Plastic Inhalation: Understanding Our Unknowing Intake

It is estimated that the average person may be consuming anywhere from 39,000 to 52,000 microplastic particles a year, with some estimates reaching 74,000. A study by Good Morning Britain and experts at the University of Portsmouth found that families are likely each inhaling between 2,000 and 7,000 microplastic particles a day. This means that we could be inhaling up to 1.8 million microplastics every year.

Microplastics are found in the air at home

The average family could be breathing in 100 times more microplastics at home than previously thought, according to new research. It is estimated that we each inhale or swallow up to 1.8 million microplastics every year.

Microplastics are any piece of plastic smaller than five millimetres, but many are much smaller and only visible under a microscope. Air, bottled water and seafood are the biggest sources of ingested microplastics.

It is not yet known how much plastic is in the remaining 85% of the typical diet, but it is clear that microplastics are a serious health concern.

Microplastics are found in food and drink

It is estimated that we each inhale or swallow up to 1.8 million microplastics every year. A study by Good Morning Britain (GMB) and the University of Portsmouth found that families are likely inhaling between 2,000 and 7,000 microplastic particles a day. The highest amount of microplastics were found in a child's bedroom due to the carpets, non-cotton bed linen and soft toys.

The average family could be breathing in 100 times more microplastics at home than previously thought. Microplastics are any piece of plastic smaller than five millimetres, but many are much smaller and only visible under a microscope.

Microplastics are found in the air outside the home

It is estimated that we each inhale or swallow up to 1.8 million microplastics every year. A study by Good Morning Britain and the University of Portsmouth found that families are likely each inhaling between 2,000 and 7,000 microplastic particles a day. The highest amount of microplastics were found in a child's bedroom, due to the carpets, non-cotton bed linen and soft toys.

Microplastics are also found in the air outside the home. Air is one of the biggest sources of ingested microplastics. Using US dietary guidelines and respiration rates, researchers estimated that Americans are consuming more than 70,000 plastic particles each year.

Microplastics are any piece of plastic smaller than five millimetres, and many are much smaller and only visible under a microscope. They are found in beer, salt, seafood, sugar, alcohol and honey.

Microplastics are found in the body

Another study in the journal *Environmental Science and Technology* estimates that humans may be consuming anywhere from 39,000 to 52,000 microplastic particles a year. With added estimates of how much microplastic might be inhaled, that number is more than 74,000.

Air, bottled water and seafood were the biggest sources for ingested microplastics. Added sugars accounted for less, and salts, tap water and beer contributed minimally.

It is not yet known how much plastic is in the remaining 85% of the typical diet. However, it is estimated that we each inhale or swallow up to 1.8 million microplastics every year.

Microplastics are found in the body and are doing irreversible damage

Another study in the journal *Environmental Science and Technology* says it's possible that humans may be consuming anywhere from 39,000 to 52,000 microplastic particles a year. With added estimates of how much microplastic might be inhaled, that number is more than 74,000.

Air, bottled water and seafood were the biggest sources for ingested microplastics. Added sugars accounted for less, and salts, tap water and beer contributed minimally.

"There can be no health benefits of inhaling microplastics; they’re dangerous and we need more research like this to fully understand how they can harm our bodies," said one professor.

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