Microplastics: The Silent Invaders Inside Us
Unveiling the Impact of Microplastics on Human Health
Dear Readers,
Welcome to Science Simplified, a newsletter which Unlocks the Wonders of Science, One Simplified Concept at a Time!
In this edition, we delve into the issue of 'Microplastics' and their impact on human health. We find ourselves living in the Plastic Age, where plastic has become ubiquitous in our lives. Not only do we wear plastic materials, but we also unknowingly consume them, passing these harmful particles to our babies through the placenta and breast milk. It's truly concerning! Additionally, plastic pollution is wreaking havoc on our wildlife and leaving a lasting impact on the environment. Now, we are confronted with the unsettling realization that microplastics have also made their way into our bodies. This revelation begs the question: should we be deeply worried? To learn more about this pressing issue, read the full article.
Science Simplified, is a reader-supported publication that covers diverse topics directly impacting your lives. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
The Beginning…
In 1907, a pivotal moment in history occurred when Belgian chemist Leo Baekeland invented the world’s first fully synthetic plastic. This revolutionary creation ushered in the era of mass production and widespread usage of plastics. The appeal of plastic products skyrocketed due to their exceptional versatility, durability, and affordability. However, at that time, the environmental repercussions of plastic production and disposal remained largely unknown.
Plastics, being non-biodegradable, do not naturally decompose over time, leading to the accumulation of plastic waste in the environment and causing pollution.
However, the issue of plastic pollution went largely unchecked until global attention was drawn to it by Captain Charles Moore's discovery of the "Great Pacific Garbage Patch" in 1997. This massive accumulation of plastic debris in the Pacific Ocean brought the problem to the forefront. Despite increased awareness and some governmental responses, the use of plastics has continued to surge rapidly. We now find ourselves in a new era, the "plastic age," where plastics constitute the majority of man-made materials.
In 2019, a staggering 460 million tonnes of plastic was produced worldwide. At this alarming rate, predictions indicate that more than 10,000 million metric tons of mismanaged plastic waste will be released into the natural environment by 2050.
The impact of large plastic wastes on wildlife is dire. Both aquatic and land species have been found to ingest plastic, leading to various health issues and even death. Shockingly, at least 1,565 wildlife species have been affected by plastic pollution. Even Albatrosses, breeding on remote islands thousands of miles away from the mainland, are not spared from the life-threatening consequences of plastic pollution.
What about us? Is plastic also in the daily menu of humans?
Believe it r not, we consume as much plastic as the size of a credit card in just one week. Microplastics, tiny particles of plastic, are now an integral part of our daily lives, either inhaled or ingested.
But Should we worry? What are its impact on our health? Can we do something about it?
Let’s delve into this together…
What, Exactly are Microplastics?
Large plastic wastes that ends up in environment overtime degrades into tiny particles between 5 millimeters and 100 nanometers in diameter, or the width of a pencil eraser and something 10 times thinner than a human hair. Anything smaller than that is known as a nanoplastic.
In 2015, oceanographers estimated a staggering 15 – 51 trillion microplastic particles floating in surface waters worldwide. Over time, these particles degrade into nanoplastics, becoming virtually undetectable.
While we have known about microplastics for over two decades, the focus has primarily been on their presence in water bodies and their impact on marine life. Only in recent years have we become aware of airborne microplastics and their potential impact on human health. It was a marine ecologist, Richard Thompson, who coined the term microplastic in 2004. It was only in recent years that the presence of microplastics in humans was discovered. Now we know that these minuscule particles have the capacity to move into the cells, tissues, and organs of the body.
What are the Sources of microplastics?
Breakdown product of large plastic wastes present in our environment
Microbeads: small, manufactured plastic beads used in personal care and cosmetic products (PCCP), such as cleansing or exfoliating agents, such as shower gels, toothpaste, nail polishes, or eye shadows, amongst many others. Plastic microbeads are a multi-billion dollar market, besides PCCP microbeads are widely used in healthcare, oil and gas markets.
Synthetic clothes: Synthetic clothes, such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic, shed microfibers when laundered. These microfibers are a significant source of microplastics in the environment.
Tyre wear: Tyres wear down over time, releasing tiny particles of rubber into the environment. These particles can contain microplastics and are a significant source of microplastics in the environment.
Plastic manufacturing: The manufacturing process of plastic products can also release microplastics into the environment.
