Microplastics: Small in Size, Big in Consequence

Plastics: The Beginning of Disposable Consumption

Plastics have been used commercially for well over 100 years. The first fully synthetic plastic, Bakelite, was invented in 1907 by Leo Baekeland and served not only as a very effective insulator, but was also well suited for production due to its high durability and ease of being molded. Bakelite was revolutionary for its time and set the stage for a new era of plastic manufacturing.

By the 1940s, plastic use exploded. World War II introduced a high demand for large-scale production of materials that were both durable and easy to manufacture quickly. During wartime, it was also essential to preserve natural resources, so production of synthetic materials took precedence. This rapid increase in plastic manufacturing continued after the war ended, marking the beginning of a commercial and cultural shift towards single-use, synthetic consumption. Plastic became integrated into the global market and has been used ever since.

However, since 1950, annual plastic production has increased nearly 230-fold, with decades worth of plastic degrading while more is still being produced. This breakdown of plastics over time results in small fragments of plastic being left behind; these small plastic particles are referred to as microplastics, and as of today, they are everywhere.

What Are Microplastics and Where Are They Found?

Microplastics, defined by their size, are any plastic particles smaller than 5 millimeters, but they can get as small as 1 nanometer (though particles in the nanometer category are becoming increasingly referred to as nanoplastics). There are two types of microplastics: primary and secondary. Primary microplastics are intentionally manufactured to be a small size, used for products such as microbeads in cosmetics, while secondary microplastics are shed from larger plastic products such as water bottles. 

Due to the omnipresence of plastic products today, microplastics are found in virtually everything that we purchase, use, wear, and come into contact with: clothing, makeup, food, drinking water, cleaning products, trash, soil, and even dust. They are even found in the human body, which raises concerns about the impacts these tiny plastic particles have on our health.

Impact of Microplastics on Human Health:

Microplastics have been detected in human tissues, organs, and even bodily fluids, such as blood and saliva. Due to their small size, it is very easy for microplastics to be absorbed through the skin from clothing, cosmetic products, or the environment, inhaled from contaminated air, or consumed when eating food that contains these particles.

Microplastics have a variety of impacts on different bodily systems as they accumulate:

• Cardiovascular health- The presence of microplastics in the cardiovascular system can increase inflammation and blood pressure. Additionally, when present in arterial plaque, they can elevate the risk of heart attack and stroke by 4.5 times.

• Reproductive health- Microplastics disrupt endocrine function by interfering with the production of sex hormones, decrease fertility by lowering sperm counts and impacting follicular function, and accumulate in reproductive tissues, including the ovaries and testes. These accumulations can lead to lower placental size, restrict fetal growth, and even result in reproductive issues in offspring.

• Digestive system- Consuming microplastics disrupts the balance of the gut microbiome, damages epithelial cells, promotes inflammation, and may increase the likelihood of developing inflammatory bowel disease.

• Respiratory function- Microplastics that get absorbed into the respiratory system can result in inflammation, decreased lung function, oxidative stress, cellular damage, and contribute to conditions such as asthma, pneumonia, and pulmonary fibrosis.

How to Reduce Exposure to Microplastics:

Microplastics are disruptive to the body’s systems, resulting in cell damage, inflammation, hormonal disruptions, and increased risk of chronic conditions. However, by making simple lifestyle changes, there are many ways to reduce the frequency of which you encounter microplastics, thereby reducing the likelihood that your health will be negatively impacted.

Some ways to reduce inadvertent consumption of microplastics are to:

• Avoid plastic water bottles- Use reusable water bottles, such as those made from glass or stainless steel, and avoid plastic bottles, which can leach plastics into drinking water.

• Avoid plastic containers- Don’t reheat food in plastic containers. When heated, plastic degrades quickly and can leach into food, so opt for glass or ceramic containers instead. Likewise, storing food in glass, ceramic, or stainless steel containers reduces the likelihood of microplastics leaching into food.

• Don’t use non-stick cookware- Use stainless steel, cast iron, or ceramic cookware rather than those that contain non-stick coatings, which can release microplastics into food if the non-stick surface gets scratched.

• Reduce consumption of packaged foods- Limit consumption of highly processed foods, which can contain leached plastics from their packaging.

• Limit single-use plastics- Reduce use of plastic bags, as well as straws and cups, which shed microplastics into food/drinks and into the environment after being thrown away. Instead, swap plastics for reusable or paper alternatives.

• Use water filters- Filter tap water through methods such as reverse osmosis, which can remove up to 80% of microplastics.

• Opt for natural fibers over synthetic- Choose natural fibers such as cotton, wool, or silk for clothing and bedding rather than those made from synthetic fibers, such as polyester or nylon.

• Wash synthetic clothes with care- Wash clothes containing synthetic fibers in a small load on a gentle/short cycle with cold water to reduce particle shedding, Additionally, air or line dry when possible to avoid additional shedding from tumble drying.

• Clean often and with plastic-free supplies- Clean often by dusting and vacuuming to remove microplastics from surfaces. Additionally, swap plastic cleaning supplies for natural alternatives, such as cotton dishcloths, bamboo brushes, and steel wool.

• Use an Air Purifier- Remove and trap microplastics from the air in your home by using air purifiers equipped with HEPA filters.

Conclusion:

Microplastics, despite being so small that they may go unnoticed, have big consequences. Due to decades of mass production of plastic products, the presence of microplastics in our soil, air, water, and bodies has grown massively, and the impacts of these tiny particles on our health are only just starting to be studied. One thing’s for sure though: they’re here to stay. Although we can’t eliminate them, reducing exposure to microplastics in daily life by swapping products that contain plastic for sustainable and natural alternatives is the best way to reduce the chances of experiencing negative health effects in the future. 

References

Corliss, J., & Cannon, C. P. (2024, June 1). Microplastics in arteries linked to heart disease risk. Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/microplastics-in-arteries-linked-to-heart-disease-risk

Dutchen, S. (n.d.). Microplastics Everywhere. Harvard Medicine Magazine. https://magazine.hms.harvard.edu/articles/microplastics-everywhere

FlyD (2021, May 2021). Straws turn into microplastics. [Image]. Unsplash. https://unsplash.com/@flyd2069

History and Future of Plastics. (n.d.). Science History Institute. https://www.sciencehistory.org/education/classroom-activities/role-playing-games/case-of-plastics/history-and-future-of-plastics/

How to Reduce Your Exposure to Microplastics. (2025, June 11). BlueCross BlueShield of Vermont. https://www.bluecrossvt.org/health-community/blog/listing/how-reduce-your-exposure-microplastics

Inam, Ö. (2025, January 16). Impact of microplastics on female reproductive health: insights from animal and human experimental studies: a systematic review. PMC. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12176963/

Saha, S. C., & Saha, G. (2024, January 11). Effect of microplastics deposition on human lung airways: A review with computational benefits and challenges. PMC. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10826726/

Wang, F. (2025, January 28). Impact of microplastics on the human digestive system: From basic to clinical. PMC. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11718642/

Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board