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Microplastics have been in the news quite a bit in recent months after several studies pointed to potential links to health risks.
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In April, a new class action lawsuit claims that Ziploc bags and containers contain undisclosed microplastics that can harm consumers.
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A spokesperson from SC Johnson says that “Ziploc products are safe when used as directed and that the lawsuit is without merit.”
Ziploc bags and containers have been such a presence in Americans’ lives for decades that most people don’t even think twice about using them. But a new class action lawsuit is raising a lot of questions about the safety of this food storage staple.
The lawsuit, which was filed on April 25 by California resident Linda Cheslow and shared by About Lawsuits, alleges that Ziploc bags and containers contain undisclosed microplastics that can harm consumers, and that marketing them as “microwave safe” and suitable for “freezer” use is misleading, since they’re made from “materials that scientific and medical evidence shows release microplastics when microwaved and frozen.”
A spokesperson for SC Johnson says that the company believes “Ziploc products are safe when used as directed and that the lawsuit is without merit. Microplastics have unfortunately become pervasive in our environment — in the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe, and they come from many sources. For families concerned about these issues, we share the concern and have been working for years to raise awareness, push for global plastic regulation, and invest in smarter solutions.”
In case you’re not familiar with them, microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic that have become pervasive in the environment, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. They have also been detected in human and animal tissue.
Microplastics have, unfortunately, been linked to a slew of potential health issues lately, including heart disease and dementia, making this lawsuit a hot topic. Here’s what the lawsuit claims, plus what toxicologists want you to keep in mind.
Meet the experts: Kelly Johnson-Arbor, MD, a toxicologist at MedStar Health; Jamie Alan, PhD, an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University
What does the lawsuit say?
The lawsuit is filed against Ziploc maker S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. It’s a class-action lawsuit, which means it was filed on behalf of anyone around the country who has bought Ziploc bags and products.
The suit alleges that some Ziploc products are marketed as microwave- or freezer-safe but release microplastics when they’re microwaved or frozen. This makes them “fundamentally unfit” for what they’re advertised for, the lawsuit claims.
The lawsuit says that the company’s claims are “unfair, unlawful, deceptive, and misleading” for consumers. SC Johnson, on the other hand, has told Women’s Health its products are safe when used as directed.
The suit specifically flags these products, but notes that these aren’t the only ones that may contain microplastics:
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Ziploc Freezer Bags Pint/Small
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Ziploc Freezer Bags Quart/Medium
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Ziploc Freezer Bags Gallon/Large
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Ziploc Slider Freezer Bags Quart/Medium
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Ziploc Slider Freezer Gallon/Large Bags
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Ziploc Slider Storage Bags Quart/Medium
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Ziploc Slider Storage Bags Gallon/Large
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Ziploc Container
S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. did not respond to Women’s Health’s request for comment by deadline.
Do Ziplocs contain microplastics?
The company says online that its bags and “Endurables” line are made without BPA or phthalates, but doesn’t elaborate on what they’re actually made of.
The lawsuit claims that Ziploc bags and containers are made with polyethylene and polypropylene, both of which have been linked to the release of microplastics when they’re microwaved or frozen.
What are potential health risks of microplastics?
Microplastics and their potential health risks have been all over the news lately, so it’s understandable to have questions about the ways you might come into contact with them, and how that might impact your health. Jamie Alan, PhD, an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University, says that it would “logical to believe that all plastic products come with some level of personal and environmental risk.”
Scientists are still trying to parse the potential impact of microplastics on health but, as previously mentioned, there is some research linking these particles to dementia and heart disease.
Microplastics have also been linked to oxidative stress, or an an imbalance of unstable molecules called free radicals in the body and not enough antioxidants to get rid of them. Long-term oxidative stress has been tied to the development of chronic inflammation, cancer, and other diseases.
Still, “we aren’t totally sure what the long-term consequences of exposure to microplastics is,” Alan says. “It is important to remember that it is likely the cumulative exposure to microplastics that will determine the long-term impact,” she adds.
Overall, Alan recommends minimizing your use of plastic containers when you can. “There are other bag alternatives, like wax paper bags,” she says. “Glass or metal containers would also be an option.”
Kelly Johnson-Arbor, MD, a toxicologist at MedStar Health also suggests being aware of your plastic use—and avoiding heat when you use plastic containers. “It is nearly impossible to entirely avoid exposure to microplastics in our daily lives, but reducing our use of single-use plastic products may be beneficial for the environment as well as human health,” she says. “Avoid reheating food in plastic containers when possible.”
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