Microplastics are tiny plastic particles found in everyday items like cosmetics, food, and textiles. Recent studies are showing that inhaling these tiny particles could seriously threaten our health. A comprehensive review of nearly 3,000 studies, published in Environmental Science & Technology, highlights how microplastics may negatively impact our digestive, reproductive, and respiratory systems. This research suggests possible links between inhaling microplastics and issues like colon cancer, fertility problems, and lung function deterioration, which might increase the risk of lung cancer.
Microplastics range from about 5 millimeters (the size of a pencil eraser) to as small as one nanometer (for comparison, a human hair is 80,000 nanometers wide), according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These particles come from the approximately 460 million metric tons of plastic produced worldwide each year, a number expected to nearly triple by 2060.
This research serves as a significant warning, according to lead author Nicholas Chartres, PhD, from the University of Sydney and the University of California, San Francisco’s Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment. With a flood of recent studies examining microplastics’ effects on human health, this review aims to make sense of the findings. Chartres mentions that microplastics enter our bodies when we breathe, consume seafood, or drink water, impacting our respiratory system and digestive tract.
The review builds on earlier reports urging policymakers, specifically in California, to consider new regulations to protect people from microplastic exposure. The researchers assessed nearly 3,000 studies and categorized their findings based on evidence quality. While most studies were conducted on animals, particularly rodents, the researchers believe the findings are relevant to humans due to similar exposure processes.
This extensive review emphasizes the widespread impact of microplastics on human health, suggesting we’re just beginning to understand the full extent of their harmful effects. These tiny particles are everywhere—used in cosmetics, packaging, tires, paint, synthetic fabrics, and more—yet they also show up in human tissue, food, beverages, and the air.
For their analysis, the authors focused on airborne microplastics, which are found even in the world’s most remote areas. These particles become airborne through processes like sea spray, wind interacting with textiles in landfills, and road wear on tires. Wildfire smoke also contributes, as fires burn through modern buildings, releasing microplastics into the air.
Microplastics are also common in oceans and waterways, contaminating marine life. They can enter our bodies not just through inhalation and ingestion but also through skin contact, although this is less common. Given their ubiquity, exposure to microplastics seems unavoidable. Once inside the body, they accumulate in tissue, harming health over time.
Certain individuals, such as those with pre-existing conditions, might be more affected by microplastic exposure. Socioeconomic factors also play a role, as people in lower-income brackets or certain occupations may be more exposed due to more frequent contact with plastic packaging or pollution.
Avoiding microplastics is challenging, given their prevalence in the environment and reliance on plastic packaging in the food industry. Nevertheless, individuals can attempt to reduce exposure by choosing fresh produce and questioning the materials in products they buy. Regulatory action and systemic changes are crucial to address the issue effectively. For instance, banning nonessential plastic use and encouraging governments to act on study data are potential steps. Legislation could also promote the affordability and availability of natural alternatives to synthetic products.
While it’s difficult to stop plastic production entirely, effective regulation, similar to past successes like tobacco control, could mitigate the threats posed by microplastics. Without action, the consequences could be severe within the next few decades.
