Microplastics Are Everywhere: Interview with Environmental Scientist
Microplastics Are Everywhere—Here’s How to Protect Your Family
When we started Whole Bunch Club, microplastics were one of the first things that pushed us down the non-toxic rabbit hole. But let’s be honest—this topic is overwhelming. From baby bottles to tea bags to your kid’s favorite stuffed animal, plastic is everywhere. So I sat down with environmental scientist and microplastic researcher, Dana Zhaxylykova to find out what parents actually need to know—and what small, meaningful changes are worth making.
Dana became the first microplastics researcher to be published in all of Central Asia and she now shares science-backed info on the hidden plastics all around us: in our food, in our water, and even in products marketed as “safe.” One of the most surprising revelations? Silicone sheds microplastics too—especially when heated.
But this conversation isn’t about fear. It’s about awareness, empowerment, and doing what we can. Dana offers practical, parent-friendly tips you can start today, like:
Swapping plastic cutting boards for wood or glass
Avoiding hot food in plastic containers
Choosing 100% cotton stuffed animals
Eating more fermented foods to reduce chemical impact on gut health
Opening windows and vacuuming regularly to reduce indoor microplastic buildup
💡 And yes, even “food-grade” and “microwave-safe” plastics can still shed particles.
Despite the shocking facts, Dana ends the interview with hope: “We’re at a moment in history where we still have time to act.”
🎥 Watch the full interview below to learn more, and check out our simple swaps and tips to reduce exposure at home—without losing your mind.
In this video:
0:00 Introduction to Microplastics Research
3:06 The Pervasiveness of Microplastics
4:24 Understanding Plastic: Types & Concerns
7:18 The Impact of Microplastics on Health
9:54 Is Silicone a Safer Alternative?
14:58 Microplastics in Everyday Products
15:41 Can You Detox from Microplastics?
19:07 BPA, Phthalates, and Food-Grade Plastic: What do they Mean?
20:44 Easy Swaps to Reduce Plastic Exposure
29:16 The Shocking Lack of Regulation
32:57 Advocacy: Joining the Fight Against Plastic Pollution
Citations & Additional Reading:
Dana’s Paper in Marine Pollution Bulletin
Phthalate exposure from plastics and cardiovascular disease: The Lancet
Steam disinfection releases micro(nano)plastics from silicone-rubber baby teats: Nature Magazine
Story of Stuff: Advocacy Organization
Dana Zhaxylykova is a microplastics researcher and science communicator passionate about environmental, sustainability, and microplastics. She shares educational content on Instagram as @dankazh, where she breaks down complex topics like plastic pollution, and microplastic exposure for a wide audience. Dana has published scientific work on microplastics in Kazakhstan and is currently co-authoring research on faster microplastic detection methods in Germany.
“We’re at a moment in history where we still have time to reduce the impact of microplastics, if we act now.”
In this powerful interview, environmental scientist Dana Zhaxylykova explains where microplastics show up in our homes, how they affect our health, and what parents can do to reduce exposure—without the stress. A must-watch for anyone trying to raise healthy kids in a plastic-filled world.