The Hidden World of Microplastics

Plastic is everywhere in our lives. Consider a day of running errands. Perhaps you are buying some new clothes that day. Maybe you get ready for a long day of shopping by going to a coffee shop, taking your coffee in a plastic to-go cup. When you shop, you place your clothes (some made from synthetic fibers like spandex or polyester, which happens to be plastic) into plastic bags. And when you get thirsty, you take a sip of water from your plastic water bottle. Besides the expected places where you might find plastics, tiny plastic bits, known as microplastics and nanoplastics, can be found in fruits, vegetables, cosmetics, and even household dust. 

And while some people typically think of plastics as polluting our environment, plastics can also end up polluting our bodies. Microplastics have been detected in many body tissues and organs, including the heart, the brain (having crossed the blood-brain barrier), and the placenta, potentially affecting unborn babies. 

What are micro- and nanoplastics?

Microplastics range from 5 millimeters in size to 1 micrometer. Anything smaller than a micrometer become nanoplastics, which are so small you can’t see them with your naked eye. When you take a refreshing swig of water from a plastic water bottle, it’s not just water you are putting into your body. It’s also these tiny plastic pieces that unassumingly make their way inside of you. Researchers at Columbia University tested plastic water bottles, and found that a liter of water contained an average of around 240,000 nanoparticles, with seven different detected plastic types.

Water bottle nanoplastics

A majority of the plastic detected was polyamide, which likely finds its way into your water bottle from the plastic filters used to purify the water. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is what plastic water bottles are made out of, and unsurprisingly was another common plastic found floating in the water. Other detected plastics included polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, and polymethyl methacrylate. 

Health implications of plastic particles

While it is true that these particles are present in our bodies and all around us, it is currently unclear how these particles affect our health. Some studies claim it increases the risk for cardiovascular disease. Other studies have been conducted in mice, finding that plastic particulates that entered the brains of mice caused them to show signs of cognitive decline. However, more research needs to be conducted to fully understand the effects of plastic particulates on human health.

Health impacts of chemicals found in plastics

Another health concern, however, are the toxic chemicals lurking inside some plastics. Bisphenol A (BPA) is in some food and beverage containers, and lining metal food and drink cans. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are another group of chemicals that you can find in plastic food and cosmetic containers. PFAS can leach into our food, personal care products, and eventually our bodies. Scarily, PFAS are nicknamed “forever chemicals” because they accumulate in humans, and don’t naturally break down. Certain levels of this “forever chemical” may increase cancer risk, or cause developmental issues in children. Additionally, both BPAs and PFAS are known as endocrine disruptors, and can interfere with how the endocrine system regulates hormones important for our metabolism, development, and other biological processes. 

Things to consider

To avoid ingesting these chemicals, try to avoid plastics in food and drinks. Don’t heat up plastic food containers in the microwave, and maybe opt for non-plastic storage containers, such as wood, glass, or stainless steel. Look for “BPA-free” plastic products. 

For our environment and our health, reducing our usage of plastic is something we should strive for. Here’s one NPR journalist’s attempt to cut out plastic for a week. Maybe you could give it a go as well! Challenge yourself, and people close to you to see how much plastic you can cut out of your life. The environment and your body will thank you.

References

1. Bisphenol-a (Bpa)/Bisfenol a(El bpa). (2020, January 28). Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. https://www.publichealth.columbia.edu/research/centers/columbia-center-childrens-environmental-health/our-research/environmental-exposures/bisphenol-bpa-bisfenol-el-bpa 
2. Bottled water can contain hundreds of thousands of nanoplastics. (2024, January 9). Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. https://www.publichealth.columbia.edu/news/bottled-water-can-contain-hundreds-thousands-nanoplastics 
3. Endocrine disruptors. (n.d.). National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Retrieved August 3, 2024, from https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/endocrine 
4. Microplastics are inside us all. What does that mean for our health? (n.d.). AAMC. Retrieved August 3, 2024, from https://www.aamc.org/news/microplastics-are-inside-us-all-what-does-mean-our-health 
5. Murashima, C. (2024, July 26). I avoided plastic for a week. Here is what I learned about a plastic-free life. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2024/07/26/nx-s1-5021546/plastic-free-sustainable-living-tips 
6. Perkins, T. (2021, July 9). Toxic ‘forever chemicals’ are contaminating plastic food containers. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jul/09/toxic-forever-chemicals-plastic-food-containers Plastic particles in bottled water. (2024, January 22). National Institutes of Health (NIH). https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/plastic-particles-bottled-water