Plastics are convenient in the short term, but is convenience worth our health? Once thought to be inert, plastic products don’t just take up space in landfills; they break down into microscopic particles called microplastics. These particles find their way into the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, and even in our bodies.
Mounting evidence links microplastics and the chemicals they leach to harm across major organs. Here’s a snapshot of how plastic chemicals correlate with serious health issues from head to toe.
A recent study found an increase in microplastic particles like polyethylene, which is used in plastic bags and food wrappers, inside human brain tissue. Earlier research showed that in mice, these particles alter brain proteins linked to communication between cells and early indications of Alzheimer’s and depression.
The lungs are not immune. A study from the University of Technology Sydney showed inhaled microplastics can inflame lung tissue, increasing the risk of conditions like asthma. Even more concerning: the smallest particles may pass from the lungs into the bloodstream and reach other vital organs.
The heart may also be at risk. In a large study of patients with atherosclerosis, a condition where the arteries are narrowed due to a build up of plaque, microplastics were found in this plaque. Patients with this condition are four times more likely to suffer heart attacks or strokes. This correlation suggests a troubling link between plastic particles and the cardiovascular system.
Another affected system is the digestive tract, the first stop for many ingested plastics. Microplastics have been shown to alter gut bacteria and weaken the intestinal lining, allowing toxins to enter the bloodstream. This “leaky gut” effect is associated with autoimmune disease, chronic inflammation, and even metabolic disorders like diabetes.
Reproductive health is also under threat. Studies have found microplastics mess with hormones, damage the ovaries and testis, and reduce fertility in animal models. Alarmingly, they’ve been detected in placentas and fetal tissues, impeding development.
Microplastics come from far more sources than many realize. They shed from synthetic clothing like polyester and nylon, which now make up 69% of global textiles. Buying clothes made of organic cotton or linen is much safer. Microplastics also come from food packaging, kitchen sponges, and even dust – which poses an especially high risk to babies and pets who spend more time close to the ground, as we detail in our Babies vs. Plastics and Pets vs. Plastics reports. Buying reusable cloth bags, natural sponges, and regular vacuuming can reduce exposure.
Even heating food in so-called “microwave-safe” plastic containers can accelerate the leaching of plastic chemicals, like BPA and phthalates, into our meals, especially oily or fatty foods. Transferring your food to non-plastic containers to heat them is worth the effort.
This isn’t just about plastic straws or ocean pollution. It’s about protecting our health and the health of those around us. At EARTHDAY.ORG, we’re calling on governments to support the Global Plastics Treaty and commit to reducing plastic production by 60% by 2040 and hope that you will contribute your voice.