Heating food in plastic containers can lead to the generation of microplastics. Microwaving food in plastic containers can potentially allow microplastics to reach the food. The leaching of harmful chemicals from plastic into food can occur even faster and to a greater degree when exposed to heat.
Microplastics can also be present in water kept in plastic bottles. Studies have shown that microplastics are present in both tap water and bottled water, with an average of 325 plastic particles found in a liter of bottled water compared to 5.5 plastic particles per liter of tap water.
How do plastics enter our bodies?
Microplastics find their way into the human body through several pathways, including:
Ingestion: One of the primary routes of entry is through the consumption of contaminated food and water. Microplastics have been detected in various food items, including seafood, bottled water, and even table salt. When we consume these items, we unknowingly ingest the microplastic particles present in them.
Inhalation: Microplastics can become airborne and be present in the air we breathe, especially in urban environments or areas near plastic production or disposal sites. These particles can be inhaled into our respiratory system, eventually reaching our lungs.
Skin Absorption: Some studies suggest that microplastics, particularly nanoplastics, might be small enough to penetrate the skin's pores. This means that they could potentially enter the body through direct contact with plastic-contaminated surfaces, such as plastic-based cosmetics or personal care products.
Contaminated Dust: Microplastics can settle on surfaces, and over time, they can accumulate in household dust. Humans may come into contact with these particles while touching contaminated surfaces or breathing in dust particles.
Plastics Inside Us
In 2018, for the first time scientists detected presence of microplastics in stools. This study found 20 plastic particles, mostly polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), for every 10 grams of stool. This study caught attention but also it suggested that microplastics can accumulate in the human body and can be excreted through the digestive system.
Next year, a study found the presence of microplastics in most of the human organs and tissue, such as in the lungs, liver, spleen and kidneys. This study was done in cadavers, it suggested that micro plastic accumulation can potentially cause harm.
It was in April 2022, when for the first time researchers discovered microplastics in live human lungs, which was previously thought to be impossible. Microplastics had previously been found in human cadaver autopsy samples, but this was the first study to show them in lungs from live people.
In August, 2022 another study published in journal JAMA reported that microplastics have been detected in human lungs and blood samples. In October, two studies shook lot of us when researchers detected the presence of microplastics in human milk and in human placenta. These studies suggested that microplastics can be passed onto infants through breast milk and even cross the placental barrier. These findings leave scientists on study greatly concerned about the potential health implications for babies.
Till now, microplastics have been confirmed in human blood, lung tissue, colons, placenta, stool and breast milk. These studies suggest that microplastics can accumulate in the human body and potentially cause harm, but the evidence of health risks is still inconclusive. Further research is needed to fully understand the potential health risks associated with microplastics in humans.
“It will be crucial to assess ways to reduce exposure to these contaminants during pregnancy and lactation. But it must be stressed that the advantages of breastfeeding are much greater than the disadvantages caused by the presence of polluting microplastics.” - Valentina Notarstefano, PhD
A new research study has found that microplastics can stick in our respiratory system. The researches on the study developed a computational fluid dynamics model and found that microplastics can stick in the human respiratory system, particularly in areas with lots of mucus, such as the nasal cavity and the trachea.
It is unclear how long microplastics remain in the body before being excreted.
How Microplastics impact our health?
The research on the health effects of microplastics is still relatively new, and there is a lack of comprehensive and long-term studies that specifically focus on the impact of microplastics on human health. More research is needed to fully understand the potential risks and mechanisms of harm associated with microplastics.
Why scientists don’t know for sure the impact of microplastics on our health ?
Why ??
This dearth of knowledge is attributed to various factors:
Complexity of Microplastics: Microplastics come in diverse forms, sizes, and compositions, making them challenging to study comprehensively. Each type of microplastic may exhibit distinct properties and potential health implications, further complicating the research.
Ethical Challenges: Conducting controlled experiments directly on humans to assess the health effects of microplastics raises ethical concerns. As a result, much of the research relies on laboratory studies, animal models, and epidemiological data. While valuable, these methods may have limitations when it comes to accurately extrapolating the findings to human health.
Lack of Long-Term Studies: Long-term studies that track the potential health consequences of microplastic exposure over extended periods are still scarce. Health impacts may not be immediately apparent, and understanding the long-term effects requires continuous monitoring and observation.
Despite these challenges, studies have speculated on potential ways in which microplastics may impact our health. The potential health implications of microplastics include various mechanisms, but more research is necessary to establish concrete evidence and understand the full extent of their impact on human health.
