Microplastic’s Major Impact: From the Environment to our Bodies
Microplastic’s Major Impact: From the Environment to our Bodies
Author: Alex Bede, Grove Sustainability Director
Plastic pollution is leaving a lasting and invisible legacy: microplastics — tiny plastic particles leftover from larger pieces of plastic waste that can never fully biodegrade.¹ All plastic that has ever been produced still exists today, and will continue to exist forever. While we know we need to make progress in turning the tide against plastic, significant environmental and human health impacts have already occurred.
Microplastics range in size from 5 millimeters — the size of a pencil eraser — to 1 nanometer. For reference, a strand of human hair is about 80,000 nanometers wide.² Many of these microplastics are much too small to be seen by the naked eye. Since we know plastic never fully biodegrades, any plastic water bottle we’ve drank from or t-shirt we’ve worn made from synthetic material eventually will become microplastic.
Tiny microplastic particles can easily move through water, air, and dirt, and have been found in some of the world's most remote locations, including Mt. Everest’s peak, indicating their ability to permeate the most pristine and uninhabitable parts of the world.³ Yet, the complexities of microplastics extend far beyond being solely an environmental issue.
Microplastics are an emerging area of study and much remains to be discovered about their long-term impacts on human health, but initial findings are not positive. The question of what happens once they enter our bodies is increasingly concerning to scientists. We’ve all seen headlines that microplastics are not only in our drinking water⁴, but also in some of the most intimate parts of our bodies: blood, breastmilk⁵, lungs, and even our brains. Microplastics have been found to enter our bodies primarily in three ways:⁶
Oral intake: Microplastics are found in everyday necessities, such as our water and food. This can be from drinking from a plastic water bottle, consuming shellfish, or eating your favorite take out.
Inhalation: Microplastics can enter the air from various sources, such as clothing made from synthetic materials and tires on the road.
Skin contact: Microplastics aren’t likely to penetrate your skin barrier, but they can increase exposure risk through contact with products made of plastic, such as your face wash or phone case.
Our exposure to microplastics may pose long-term health impacts. In a 2022 report, the World Health Organization stated that current technologies are not yet advanced enough to measure microplastic exposure at a large population-level or understand to what extent these particles remain in our bodies long-term.⁷ However, preliminary findings from human cell and animal studies have called for urgent action and further research. Although there is still much to uncover, here are some initial high-level findings:
Physical effects
Once microplastics enter our bodies, they may accumulate in tissues. Although it is difficult to identify the exact risks, recent findings show inflammation, cell death, respiratory issues, disruptions to the gut microbiome, and changes to our hormonal metabolism can all be adverse effects of microplastic exposure.⁸
Toxin exposure
There are more than 13,000 chemicals that have been identified as associated with plastics, including flame retardants, UV stabilizers, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), phthalates, and more.⁹ The breakdown of plastic into microplastics that we then ingest means these chemicals and toxins can be ingested or inhaled, potentially leading to toxic effects.¹⁰
Vulnerable populations
Children and pregnant women may be more susceptible to the health risks of microplastics. Microplastics can reach the fetus via the placenta, or babies can ingest via breastmilk.¹¹ Early exposure to microplastics can have lasting negative effects during important developmental stages.¹²
While it’s impossible to completely avoid microplastics, we can take steps to reduce our exposure and limit their presence in our daily lives. Here are some practical ways to protect you and your loved ones:
Choose low plastic and plastic-free food packaging whenever possible
Food packaged in plastic has been found to be linked to microplastic exposure.¹³ These tiny plastic particles can leach into our food, especially when exposed to moisture or heat. It may not be feasible to avoid plastic packaging altogether in the food we consume, however making small swaps can be meaningful.
Choose fresh produce in bulk rather than pre-packaged options. Use reusable cotton produce bags instead of plastic ones. With a quick rinse at home, produce can also go directly into your cart without needing a bag
Buy pantry staples like rice, pasta, and grains in bulk stores where you can use your own plastic-free containers
Store any leftovers in glass or stainless steel containers instead of plastic
Avoid heating food in plastic
Heating food in plastic containers increases the likelihood of chemicals and microplastics leeching into your food.¹⁴ For a safer alternative:
Use glass or ceramic dishes in the microwave
Invest in stovetop-safe, nontoxic cookware for reheating meals
Keep plastic items out of the dishwasher
Tossing everything in the dishwasher can be tempting, but hotter water and harsh dishwasher detergents can break down plastic over time, which can increase the risk of microplastics in these items¹⁵
Hand wash plastic items in cold or warm water or replace them with plastic-free materials, such as stainless steel or glass
Rethink your wardrobe
Ever been sold on a clothing item made from recycled polyester? All synthetic fabrics (whether virgin or recycled), like polyester, nylon, and acrylic shed microfibers with every wash, contributing significantly to microplastic pollution.¹⁶ These microfibers not only affect the environment but can also end up in household dust that we inhale. Reduce your impact by:
Choosing natural fibers like organic cotton, hemp, or bamboo for your clothing
Washing synthetic clothing less often and on a gentle cycle
Installing a washing machine filter to catch microfibers before they enter the water system
Using a microplastic washing bag to wash your synthetic fabrics to help trap microfibers
Don’t drink from plastic bottles
Single-use and reusable plastic water bottles can release microplastics into your drinking water.¹⁷ Stay hydrated safely by:
Using a glass or stainless steel water bottle
Drinking filtered tap water instead of bottled water
Install a water filter at home that’s designed to reduce microplastics
Keep your home clean and well-ventilated
Household dust can contain microplastics from clothing, furniture, and other plastic items we have in our home. Regular cleaning can help reduce exposure:
Vacuum with a HEPA filter to trap tiny particles
Try dusting with a damp cloth to avoid kicking particles into the air
Open windows to ventilate your home and improve indoor air quality
Support brands committed to reducing plastic
Look for brands that prioritize sustainability and are transparent about their efforts to reduce or eliminate plastic.
