At 48, Orlando Bloom still looks as fresh-faced (and drop-dead gorgeous) as when he started out in Hollywood three decades ago. It’s unsurprising, then, that the Lord of the Rings star is no stranger to rejuvenating – and often intrusive – procedures, from purging his body with frog poison to ingesting bentonite clay to cleanse his digestive system.
But the actor’s latest treatment might be his wildest yet. Bloom headed to London’s Clarify Clinic for a £10,000 procedure where a machine supposedly removed the microplastics from his blood.
Orlando Bloom, 48, has undergone a £10k blood-cleaning procedure
The sci-fi–sounding process, known as plasmapheresis, involves filtering the blood to remove synthetic nasties, or microplastics, less than 5mm in size: the kind we unknowingly ingest from plastic bottles, cling film, tap water, cosmetics and, terrifyingly, most things we eat.
Scientists are only just beginning to uncover what these microplastics might be doing to our health, but early signs aren’t exactly comforting. The tiny plastic particles have been found in our blood, lungs, brains and even women’s wombs, and have been linked to inflammation, hormone disruption, fertility issues and a higher risk of heart disease and cancer.
Clarify Clinic says the process removes between 90-99% of microplastics from the blood after a two-hour session. However, doctors aren’t so convinced. Emeritus professor Edzard Ernst of the University of Exeter told the Mail: ‘I am not aware of reliable evidence showing that the procedure has any of the claimed effects on human health. I am not even sure that it removes anything from the patient other than a lot of cash.’
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles we ingest from our food, clothes and even air
So what can you do to reduce your microplastic ingestion without splurging £10,000 on what is, at best, an experimental treatment? We’ve rounded up seven scientifically backed ways to limit your intake – with a significantly smaller price tag.
1. Switch to a glass water bottle
Plastic bottled water is, unsurprisingly, full of plastic particles. That was the clear conclusion of a 2018 study, which tested 259 bottles from 11 brands across nine countries. The results were grim: 93% of samples contained microplastics, with an average of 10 plastic particles per litre, and some big enough to be ‘visible without a magnifying glass or microscope’. Yikes.
The most common plastics found? Polypropylene and nylon – materials commonly used in bottle caps and packaging. That means the very act of opening your water bottle could be adding plastics to your drink.
To limit your ingestion, swap single-use plastic for a reusable glass or stainless steel water bottle instead. Studies show these contain significantly fewer microplastics than plastic bottles.
And, contrary to what most people think, tap water is often the safer option. According to a 2019 World Health Organization report, tap water typically contains considerably fewer microplastics than bottled water because it doesn’t come into contact with plastic packaging and is subject to stricter public monitoring.
2. Ditch the plastic in your kitchen
We’ve all started to feel a bit iffy about reheating leftovers in plastic containers and stirring risottos with plastic utensils. And it turns out we’re right to be concerned, as these plastic kitchen staples are quietly pumping microplastics into our food.
Swapping to wooden kitchen utensils is a quick way to reduce your microplastic intake
A 2021 study found microwaving food in plastic containers releases microplastics and chemical additives at a rate of millions of particles per minute, which then end up on your plate and in your body. Regular cooking utensils made from plastic, meanwhile, degrade over time, particularly when subjected to high temperatures. All that plastic? It’s going into your dinner. Yum.
To keep things clean and chemical-free, switch to wood, stainless steel, silicone, or glass utensils for cooking and serving. When reheating, opt for glass or ceramic containers instead of plastic. Your microwave meals will thank you for it – as will your insides.
3. Check your beauty products
Microbeads (usually made of polyethylene or polypropylene) have long been present in scrubs, toothpastes and shower gels, and we’re only now waking up to how dangerous that could be. One 2016 investigation found a single facial scrub session released 4,594 to 94,500 microbeads into the water supply and your body, and a 2023 study found some toothpastes contain as much as 7.2% plastic by weight.
Checking your beauty products for ingredients like ‘polyethylene’, ‘polypropylene’ or ‘nylon-12’ is an easy way to reduce this form of microplastic ingestion. You can use an app like Yuka to identify exactly which of your stash needs binning. You can also check plasticsoupfoundation.org for a list of make-up and skincare products that are microplastic-free.
4. Be mindful when washing and buying clothes
Washing synthetic clothes releases hundreds of thousands of plastic fibres into the air
Your washing machine might help your clothes smell fresh, but it’s also creating a lot of microplastics. A 2020 study found that just one load of synthetic laundry can release up to 700,000 microplastic fibres per wash. These fibres end up in waterways, on your plates, and, of course, in your body.
But it’s not just your washing machine doing the damage. Research from Nature Communications revealed synthetic clothes shed microplastics while you’re wearing them, releasing particles into the air you breathe. One experiment estimated the average person inhales up to 11 microplastic fibres per hour from indoor environments, with many of them traced back to clothing.
To cut your intake, wash synthetic clothes less often, switch to cooler wash settings (heat makes fibres shed more) and use a microfibre-catching laundry bag or filter. Even better, wear more natural fibres like cotton, hemp or linen, which shed fewer (if any) microplastics when you wash and wear them.
5. Keep your indoor air clean
You might not realise it, but the air inside your home could be packed with microplastic fibres. A 2022 study analysed indoor dust samples from various environments and found significant concentrations of microplastics. The research highlighted synthetic textiles and household items contribute heavily to indoor microplastic pollution, which can then be inhaled by occupants.
To cut down on what you breathe in, regular cleaning is key. Use a vacuum cleaner with a filter, as they’re designed to trap the tiniest particles, including microplastics, preventing them from recirculating in your home. When dusting, swap dry cloths for a damp microfibre cloth to pick up particles instead of sending them airborne.
Ventilation also makes a big difference. If the area you live in isn’t too polluted, keep your home well-ventilated during and after activities that stir up dust, like vacuuming or laundry. Switching to natural fibre furnishings like cotton curtains and rugs instead of synthetic ones can also reduce the source of microplastic fibres in the first place.
6. Be cautious when ordering takeaway
We all love a takeaway, but when we’re considering the downsides, it’s not just calories we should be considering. Single-use plastic packaging – from containers and cutlery to lids and straws – is a major source of microplastics. Studies have found that plastic food packaging sheds microplastics into your meals, especially when heated or in contact with oily or acidic foods.
We all worry about the calories in takeaways, but what about the microplastics?
A 2022 study revealed that takeaway containers made from polypropylene and polystyrene release millions of microplastic particles into food during use. And that plastic cutlery that comes with your chow mein? It’s no better. Reheating or even contact with hot food can cause tiny plastic particles to flake off.
To cut down your microplastic intake, try cooking at home more often or choosing eateries that use compostable, paper-based, or glass packaging. Bringing your own reusable containers and cutlery for takeout is another simple hack that’s great for your health and the planet.
7. Ditch the car for public transport
Research shows tyre wear is a major contributor to microplastic pollution, with studies estimating it accounts for up to 50% of microplastic particles found in urban environments.
Tiny rubber particles break off as you drive, becoming airborne or settling on roads and pavements. These particles can then enter your lungs through inhalation or settle on food and skin, increasing your microplastic ingestion. That’s aside from breathing in exhaust fumes, which contain all sorts of nasty chemicals linked to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases
So, whenever possible, swap your car trips for public transport, cycling, or walking. Not only does this reduce microplastic pollution in the environment, it cuts down what you and your family breathe in every day. And it’s a proven boost for your overall health. Win-win.
