Maya Ellison
Microplastics are everywhere—from the food we eat to the air we breathe. They are in our water, clothes, and even our bodies. An estimated 10 to 40 million metric tons of these particles are released into the environment each year, threatening human health and the planet's well-being. With microplastics linked to potential health hazards, the question arises: What do microplastics do to us, and how concerned should we be about their presence in our bodies?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Potential exposure routes | Oral intake, inhalation, skin contact, drinking water in plastic bottles, food intake, indoor air |
| Potential health effects | Oxidative stress, DNA damage, organ dysfunction, metabolic disorder, immune response, neurotoxicity, reproductive and developmental toxicity, cardiovascular disease, low male fertility, cancer, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder |
| Other effects | Disrupt marine microorganisms' crucial roles of sequestering carbon dioxide and producing oxygen, carry antibiotic-resistant bacteria and other pathogens into the body |
| Mitigation | Reduce plastic exposure, use stainless-steel water bottles, avoid microwaving food in plastic containers, use glass/wood/metal kitchen items, take off shoes indoors, use HEPA filter, push for reduced plastic manufacturing and more recycling |
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What You'll Learn
- Microplastics are found in the human body
- They can enter the body through oral intake, inhalation, and skin contact
- Microplastics can cause inflammation, cell death, and changes in the gut microbiome
- They may carry antibiotic-resistant bacteria and other pathogens
- The production and destruction of plastics release harmful particles and gases
Microplastics are found in the human body
Microplastics are ubiquitous in the global environment and have been detected throughout the human body. Research points to two main entry routes into the human body: ingestion and inhalation. People ingest microplastics through food and water, and they inhale them through indoor air.
Microplastics have been found in human blood, saliva, breast milk, the placenta, testicles, hearts, livers, kidneys, brains, and lungs. They are also present in every sample of beach sand, in the deep sea, in Arctic ice, and in the gut of hundreds of fish from the English Channel.
Studies have shown that microplastics can cause inflammation, cell death, lung and liver effects, changes in the gut microbiome, and altered lipid and hormone metabolism. They can also carry antibiotic-resistant bacteria and other pathogens on their surfaces and into our bodies. In addition, the epidemiological evidence suggests that a variety of chronic diseases may be related to microplastic exposure.
The potential health hazards of microplastics are widely concerning. While the full long-term impact of microplastics on human health is still largely unknown, dozens of research studies have linked the particles to lung inflammation and a higher risk of lung cancer, metabolic disorders, neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, weight gain, insulin resistance, and decreased reproductive health.
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They can enter the body through oral intake, inhalation, and skin contact
Microplastics are ubiquitous in the global environment, and they have been detected throughout the human body, including in the blood, saliva, liver, kidneys, brain tissue, and placenta. Humans are exposed to microplastics through oral intake, inhalation, and skin contact.
Oral intake of microplastics can occur through the consumption of contaminated food and water. Studies have found microplastics in various food products, including seafood, shellfish, cephalopods, crustaceans, anchovies, sea salt, and commercial bivalve shellfish like oysters, mussels, clams, and scallops. The concentration of microplastics in these food items can range from 0.03 to 2.22 pieces/gram. Exposure to microplastics through food intake is likely the main exposure source, and it is challenging to provide a detailed estimate due to the lack of research on the contents and internal doses in different foods. However, a recent report showed that microplastics exposure in newborns and infants could be higher due to the use of feeding bottles and medical devices.
Inhalation of microplastics can occur through indoor air, especially in urban environments close to the coast due to sea salt aerosols. The synthetic fiber industry is another source of potential workplace exposure to microplastics through inhalation, and studies have linked microplastic inhalation to respiratory and lung diseases among workers in factories using synthetic fibers.
Skin contact with microplastics can occur through the use of personal care products, such as cosmetics and cleaning products, which may contain microplastics. Additionally, microplastics in the environment can be tracked into homes and come into contact with the skin.
While the health effects of microplastics are not yet fully understood, studies have shown that microplastics can cause oxidative stress, DNA damage, organ dysfunction, metabolic disorder, immune response, neurotoxicity, and reproductive and developmental toxicity in experimental models. There is also evidence suggesting that chronic diseases may be related to microplastic exposure. Additionally, chemicals often found in plastics, such as endocrine-disrupting chemicals, can cause a variety of health problems, including cancers, metabolic disorders, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and fertility issues.
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Microplastics can cause inflammation, cell death, and changes in the gut microbiome
Microplastics are a global problem due to their prevalence in the natural environment and the food chain. Humans are exposed to microplastics through oral intake, inhalation, and skin contact. The toxic effects of microplastics include oxidative stress, DNA damage, organ dysfunction, metabolic disorder, immune response, neurotoxicity, and reproductive and developmental toxicity.
Microplastics have been shown to cause inflammation, cell death, and changes in the gut microbiome. In terms of inflammation, microplastics can cause physical irritation to the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in various gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits. Animal experiments have also shown that exposure to microplastics can cause lipid metabolism disturbance in the liver and increased oxidative stress.
