Random Thoughts

Plastics

by Robert
I went to the movies to see The Graduate when it first came out in 1967.   I think the draw was the name and what I knew of the premise.  It was about a guy who had recently graduated from college and the beginning of his new life.
I, too, was in college thinking about my future so that may have influenced my interest. It was either late in my sophomore year or early in my junior.  In any case, I’m fairly certain I went with my friend Gary.  I don’t think we had dates because I don’t recall having the funds to do so.
There was a cocktail party early in the film welcoming The Graduate home.   Dustin Hoffman played the male lead, Benjamin Braddock.  There’s an iconic quote in the film.
“Plastics.  There’s a great future in plastics. Think about it.  Will you think about it?” 
Hoffman was receiving well-intentioned but misguided advice about his future.
I’m doing some rearranging of my current life, including a reduction in my use of plastic, and the line from the movie popped into my head.  I did a little research and learned that plastics became mainstream in the 1970s, so perhaps the advice that Hoffman received would have served him well.
As widespread as plastics are used, they’ve come under fire because of their role in pollution and the health industry.
When I Googled it, I found this explanation regarding our health. There are three primary pathways by which microplastics enter the human body:
  • Ingestion: Consuming contaminated food and water is a major source. Bottled water, seafood, and even organic produce can harbor microplastics. For instance, studies estimate the average person ingests about 5 grams of microplastics weekly, equivalent to a credit card’s worth.
  • Inhalation: Airborne microplastics, especially from synthetic carpets or clothing, are inhaled into the lungs, where they can enter the bloodstream.
  • Skin Absorption: Microplastics in cosmetics or personal care products with microbeads can be absorbed through the skin, adding to the body’s toxic load.

Once inside, microplastics can accumulate in organs like the liver, kidneys, lungs, and even the brain, as they are biologically inert and not easily broken down by the body. 

I think the best course of action, and perhaps the easiest, is to avoid ingestion, inhalation and skin absorption as much as possible.  Read the labels on the products you plan to purchase. Don’t drink bottled water and avoid plastic food containers that are found on the shelves of grocery stores.  Opt for glass as much as possible.  Become more like the folks in California and the enlightened throughout the rest of the world.

At home, you can trash your plastic storage containers and get glass like I’m doing. I’m becoming more enlightened as I focus on my health.

I’ve learned that fruits, vegetables and whole grains support detoxification.  Drinking water helps flush out toxins.  So does sweating.  Engaging in regular, sweat promoting, physical activity can help.  Intermittent fasting helps as well. If you’re not eating, you’re not ingesting.  Those dietary suggestions help in weight loss too. Who knew?

I’m cutting plastic and pounds in my new way of life.  It’s win-win for me all the way around.

As for The Graduate, he had an affair with a married woman, struggled with finding himself, and found the girl of his dreams.  I don’t recall what happened with the plastics.