The Dark Side Of Plastic Consumption: Health Hazards Revealed

Plastic is everywhere—in the air, in the sea, and in our food and drink. Microplastics, tiny pieces of plastic that come from the breakdown of larger plastic items, are now so common that they're in our food chain. From the plastic wrap on our vegetables to the plastic bottles we drink from, we're consuming plastic every day. While the long-term effects of microplastics on human health are still unknown, it's clear that we're ingesting a lot of it—studies suggest that Americans consume between 203 and 312 bits of plastic every day, and that doesn't include the microplastics we inhale. So, what happens if we eat too much plastic?

Microplastics are in our water, food, air, and bodies

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that are less than 5mm in diameter. They are present in our water, food, air, and bodies. Primary microplastics are shed from commercial products such as cosmetics, clothing, and fishing nets, while secondary microplastics result from the breakdown of larger plastic items, such as water bottles. These particles can be inhaled, ingested, or come into contact with our skin, potentially impacting our respiratory and cardiovascular health.

The presence of microplastics in our environment and bodies is a growing concern. While a single piece of plastic accidentally ingested is unlikely to cause harm, the constant consumption of plastic or food packaged in plastic can have long-term side effects. Microplastics have been found in human placentas, indicating their ability to pass through the food chain. They are also present in our water supply, with bottled water being a significant source of dietary microplastics.

To reduce exposure to microplastics, it is recommended to minimize the use of plastic in food packaging and to choose plastic-free alternatives for grocery staples like peanut butter and yogurt. Reusable totes and produce bags can replace plastic options at supermarkets, and loose-leaf tea can be chosen over tea bags, as tea bags often contain plastic that seeps into the beverage.

The impact of microplastics on human health is still being studied, and regulations on plastic use are rapidly evolving. While the World Health Organization (WHO) has suggested that the risks to human health from microplastics in drinking water are low, scientists admit that more research is needed. The presence of microplastics in our environment and bodies underscores the importance of reducing plastic usage and disposing of plastic waste properly to minimize potential health risks.

Microplastics can enter the body through inhalation

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that can be inhaled and are found in both outdoor and indoor air. They originate from the mechanical, chemical, and physical breakdown of larger plastic items, as well as from primary microplastics, which are intentionally produced at a microscopic scale for specific applications. These particles are so pervasive that they have been detected in snow in the Arctic, dust in remote deserts, and even in the air of major cities like London and Paris.

When inhaled, microplastics can enter the respiratory system through the nose or mouth and become lodged in the upper airways or deep in the lungs. The largest pieces of microplastic are trapped in the mucus of the airways and are eventually expelled through sneezing. However, smaller pieces, particularly those below 2.5 micrometers in size, can penetrate deeper into the lungs and may reach the alveoli, the terminal part of the lungs where oxygen exchange occurs.

At this point, the microplastics can potentially enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body. Research has found microplastics in various human organs, including the placenta, liver, and breast milk. The presence of microplastics in the body can cause inflammation and stress the immune system. Additionally, due to their hydrophobic nature, microplastics have the potential to act as vectors for toxic chemicals and pathogens, further exacerbating their impact on human health.

The health risks associated with inhaling microplastics are significant, and their presence in the air we breathe underscores the urgent need to reduce plastic production and regulate the use of hazardous chemicals in plastic manufacturing.

Microplastics can cause weight gain by increasing fat cells

While eating a small piece of plastic is not likely to cause any serious harm, constantly ingesting plastic or food packaged in plastic can have long-term side effects. Plastic contains thousands of chemicals, some of which are transferred very easily, such as phthalates, which make plastics soft and bendable. These chemicals can be transferred to food when we microwave things in plastic, eat canned food lined in plastic lacquer, or drink bottled water.

