2025 study published in Scientific American shows that you can transfer up to 196 microplastic particles per ounce of meat just by cutting it on a plastic board. In comparison, bamboo boards transferred none. Experts warn that “plastic cutting boards are a major source of microplastic contamination.”
Scientists estimate that annual exposure from just one plastic cutting board could be as high as 79.4 million microplastics for polypropylene and up to 50.7 million for polyethylene.
The older and more scratched up your board is, the more particles it releases. So, that board you’ve had since college? It’s probably time to say goodbye.
Sealants Around Sinks and Countertops
This one was a surprise. The sealants around sinks and countertops, especially those made from silicone or acrylic, break down over time. Over time, daily cleaning and water exposure release microplastics onto kitchen surfaces and into your dishwater, and eventually into food.
Recent Raman imaging experiments revealed that silicone sealants can shed particles as small as 50 nanometers, with notable debris and fragments detected during typical kitchen use or aging of the sealant. Another systematic review found that kitchen silicone sealants can release an average of 2–10 microplastic particles per cleaning session.
This is a sneaky source most of us would never consider.
Plastic Tea Bags
A nice, hot cup of tea is one of life’s simple pleasures. But your tea bag might be ruining the experience. Many tea brands use plastic mesh bags, and they are a huge source of microplastics.
How huge? Steeping a single plastic tea bag in hot water can release up to 1.2 billion microplastic particles per milliliter of brewed tea, plus tens of millions more nanoplastics with each cup. These particles range in size from 136 nanometers to several microns, making them easily absorbed by human intestinal cells.
I nearly spit out my tea when I read that. Experts now recommend switching to paper or silk tea bags to avoid a plastic-infused brew.
Plastic-Based Water Filters
Plastic-based water filters in many kitchens can also be a problem. The plastic cartridges and housings can shed microplastics into your drinking water, especially when scratched or during filter changes.
Studies found that point-of-use (POU) water filters with worn or damaged plastic components can release plastic fragments back into the filtered water. While high-quality reverse osmosis (RO) and microfiltration (MF) systems can remove up to 95% of microplastics from tap water, basic pitcher filters with plastic mesh might actually increase them if wear occurs.
Researchers emphasize regular maintenance and careful replacement of filter cartridge to minimize this risk: “Plastic filter housings and mesh can degrade over time, releasing PVC, PET, and nylon fragments—especially after multiple replacement cycles”.
Plastic Blenders and Food Processors
Making a smoothie or a frozen margarita? If your blender has a plastic jar, you might be getting more than you bargained for. Crushing hard foods like ice can be particularly rough on the plastic.
Dr. Cheng Fang from the University of Newcastle, who led one of these studies, warns that a blender can release billions of microplastic particles in just 30 seconds. He explains, “If the ice block has a sharp edge…it can peel off lots of plastic.” Suddenly, that health shake doesn’t seem so healthy.
Pre-Packaged Spices in Plastic Jars
Even your spice rack isn’t safe. Many spices come in plastic jars, and over time, microplastics can leach from the packaging into the spices themselves. A 2025 CNET investigation found microplastics present in all plastic spice containers tested, regardless of spice type.
This happens especially when the containers are opened and closed a lot. The constant friction and exposure to air can break down the plastic. So, you could be seasoning your food with a dash of plastic along with that paprika.
What Can We Do About It?
Feeling a little overwhelmed? Me too. The stats are pretty scary (I was scared sh*tless at first). Americans ingest between 39,000 and 52,000 microplastic particles per year, and a lot of that comes from our own kitchens. A 2024 review estimated that cookware alone could contribute up to 4,964 microplastics to our food each year.
As Professor Amy Lusher from the Norwegian Institute for Water Research says, “It’s coming from our cooking. It’s coming from our packaging. It’s in most of our bottles.” Are we even safe anymore?
But the good news is that people are starting to notice. A 2025 Grove Collaborative survey found that 86% of US respondents are concerned about microplastics in their homes. This has led to a growing trend of switching to glass, stainless steel, and bamboo kitchenware.
You don’t have to throw everything out tomorrow. Start small. Swap out one item at a time. Every little change helps reduce your exposure. Your body will thank you for it.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
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