Tuesday, March 24, 2026

The Plastic Detox

In this affecting documentary, an epidemiologist asks six couples struggling to conceive to reduce their exposure to plastics and see if it helps. The results are startling - and prove that we should all make changes now

Posted by HeliumRat at 11:30 AM | 10 COMMENTS | permalink

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In "The Plastic Detox," a new documentary out Monday on Netflix, couples explore whether cutting out plastic can improve reproductive health. But it's hardly a perfect experiment.

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-- The New York Times (@nytimes.com) Mar 16, 2026 at 11:50 AM

Comments

Set yourself on fire, or, find a tall building or parking structure and jump.

It'll only take a minute.

#1 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2026-03-23 09:12 PM

Lemme just drop this here as, Obligatory:

www.youtube.com
1 min

AND

"Yes, paper coffee cups are typically lined with a thin plastic layer"usually polyethylene (PE) or sometimes a plant-based bioplastic (PLA)"to make them waterproof and heat-resistant.

This lining makes them notoriously hard to recycle in standard facilities and can release thousands of microplastic particles into hot beverages within minutes."

more

www.google.com

#2 | Posted by Corky at 2026-03-23 09:52 PM

I did a plastic cup experiment when I was at a large software company in the Pacific Northwest.

I kept re-using the same disposable coffee cup for as long as I could.

After a month it started leaking a bit.

The only way that happens is if a tiny bit of the cup itself dissolves every time you put hot coffee in it.

So yeah we're flooded with plastics and it's also necessary for civilization so boo hoo.

Better to use oil for plastics than burn it, is where I choose sides. And obviously use less plastics. A single use non-reneewable coffee stir doesn't really need to exist. And it especially doesn't need to exist inside its own single use non renewable thin film biologically unavailable plastic packaging.

#3 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-03-23 10:12 PM

In my old days plastic was Tupperware and Revell model kits (oooh that glue...) and assorted other mostly toy stuff... Oh I get the threat.... but plastic wrap has to be on the top 10 greatest inventions list....

#4 | Posted by South_American at 2026-03-23 10:22 PM

an don't be forgettin them records....

Yes, vinyl is a type of plastic, specifically known as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). It is a versatile, synthetic material made from chlorine and ethylene, widely used in products like flooring, piping, siding, clothing, and packaging due to its durability, flexibility, and moisture resistance.

#5 | Posted by South_American at 2026-03-23 10:25 PM

When I was younger I should have eaten more plastics apparently.

Whenever I got back home from extended duty abroad all I had to do was look at my wife and she'd get pregnant.

It took five kids and a nearly empty bank account before I finally figured the problem and "fixed" it.

#6 | Posted by donnerboy at 2026-03-24 12:08 PM

I'd be curious to see the parenting that the photographed couple brings to the table.

Reproduction: hardly a perfect experiment in any case.

#7 | Posted by Dbt2 at 2026-03-24 12:38 PM

It took five kids and a nearly empty bank account before I finally figured the problem and "fixed" it.

#6 | Posted by donnerboy at 2026-03-24 12:08 PM | Reply | Flag
You offed your mailman?

#8 | Posted by MBlue at 2026-03-24 12:41 PM

We use glass or metal whenever possible.

Unfortunately, for the kids getting away from prewrapped snacks is nearly impossible.

#9 | Posted by jpw at 2026-03-24 02:26 PM

#9 | Posted by jpw

I hear what you are saying and I have been moving in that direction for quite some time now. Honestly Glass but the seals still shed plastics. It is impossible to avoid plastics in food. So much of our food period is in plastic and all processed foods go through plastics. My canning lids have plastic seals... Canned store bought product all flows through plastic. Fruits, vegetables, Bread, etc. are packaged int it. I have metal drink containers like Yeti's that I use at work and play but the tops are still plastic.

Interestingly, something I read in an article not long ago about Glass bottles for things are worse than the plastic ones. This is just one of the articles on it. It is however a good dose of microplastics and bottles information.

#10 | Posted by GalaxiePete at 2026-03-24 05:51 PM

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