Plastic, Hormones, Fertility, Health : What the Science Actually Says | Dr. Leo Trasande
Plastic is in our blood, organs and tissues. But what is it actually doing to us?
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Leonardo Trasande, pediatrician, environmental health researcher, professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and author of Sicker, Fatter, Poorer, to separate what we know from what we're still trying to understand about plastics and human health.
We unpack the difference between microplastics themselves and the chemicals associated with plastic—including phthalates, bisphenols and PFAS—and what the research suggests about hormones, metabolism, fertility, pregnancy and children's development.
We get into some big questions: Can tiny exposures really matter? Can chemical exposure affect our ability to maintain a healthy weight? What does "BPA-free" actually mean? Are bioplastics safer? Can you sweat microplastics out in a sauna? And if plastic exposure is now so widespread, how much power do our individual choices really have?
Leo also gives me a rapid-fire plastic audit of everyday items—from takeaway containers and water bottles to dishwashers, canned food, silicone and polyester—and shares the changes he has made in his own home.
Most importantly, this conversation isn't about being afraid of everything around us. Leo explains why reducing certain exposures can make a measurable difference, where to focus first, and why he remains hopeful that both individual action and systemic change can shift where we're headed.
We cover:
• Microplastics vs. plastic-associated chemicals
• Endocrine disruptors and low-dose exposure
• Fertility and reproductive development
• PFAS, metabolism and weight
• Pregnancy and children's development
• The hidden health costs of plastic
• Why BPA-free doesn't necessarily mean bisphenol-free
• "Regrettable substitution" and chemical whack-a-mole
• Bioplastics and supposedly safer alternatives
• The biggest plastic exposures to reduce at home
• Whether sauna can help remove plastics
• What Leo recommends for parents
• Why regulation needs to change
• And where Leo sees real reason for hope
A science-heavy conversation that ultimately left me feeling surprisingly hopeful.
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