Convenience Creating a Health Crisis

Microplastics Are Everywhere

Plastics have made our lives more convenient and advanced technology across every part of modern life. Since the creation of fully synthetic plastic in 1907, its use has exploded—from medical equipment to kitchen utensils, clothing, cars, and cosmetics. Plastics literally surround us.

What Are Microplastics?

Microplastics are small pieces of plastic less than 5mm in size. They have been found in land, sea, air, the food chain, and throughout the human body, including organs, lungs, placental tissue, arteries, semen, and even the brain. Microplastics often contain hormone-disrupting chemicals and may contribute to global declines in sperm health. (1,2,3,4)

How Microplastics Enter the Body

• Ingestion: Found in salt, meat, dairy, fruits, and vegetables.
• Food Packaging: Plastic cutting boards and nonstick cookware can shed particles into food.
• Drinking Water: Both bottled and tap water contain microplastics.
• Inhalation: Indoor air pollution from synthetic textiles in carpets, curtains, and furniture.
• Outdoor Air: Microplastics from tire wear and city dust enter the respiratory tract.
• Skin Contact: Microbeads in cosmetics can be absorbed through hair follicles, sweat glands, or cuts.
• Chemical Additives: Flame retardants can leach microplastics that are absorbed into the bloodstream.

Body Systems Affected by Microplastics

Cardiovascular System (4)

• Cause vascular occlusions and hypercoagulability
• Higher risk of heart disease, stroke, and mortality
• Associated with developmental heart defects and cardiac dysfunction
• Promote myocardial hypertrophy

Respiratory System (5)

• Trigger chronic inflammation and oxidative stress
• Cause pulmonary function decline and lung injury
• Lodges in lung tissue leading to inflammatory responses

Digestive System (6)

• Cross intestinal barrier and infiltrate liver and kidney tissues
• Cause intestinal inflammation and alter gut microbiota
• Disrupt metabolic pathways and nutrient absorption

Reproductive System (6)

• Impair sperm quality and reproductive hormone function
• Affect female reproductive organs and follicles

Immune System (7)

• Alter macrophage function and release inflammatory molecules
• Cause immunosuppression and chronic inflammation
• Trigger oxidative stress and DNA damage

Nervous System (8)

• Accumulates in brain tissue, causing inflammation
• Contributes to neurological dysfunction

The Solution

Plastics aren’t going anywhere, but minimizing exposure is key. Reduce single-use plastics, choose glass or stainless steel, avoid synthetic textiles, and be mindful of food packaging and personal care products.

Supporting your body’s natural detox pathways—through a diet rich in fiber, antioxidants, and essential nutrients, staying hydrated, and exercising—can help reduce microplastic accumulation. Informed lifestyle choices combined with targeted nutritional support can protect your cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, reproductive, immune, and nervous systems from this hidden modern threat.

References

1. NOAA. What are microplastics?
2. Sample I. Tiny plastic particles: Are they a looming health crisis? The Guardian. 2024
3. Liu S, et al. Microplastics in human arteries. J Hazard Mater. 2024;469:133855. doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133855
4. Wang Y, et al. Bioaccumulation of microplastics in human brains. Nature Medicine. 2024;30(2):453-461. doi:10.1038/s41591-024-03453-1
5. Zhu Y, et al. Impact of microplastics on human health. Sci Total Environ. 2025;913:170249. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.170249
6. Chartres N, et al. Effects of Microplastic Exposure on Digestive, Reproductive, and Respiratory Health. Environ Sci Technol. 2024;58(52):22843–22864. doi:10.1021/acs.est.3c09524
7. Yang W, et al. Impacts of microplastics on immunity. Front Toxicol. 2022;4:956885. doi:10.3389/ftox.2022.956885
8. Zhu J, et al. Microplastics disrupt blood–brain barrier and promote neuroinflammation. Sci Adv. 2024;10(29):eadr8243. doi:10.1126/sciadv.adr8243

Written by Brooke Lounsbury