The human and environmental health implications of microplastics cannot coexist with a sustainable future. While much still remains unknown of the human health implications of microplastics, we can start with one change today. These small steps can help reduce exposure to microplastics and contribute to a healthier home and planet. Mindful choices can help support a shift towards a more sustainable world that is less reliant on plastic.
Sources:
1 National Centers for Environmental Information. (August 17, 2022). Tracking Global Marine Microplastics. Retrieved December 6, 2024, from https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/tracking-global-marine-microplastics
2 United States Environmental Protection Agency. (July 22, 2024). Microplastics Research. Retrieved December 6, 2024, from https://www.epa.gov/water-research/microplastics-research
3 Freddie Wilkinson. (November 20, 2020). Microplastics Found Near Everest’s Peak, Highest Ever Detected in the World. National Geographic. Retrieved December 6, 2024, from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/microplastics-found-near-everests-peak-highest-ever-detected-world-perpetual-planet
4 George & Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience. (August 4, 2023). A New Study Investigates the Impact of Microplastics in the Brain. The University of Rhode Island. Retrieved December 6, 2024, from https://ryaninstitute.uri.edu/microplastics/
5 Sarah Sloat. (June 18, 2024). How to Minimize Your Exposure to Microplastics. The New York Times. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/07/well/microplastics-health.html#
6 Yue Li, Le Tao, Qiong Wang, Fengbang Wang, Gang Li, and Maoyong Song. (2023). Potential Health Impact of Microplastics: A Review of Environmental Distribution, Human Exposure, and Toxic Effects. ACS Publications. Retrieved December 6, 2024, from https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/envhealth.3c00052
7 Geneva: World Health Organization. (2022). Dietary and Inhalation Exposure to Nano- and Microplastic Particles and Potential Implications for Human Health. ACS Publications. Retrieved December 6, 2024, from https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/362049/9789240054608-eng.pdf
8, 12 Stephanie Dutchen. (2023). Microplastics Everywhere. Harvard Medicine. Retrieved December 6, 2024, from https://magazine.hms.harvard.edu/articles/microplastics-everywhere?utm_source=chatgpt.com
9 UN Environment Programme. (May 3, 2023). Chemicals in Plastics — A Technical Report. Retrieved December 6, 2024, from https://www.unep.org/resources/report/chemicals-plastics-technical-report
10 Center for International Environmental Law. (March 27, 2023). Breathing Plastic: The Health Impacts of Invisible Plastics in the Air. Retrieved December 6, 2024, from https://www.ciel.org/breathing-plastic-the-health-impacts-of-invisible-plastics-in-the-air/
11 Zurub RE, Cariaco Y, Wade MG, Bainbridge SA. (January 4, 2024). Microplastics Exposure: Implications for Human Fertility, Pregnancy and Child Health. Front Endocrinol. Retrieved December 9, 2024, from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10794604/
13 Lisa Zimmermann. (March 15, 2023). Studies Detect Microplastics in Food and Link it to Packaging, Processing Equipment. Food Packaging Forum Retrieved December 6, 2024, from https://foodpackagingforum.org/news/studies-detect-microplastics-in-food-and-link-it-to-packaging-processing-equipment
14 Beyond Plastics. (n.d.). Microwave + Plastic = BAD Idea. Retrieved December 6, 2024, from https://www.beyondplastics.org/fact-sheets/stop-microwaving-plastic
15 Sol D, Menéndez-Manjón A, Carrasco S, Crisóstomo-Miranda J, Laca A, Laca A, Díaz M. (January 26, 2023). Contribution of Household Dishwashing to Microplastic Pollution. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved December 6, 2024, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36701065/
16 The 5 Gyres Institute. (n.d.). Microfibers & Textiles. Retrieved December 6, 2024, from https://www.5gyres.org/plastic-fashion
17 Sandee LaMotte. (March 22, 2024). Bottled Water Packed with Nanoplastics, Study Finds. CNN Health. Retrieved December 6, 2024, from https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/08/health/bottled-water-nanoplastics-study-wellness/index.html
