You may have heard the term “microplastics”; it refers to microscopic plastic particles that have become an ever-present threat to our environment in recent years. Microplastics can damage the ecosystems that sustain us and can even impact our ability to breathe clean air. Moreover, recent research has revealed their presence in some unexpected places. This raises concerns about their long-term effects on our health and habitat.
In today’s world, protecting yourself from microplastics has become more important than ever. These tiny plastic particles, often smaller than a grain of sand, have found their way into nearly every corner of our environment, from the air we breathe to the food we eat and the water we drink. Microplastics are released through the breakdown of everyday plastics, synthetic fabrics, and even some personal care products. As studies continue to reveal their potential impact on human health, understanding how to reduce your exposure is essential for maintaining long-term wellness.
Microplastics can accumulate in the body over time and may be linked to inflammation, hormonal disruption, and other health concerns. While it’s impossible to eliminate them completely, there are many simple and effective ways to minimize contact in your daily routine. Choosing natural fibers instead of synthetics, switching to glass or stainless-steel containers, and using water filters designed to trap microplastics are easy first steps. Avoiding single-use plastics and buying fresh, unpackaged foods can also significantly cut down your personal exposure.
Protecting yourself from microplastics isn’t just about your own health; it’s also about protecting the planet. Every small change you make helps reduce the amount of plastic pollution entering our oceans, soil, and air. From mindful shopping habits to supporting brands committed to sustainability, individual choices have a lasting impact.
By taking proactive steps today, you can protect your home, your body, and the environment from the hidden dangers of microplastic contamination. With awareness and small daily actions, protecting yourself from microplastics becomes an achievable, empowering goal, one that promotes both personal health and a cleaner future for everyone.
While scientists have known for years that plastics pollute both indoor and outdoor air, more recent research has found actual pieces of plastic inside human lungs. Thanks to this growing body of research, we have more insight into micro and nano plastics that show inhalation is a major route of plastic pollution exposure for humans and animals. Although the full effects of microplastics on our health are still largely unknown, occupational research suggests that inhalation is harmful.
Where Do Microplastics Originate?
Microplastics and even smaller nanoplastics are tiny particles and fibers of plastic that have broken off of larger plastic items like everyday things like clothing, furniture, and even food packaging. They are commonly recognized as a byproduct and consequence of plastic manufacturing and pollution. They are typically millimeters or smaller in size. As an example, this would be equivalent to being only four times as wide as a single grain of sand.
Unfortunately, they have made their way into nearly every ecosystem and element on our planet. Recent studies have shown that these particles are even heavily present in the air we breathe, with research suggesting we inhale as many as 11.3 microplastics per hour. Current data on how human health is affected by inhaling microplastics is adding new insight into our understanding of exposure to microplastics.
Significant Sources Of Microplastics:
- Weathered, heated, and eroded polymers, otherwise known as tire dust
- Textiles that are made with synthetic fibers like polyester, acrylic, and nylon
- Plastic packaging particles that have broken down
- Plastic manufacturing particles that shed, break off, spill, or escape
Two Main Types Of Microplastics:
Primary Microplastics – purposely manufactured in small sizes, these types of microplastics are commonly used in cosmetics and skincare products. A frequently used example includes microbeads, used most often in cleansers and body and face washes for exfoliation. Other examples of primary microplastics include pellets, which are used to make food wrappers, nylon, and even plastic threads in things like fishing nets.
Secondary Microplastics – Created when larger plastic products are broken down into smaller fragments, these types of microplastics come from things like single-use plastic water bottles or thin plastic shopping bags that have been left out in the sun for extended periods of time. Secondary microplastics can also include products like fishing nets and plastic toys that have broken down from everyday wear and tear. Some additional sources are tire dust and plastic food packaging.
Outdoor Microplastic Sources
Airborne microplastics in outdoor environments arise from a diverse range of sources, from traffic exhaust, agricultural activities, industrial emissions, and construction materials to textiles, landfill debris, and marine microplastics. Traffic emissions are particularly troublesome with significant levels of airborne microplastics generated through wear-and-tear on tires, brakes, and road surfaces.
Despite this, these emissions vary based on many characteristics. For example, tire wear and tear, vehicle type, driving habits, road surface quality, and other relevant factors, including traffic density, speed, and climate-related stresses, play a large role. While it’s clear that traffic-related and other forms of airborne microplastics are a definite cause for concern, further research will give us a more comprehensive understanding of their impacts on human health.
Indoor Microplastic Sources
Microplastics that originate indoors come primarily from synthetic fibers used for clothing and textiles, including polyester, nylon, and acrylic. These sources release microplastics into the air during usage, everyday wear-and-tear, washing and drying, and even heat exposure. In addition, plastic-based furnishings, paints, and coatings can contribute to indoor airborne microplastic pollution, as do particles from plastic bottles, shopping bags, carpets, and other manufactured materials.
