Have you ever eaten a bank card? It's highly unlikely that you have – or at least not consciously. Because as a matter of fact, we ingest a large amount of miniscule plastic particles, also known as microplastics, via the food that we eat and the air that we breathe. According to a number of estimates, each of us consumes a total of five grams of microplastics in a week, which is equal to the weight of a bank card.

The good news is that a big percentage of this plastic leaves the body again without our even noticing. For healthy people with a well-functioning immune system, this amount can be non-hazardous. Regardless of this, the topic of microplastics is cropping up more and more, which brings up the question of how damaging the particles are over the long term. As there are so many different kinds of plastic, it's not yet possible to make an exact prognosis.

One thing that's certain is that our consumption of microplastics is increasing, and with it, the probability that they're doing damage inside our bodies. In the digestive tract and in the lungs in particular (places where a large quantity of microplastics accumulate from eating and breathing), the particles can cause inflammation or tissue damage. Viruses and bacteria can also adhere to the particles, making it easier for these pathogens to enter the body. We already know that certain types of plastic, such as softening agents, can cause cancer. Another problem is that the very smallest of the particles, known as nanoplastics, can even pass through cell walls and possibly cause cell damage.

How do plastics get into our food?

Tips on how to avoid microplastics:

• Pick up plastic waste out in nature and dispose of it properly. The less plastic there is in the environment, the less plastic there will be in our food.
• Use cutlery, bowls, etc. made of wood or glass instead of plastic.
• Drink from glass bottles instead of plastic bottles. Even just opening the plastic lid of a plastic bottle can create debris that ends up in our water.
• Buy textiles made of cotton or other natural fibres as they won't shed microplastics into the waste water when you wash them.
• Buy less plastic by opting for fresh products without packaging.
• Separate your waste properly.
• Drive your car less frequently.

For your health: santé24 and SWICA Benecura

Do you have a health question? Our physicians and healthcare professionals at santé24 are available 24/7 on +41 44 404 86 86 for SWICA customers. In addition to telephone health advice, patients whose conditions are appropriate for telemedicine can receive medical services such as diagnostics, treatment, and even e-prescriptions for prescription medications.

Do you feel ill? The SWICA Benecura medical app makes it easy to carry out a digital SymptomCheck. You will receive a personal recommendation about what to do next. Send your information in encrypted form to the santé24 online practice for your telephone consultation to significantly shorten the assessment.