One possible effect of ingesting these chemicals is weight gain. Bisphenol A (BPA), a common industrial chemical used in plastic products like water bottles and food containers, has been shown to produce metabolic disruption, insulin resistance, and weight gain in animals. Epidemiological studies have linked exposure to these chemicals in humans with diabetes and obesity. While the health risks of microplastics in humans are not yet fully understood, animal and cell culture studies suggest that these chemicals can encourage obesity.

Microplastics can cause weight gain by acting as hormone disruptors and mimicking hormones like cortisol, estrogen, and other hormones. High levels of cortisol are known to adversely affect weight and can cause Cushing's syndrome, which can lead to weight gain in the midsection, neck, and face, as well as high blood pressure. Additionally, chemicals in plastic household items, such as drinks bottles, yogurt pots, and freezer bags, may alter human metabolism by promoting the growth of fat cells or adipocytes.

Biologists at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim extracted chemicals from everyday products and found thousands of chemical features, including substances known to disrupt metabolism. They tested these extracts on mouse precursor cells and found that they promoted the creation of fat cells. Similarly, a study funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) found that human exposure to microplastics and plastic additives may be linked to an increased risk of obesity by affecting metabolism and promoting the growth of fat cells.

Bottled water drinkers ingest more microplastics

It is now common knowledge that microplastics are everywhere: in our salt, our oceans, and even our tap water. However, there are even more microplastics in bottled water, and this is concerning given that the world consumes approximately a million plastic bottles every minute.

A 2018 Orb Media study estimated that a liter of bottled water from major brands contains roughly 10.4 plastic particles. Another study found that, on average, a liter of bottled water included about 240,000 tiny pieces of plastic, with about 90% of these being nanoplastics. This is 10 to 100 times more plastic particles than seen in earlier studies, which mostly focused on larger microplastics. The water contained particles of all seven types of plastic, the most common being polyamide, a type of nylon often used to help filter and purify water. An abundance of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was also detected, which is expected since PET is used to make bottles for water, soda, and many other drinks and foods.

Tests have shown that 93% of bottled water shows some sign of microplastic contamination. There were twice as many plastic particles in bottled water as in tap water, and more particles in plastic bottles than in glass bottles. A new study says that human ingestion of microplastics is inevitable due to the amount found in drinking water. During research into the risks to our health, twice as many microplastics were found in feces from those who drank more bottled water.

To reduce your exposure to microplastics, you can try to avoid foods packaged in plastic and bring your own water bottle whenever possible.

Plastic chemicals can cause male infertility

While swallowing a small piece of plastic is not harmful, constantly eating plastic or food packaged in plastic can have long-term side effects. Plastic contains several chemicals, such as bisphenols (like bisphenol A, or BPA), dioxins, flame retardants, PFAS "forever chemicals," phthalates, toxic metals, and many others, which can be easily transferred to food and have serious effects on the human body, especially the reproductive system.

Phthalates, one of the most commonly used chemicals in plastic, make plastics soft and bendable. They are not chemically bound to plastic and can, therefore, be easily transferred to other things. Research suggests that exposure to phthalates may lead to decreased sperm quality, impaired ovarian function, and increased risk of infertility. Phthalates have also been linked to other problems, such as premature births, asthma, cancer, miscarriage, premature breast development, and abnormal male sexual development.

Bisphenol A, another chemical found in plastics, is estrogenic and interferes with reproduction. Bisphenol A has been linked to reduced sperm counts and health, and many other reproductive abnormalities linked to infertility.

Microplastics, which are small plastic particles that do not fully decompose, are now found everywhere, from the snow in the Arctic to the dust in remote deserts, and are also present in our food and water. Exposure to PVC plastic, a type of microplastic considered one of the most toxic types of plastics, has been linked to numerous reproductive issues in males, including undescended testes, premature puberty, and low sperm count.

Overall, the growing evidence suggests that the chemicals found in plastics are lowering fertility in men and women and altering male and female reproductive development. While further research is needed, it is clear that steps must be taken to reduce exposure to these harmful chemicals and to advocate for safer alternatives in product manufacturing.

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