Microplastics—tiny plastic fragments less than 5 millimeters in size—have become an insidious part of our environment, infiltrating the food we eat, the water we drink, and even the air we breathe. These particles, which are either manufactured on purpose or created from the breakdown of larger plastics, are now a significant environmental and human health concern.

Products We're Ignoring

While we often think of plastic bottles and bags breaking down, microplastics are also hiding in many common products that we use every day:

• Nonstick Cookware: A new study found that plastic and nonstick cookware can release microplastics into food during cooking. Cracks or fractures in a pan could expose you to over two million microplastic particles.
• Tea Bags: Many tea bags are made with polypropylene, a type of plastic. When steeped in hot water, a single plastic tea bag can release billions of microplastic fragments into your drink.
• Beauty and Personal Care Products: Microplastics are intentionally added to cosmetics like lipstick, scrubs, and shower gels for their exfoliating and texturizing properties. Ingredients like polyethylene (PE), nylon (PA), and acrylates copolymer are common culprits.
• Clothing and Textiles: Synthetic clothing made from materials like polyester and acrylic sheds tiny plastic microfibers during washing and wearing.
• Food Packaging and Utensils: Plastic food containers and utensils can leach microplastics into food, especially when exposed to heat.
• Salt, Sugar, and Canned Goods: Studies have found microplastics in 90% of sampled salt brands worldwide, as well as in sugar. Canned food linings, even those that are "BPA-free," may contain microplastics.
• Microwaveable Popcorn: The inside of microwaveable popcorn bags is often coated with plastic, which can allow microplastics to seep into the popcorn when heated.

How They Enter Our Bodies

Microplastics can enter the human body through three main routes:

• Ingestion: This is the most common pathway. We swallow microplastics through contaminated food and beverages like bottled water, seafood, and even fruits and vegetables that have absorbed them from the soil.
• Inhalation: Airborne microplastics, especially from sources like car tires and synthetic textiles, can be inhaled and have been found in human lung tissue.
• Skin Contact: While larger microplastics are generally too big to be absorbed through the skin, smaller particles in personal care products could potentially be absorbed, particularly if the skin is damaged.

Potential Health Effects

The full extent of the health impacts of microplastics on humans is still being studied, but research is beginning to sound the alarm. These particles have been found in human blood, lungs, liver, and even in a fetus's placenta.

• Inflammation and Organ Damage: The particles themselves can cause inflammation and damage to organs. Studies on human cells and animals suggest microplastics may be linked to impaired immune systems and tissue deterioration.
• Cardiovascular Risks: A recent study found that patients with microplastics in their arteries were at a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, and death.
• Hormonal Disruption: Microplastics can be made of chemicals like BPA and phthalates, which can mimic human hormones and disrupt bodily processes like reproduction and metabolism.

Other Potential Concerns: Research suggests a possible link between microplastics and a number of health issues, including cancer, reproductive problems, and developmental delays. Some studies even hint at a connection to neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.