What studies indicate about the Potential Hazards of Microplastics:
Recent studies have shed light on the potential hazards posed by microplastics, revealing that they are not inert particles and can have adverse effects on human health. These studies have shown:
Chemical Contamination: Microplastics can contain various chemicals, including additives such as bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates and contaminants such as infectious microbes, that can potentially leach into the human body and cause harm. A study published in Sept, 2022 found that microplastics can provide a safe haven for viruses, allowing them to stay infectious longer. The porous nature of microplastics provides a perfect environment for microbes to live and reproduce. Another 2022 research study published in PNAS, stated that microplastics should be considered as a ubiquitous environmental hazard, potentially promoting the (re)emergence of infectious diseases. We have only recently become aware of the potential relationships between plastic and pathogens.
They can cause physical and mechanical harm to internal organs, leading to abnormalities. Microplastics can interfere with the production, release, transport, metabolism, and elimination of hormones, which can lead to serious complications. Changes in hormonal balance can lead to metabolic disorders, developmental disorders, and even reproductive disorders (i.e., infertility, miscarriage, and congenital malformations).
Microplastics disrupt the integrity of the intestinal barrier and can be uptaken into the bloodstream. Studies in mice have shown that exposure to microplastics can disrupt the gut microbiome, leading to inflammation and other negative effects. Further research is needed to understand the impact of microplastics on the gut microbiome in humans. Microplastics may cause changes in the intestinal microbiome, resulting in an imbalance between beneficial and harmful bacteria.
Respiratory Symptoms: Microplastics may cause inflammation and oxidative stress in the airways and lungs when inhaled, leading to respiratory symptoms.
Research has shown that microplastics can cause disturbances in lipid metabolism, which can lead to health problems such as obesity and diabetes.
Toxicological Effects: Studies have shown that microplastics can have potential toxicological effects on human cells and organs, such as the liver and kidneys.
Possible Link to Breast Cancer: A report by Breast Cancer UK states that studies have yet to demonstrate a link between microplastics and breast cancer risk, but such a link is feasible. Plastic components such as bisphenols and additives, including phthalates, heavy metals such as cadmium, PFAS or flame retardants, all leach from microplastics. They can act as oestrogen mimics at low concentrations and so may increase breast cancer risk. However, the report acknowledges that more research is needed to fully understand the potential health risks associated with microplastics.
Can we avoid microplastics ? Let’s break it down!
Microplastic exposure is a complex issue, but we can address it by focusing on the three main gateways through which microplastics enter our bodies.
Inhalation: Breathing is unavoidable, and wearing masks indefinitely is not a practical solution. Instead, let's concentrate on the other two entry points: ingestion and absorption through skin pores.
Ingestion: To reduce microplastic intake through food and beverages, avoid items packaged in plastic, cosmetics, toothpaste containing microplastics, and clothing made of synthetic fibers. You can take immediate action with the following steps:
Filter your drinking water to remove microplastics, as bottled water often contains double the amount found in tap water.
Opt for reusable alternatives to single-use plastics like bags, straws, and utensils.
Store food in metal or glass containers, avoiding plastic containers that can break down into microplastics when used over time.
Use glass or ceramic containers instead of plastic when heating food to prevent microplastic release.
Consider using a reusable cup instead of takeaway cups lined with plastic.
Prioritize fresh produce over processed foods, as they are less likely to expose you to microplastics.
Skin Absorption: Minimize the use of plastic-based cosmetics and personal care products, as they may contain microplastics that can penetrate the skin.
At present, scientists lack direct evidence to definitively state the impact of microplastics on human health. While research is ongoing, it is essential to recognize the potential risks based on their effects observed in animals and cultured cells, as well as their presence in our bodies and even in our babies. Cleaning up microplastics is not a feasible solution, as they are pervasive in the environment, and macroplastics will degrade into microplastics for millennia. Understanding the risks is crucial, and although the full health implications remain uncertain, taking proactive steps to limit microplastic exposure is a responsible approach.
The bottom line is, even though conclusive evidence is yet to emerge, being aware of the risks and the presence of microplastics in our environment and bodies should prompt us to take action now rather than wait for scientific certainty. By making conscious choices in our daily lives, we can reduce our exposure to microplastics and contribute to a healthier future.
Thank you for reading Science Simplified! We'd love to know what you liked. Also, if you like what you read, show us your love by sharing this article to at least one person.
Thank you for your support, and we look forward to bringing you more engaging content!