Some other factors influencing levels of airborne indoor microplastics in our homes include building design, household decorations and décor, lifestyle choices, and even the daily activities we choose to do. With that said, it should be noted that research into indoor airborne microplastics is still very new, and further study is still needed to understand the full scope of their sources and impacts on human health.
Informative Microplastic Stats:
- There are thought to be 14 million tons of microplastics at the bottom of the ocean Harvard University
- Equivalent to 30 billion half-liter water bottles, there are up to 24 trillion pieces of microplastics in the ocean Kyushu University
- Microplastics have even been found in the bloodstream and lungs BMC
- Per week, we could potentially be consuming up to a credit card’s worth of microplastics University of Newcastle
Potential Harmful Effects of Microplastics on Our Health
Humans and animals are capable of absorbing and ingesting tiny, dangerous microplastics through various routes, including inhalation and ingestion. Research has uncovered microplastics in human lungs, brains, hearts, blood, placentas, and feces. Although the full extent of their health implications on humans is still not completely known, studies conducted on mice exposed to microplastics have suggested some health concerns. These can include behavioral changes, links to cancer, and even irritable bowel syndrome or IBS.
Some of the microplastics found in lungs include polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), among other synthetic compounds used in the production of plastic materials. These particles, which can range in size from 30 to 1000 microns (the width of a human hair), can easily find their way into the respiratory system and potentially cause negative effects when inhaled.
In particular, microplastics that are ingested could potentially have a major effect on the brain, bloodstream, and respiratory system. as carriers of EDCs or endocrine disrupting chemicals, these particles may even disrupt regular hormonal processes, resulting in immunotoxicity, oxidative stress, neurotoxicity, cytotoxicity, developmental defects, and decreased fertility.
The microplastics that do make their way into and build up in the lungs may result in inflammation, chronic damage, asthma, and lung cancer The likelihood of adverse health effects increases with the size of the particles inhaled. This is due to the fact that smaller particles have a higher absorption capacity for toxic chemicals. When further broken apart, these particles have a greater overall surface area compared to larger particles. Microplastics can even enter the bloodstream after exposure and travel to the brain, which could potentially have a detrimental impact on neurological health and cognitive function.
How To Protect Yourself From Microplastic Exposure:
1.) Pay Attention to Food and Drinks
A quality water filter that can remove microplastics, such as a reverse osmosis system or carbon block filter, will help keep your water supply cleaner. Additionally, try to avoid using single-use plastic cups and water bottles, which are a significant source of microplastics.
Steer clear of plastic food containers and choose glass, stainless, or ceramic instead. This is crucial when reheating food, as it tends to leach the most microplastics when heated.
Limiting processed food as much as possible will also help avoid microplastics, as some studies suggest they have potentially higher levels of contamination. Opting for fresher whole food options is always your best bet.
2.) Reduce the Amount of Plastic You Use
It’s a smart rule to try and avoid single-use plastics as much as possible. Limiting our use of plastic straws, cutlery, and plates and using reusable and sustainable options instead can go a long way in protecting the health of the planet and our bodies. Try stainless, bamboo, or glass instead.
Purchasing products in bulk will help reduce packaging waste, as will utilizing reusable shopping bags and containers instead. This will help reduce waste and also keep these plastic items out of our homes.
3.) Be Selective When Buying Clothes
Buying clothing items that are crafted from natural fibers instead of synthetic ones like polyester, nylon, or acrylic will make a huge difference when it comes to reducing the amount of microplastics in your home. Synthetic plastic fibers are known for shedding during everyday wear and repeated washing and drying cycles. They can also enter waterways and contaminate the environment that way as well. Opting for clothes made from natural fibers like cotton, wood, or help is a healthier alternative as they naturally break down over time without producing harmful microplastics.
4.) Invest in a Quality Air Purifier
Inhalation of microscopic plastic particles is a potential risk when you’re exposed to microplastics. No matter the particle, when its size is 2.5nm or PM 2.5, it can lead to inflammation and irritation of the lungs. Thankfully, a quality HEPA air purifier that’s capable of trapping these particles can make a big difference in the air quality inside your space. As a result, it could ultimately lead to a reduction in the amount of microplastics you may possibly be inhaling inside your own home. The Honeywell HPA5300 Insight™ HEPA Air Purifier For Extra Large Rooms works to remove up to 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns in size. In addition, the Advanced HEPA+ Air Purifier also works to capture 99.97% of airborne particulates including dust, pollen, pet dander, dust mite debris, and even wildfire smoke, ensuring your home’s air is fresher, cleaner, and healthier.
Be sure to check out our other blog posts like “Finding the best air purifier for you” to find just the right fit for you and your home today!