Regarding cell death, a study has found that microplastics cause damage to human cells at levels known to be ingested by people through food. Irregularly shaped microplastics were found to cause more cell death than spherical ones, which are often used in laboratory experiments. This is important as it indicates that the particles ingested by humans may have more toxic effects than previously thought.
Microplastics can also cause changes in the gut microbiome. A study simulated the passage of microplastics through the gastrointestinal tract and found that they started several biotransformations, appearing structurally different at the colon. The study reported that microplastics alter human microbial colonic community composition, which could potentially lead to gut dysbiosis. However, the effect of microplastics on the human gut microbiome is still uncertain, as few studies have investigated this issue, and often with higher doses than those found in food and beverages.
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They may carry antibiotic-resistant bacteria and other pathogens
Microplastics are everywhere: from trash, dust, fabrics, cosmetics, cleaning products, rain, seafood, produce, table salt, and more. They are in the water we drink, the food we eat, the clothes we wear, and the air we breathe. They have pervaded every ecosystem in the world, from coral reefs to Antarctic ice. They have also infiltrated the human body, lodging themselves in everything from brain tissue to reproductive organs. An estimated 10 to 40 million metric tons of these particles are released into the environment every year. If current trends continue, that number could double by 2040.
Humans are exposed to microplastics through oral intake, inhalation, and skin contact. The extent of the harm caused by microplastics is still being studied, but they have been linked to inflammation, cell death, lung and liver effects, changes in the gut microbiome, and altered lipid and hormone metabolism.
In addition, there is evidence that microplastics may carry antibiotic-resistant bacteria and other pathogens on their surfaces and into our bodies. This has been confirmed in fruit flies and mice by Demir and Turna Demir, and in mice and fruit flies by Lemos. The potential health impact of this is a cause for concern, as antibiotic-resistant bacteria can lead to difficult-to-treat infections.
The medical community is actively researching plastic particle pollution and the diseases and syndromes that may be linked to it. Scientists are exploring plastic-eating microorganisms and plastic alternatives. Individuals can reduce their plastic exposure by using stainless-steel water bottles, avoiding plastic containers for food storage and cooking, and using a HEPA filter to capture particles from the air.
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The production and destruction of plastics release harmful particles and gases
Plastics are derived from fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and gas, and are resistant to biodegradation. The production of plastics involves the release of toxic air pollution and greenhouse gases. For instance, the ethane cracker process, which converts liquid ethane into ethylene, releases harmful pollutants and gases. The final product of this process is tiny polyethylene balls, called "nurdles," which are the building blocks of many plastic products. These nurdles can escape during production and transport, polluting rivers, oceans, and soil.
The chemicals used in plastics manufacturing, such as PFAS, are now found worldwide, including in our food, water, air, and bodies. These chemicals have been linked to various health issues. For example, exposure to microplastics has been associated with oxidative stress, DNA damage, organ dysfunction, metabolic disorders, immune response abnormalities, neurotoxicity, and reproductive and developmental toxicity.
During the manufacturing process, additives such as colorants, lubricants, plasticizers, and flame retardants are incorporated into the polymers to give plastics specific properties. These additives, along with other chemicals present in the production process, can become toxic microplastics that contaminate the environment and accumulate in food chains.
When plastic waste is incinerated, it releases toxic metals, organic substances, acid gases, and other harmful substances into the environment. These toxins, including dioxins and furans, can contaminate the air, water, and soil, leading to severe short-term and long-term health effects, especially for nearby residents and workers.
The pervasive nature of plastic pollution, exacerbated by inefficient garbage collection systems and low recycling rates, has prompted global efforts to address the crisis. However, the fragmentation of plastics into micro and nanoplastics makes it challenging to recover and mitigate their environmental and health impacts.
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Frequently asked questions
Humans are exposed to microplastics through oral intake, inhalation, and skin contact. They are present in the water we drink, the food we eat, the clothes we wear, and the air we breathe.
The health effects of microplastics on humans are not yet fully understood, but studies have found associations with various issues, including cardiovascular disease, low male fertility, cancers, metabolic disorders, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and fertility issues. Microplastics have also been linked to inflammation, cell death, lung and liver issues, changes in the gut microbiome, and altered lipid and hormone metabolism.
People can reduce their exposure to microplastics by using stainless steel water bottles, avoiding plastic water bottles, and not microwaving food in plastic containers. It is also recommended to use kitchen items made of glass, wood, or metal, such as mixing bowls, spoons, cutting boards, and food storage containers.
Efforts to address the issue of microplastics include bans on cosmetics containing plastic microbeads in the US and Europe, mandatory testing for microplastics in drinking water in California, and restrictions on microplastics intentionally added to products in the European Union. Additionally, the US federal government has set a goal of eliminating single-use plastics from all operations by 2035.
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