Microplastics: How they enter the body and affect health.

Many people know that microplastics can end up in the digestive tracts of whales or other forms of sea life, and while they have a significant impact on the environment, they impact human health as well. Microplastics are about five millimeters in diameter and are the result of plastics becoming worn down and broken up into smaller pieces. Tragic images of dead fish or turtles washing up on the beach have circulated the internet. People are becoming more and more aware of how incredibly detrimental plastic is to the environment. These plastics are also destroying our health. It’s estimated that the average individual ingests about 50,000 microplastics particles per year. This number increases by two to three times for individuals who consistently use plastic water bottles to drink water. Now, it is known that using plastic bottles does not just contribute to the hundreds of millions of metric tons of plastic produced per year, but the mere act of drinking from a plastic bottle can continuously harm your health. 

There are many chemicals in plastic that allow it to maintain its qualities of transparency and durability. Approximately chemicals used to manufacture plastic have been identified as potential endocrine disruptors. Endocrine disruptors function by mimicking hormones that the human body needs such as testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, and more. In doing so, it interferes with future production and function of these hormones resulting in increased risk of chronic diseases, various disorders, and a potential cause of infertility. Studies have shown that Bisphenol (A) (BPA), a commonly used chemical in the manufacturing of plastic products such as containers for beverages, food, or toys. Because humans and food so commonly come in contact with this chemical, the ingestion of it through microplastics and prolonged exposure has shown to cause infertility in both men and women. Additionally, research has shown that BPA can also lead to the development of polycystic ovary syndrome. In the United States alone, about 1 in 5 women have difficulty getting pregnant after one year of trying, meaning they are infertile. Considering 19% of women in the U.S. are infertile, the continuous use of plastic containers that contribute to infertility is very concerning. 

Chemicals in microplastics can also cause various chronic diseases. A chemical known as phthalate can often be found in various food packaging for meat, dairy seafood, and even some cosmetic products. Because of this, phthalates can be ingested in the form of microplastics with some studies finding that they can increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the United States with a person dying every 33 seconds. It’s vital that people are aware of the risk microplastics cause and how to avoid ingesting them. Some recommended solutions are not microwaving foods in plastic containers. Studies have shown that microwaving plastics release billions of nanometer-wide microplastics into the food contributing to risks of such diseases. Even plastics labeled as safe to microwave expose people to chemicals such as polyethylene and polypropylene. Scientists warn that any exposure to these chemicals can be very harmful over time. A few strategies for avoiding the ingestion of microplastics are not microwaving foods in plastic containers or packaging, avoid using plastic water bottles and opt for metal or glass containers, and avoiding canned products. 

With the usage of plastic containers and integration of plastic usage into daily life, it is more important than ever to be aware of the detrimental effects microplastics have on human health. It is vital to take the time to establish strategies to lower microplastic consumption and exposure. The effects and research listed in this article only begin to cover the reality of how plastics impact human health as this is a very new concern.