How to Survive Microplastic era | What We Breathe, Eat, and Wear Might Be Slowly Changing Us

Plastic in Our Veins: Surviving the Microplastic Era

Micro plastics, what’s all the buzz about these tiny plastic particles? You’ve heard of the Ice Age, right? And we've all studied the Stone Age in history books. Well, we’re at a point where some are even suggesting we are now living in the "Plasticine" era. It's been given a name because micro plastics are literally everywhere. Take, for example, a simple table saw: over 94% of brands contain micro plastics. They’re not just on Earth’s surface, either—these tiny particles have even made their way to the top of Mount Everest. It’s evident that these micro plastics are here to stay for a long time, and it's crucial to understand them better.

You might be asking, "Why is there so much concern about micro plastics?" Well, today, we’re going to dive deep into understanding the impact of micro plastics on the human body, their sizes, and how they’ve become an inescapable part of our daily lives.

What Exactly Are Micro plastics? Micro plastics are any tiny piece of plastic that is less than 5 millimeters in size. To give you a clearer picture, that’s roughly the size of a pencil eraser. But there’s also something even smaller called Nano plastics. These are plastic pieces smaller than 1 micron, and just for perspective, 1 micron is about 1/8th the size of a red blood cell. If you can’t imagine what a red blood cell looks like, just know it's incredibly small, so you can imagine how microscopic these plastics are.

Thanks to advancements in technology, we’ve realized that the microplastic problem is far more extensive than we ever imagined. While you may think of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch when it comes to plastic pollution, micro plastics are not only found in oceans—they're everywhere, including on land. Everyday actions contribute to the problem. For instance, driving on the road causes car tires to release micro plastics due to normal road wear. The clothes you wear—made of synthetic fabrics like polyester or nylon—shed microplastic fibers every time they’re worn and washed. Even cosmetics, something most of us use daily, can contribute. Approximately 9 out of 10 cosmetic products from major brands contain micro plastics. That means simply washing your face or using skincare products could contribute to microplastic pollution in our waterways.

And those water bottles we drink from? Well, they’re no better. When exposed to heat or even when opened and closed repeatedly, they shed micro plastics into the air or the water inside. In a sense, plastic is like fluffy fur—it sheds micro plastics constantly. They’re in the food and water we consume, the air we breathe, and they even enter our skin through wounds, sweat glands, and hair follicles.

How Much Plastic Are We Actually Consuming? Research has shown that an average person could be ingesting up to 5 grams of plastic each week, which is roughly equivalent to the weight of a credit card. Over the course of a year, that adds up to a whole dinner plate’s worth of plastic. That’s a lot of plastic to consume without even realizing it.

So, where does all this plastic end up in our bodies? Unfortunately, it’s not just a passing inconvenience. These micro plastics have been found in various parts of the human body—our blood, saliva, liver, kidneys, placenta, lungs, heart, and even breast milk. Yes, they’re everywhere, infiltrating nearly every part of our biological systems. They’ve even been detected in the brain, and that’s really alarming.

What Are the Health Risks of Micro plastics? As if all of this wasn’t worrying enough, the most concerning part is that we don’t yet fully understand the long-term implications of these micro plastics on our health. Research is still in its early stages, but initial findings suggest they may be linked to a range of health issues. These include inflammatory bowel disease, complications from strokes and heart attacks, immune system dysfunction, inhibited lung tissue growth, and even colorectal cancer.

Researching the physical effects of micro plastics is incredibly complex. It’s not just about the plastic itself but also all the various chemicals that plastic particles may carry with them. According to National Geographic’s senior editor, Sarah Gibbons, plastic is composed of polymers, which are essentially chemical mixtures. Thousands of different chemicals are used to make plastics more durable, heat-resistant, or soft, including substances like BPA. Some of these chemicals, like BPA, are known endocrine disruptors, meaning they can interfere with hormone production and regulation in the human body. That can lead to serious health consequences, including increased risk of cancer.

While BPA is one of the most well-known chemicals used in plastics, it’s just the tip of the iceberg. There are over 10,000 chemicals involved in the production of various plastic products, and we still don’t fully understand what many of them could be doing to our bodies. The fact that micro plastics are so small and lightweight means they can easily hitch a ride on water molecules or be carried by the wind, traveling across vast distances. So, micro plastics from halfway across the world can end up in your backyard.

What steps can we take to lower our exposure to micro plastics? Unfortunately, there’s no way to completely escape micro plastics. As much as we’d like to rid the world of them, plastic is deeply embedded in our modern society, and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. However, there are ways we can reduce our exposure, even if just a little bit.

Adopting an "avoid the avoidable" mentality can help. For example, choosing clothing made from natural fabrics like cotton, linen, wool, or silk instead of synthetic fibers can reduce the shedding of micro plastics. Similarly, opting for glass and metal products over plastic is another way to minimize your exposure. One easy change you can make today is to stop heating food in plastic containers. Even if the label says they’re "microwave safe," it’s better to transfer food to a plate instead.

While individual action may not solve the problem entirely, there’s hope. Scientists around the world are actively working on solutions. For instance, researchers have discovered fungi that can biodegrade polypropylene, the plastic used in syringes, cling wrap, and cleaning product bottles. This type of plastic makes up 28% of global plastic waste. And here’s something even more exciting: there’s a bacteria that can be engineered into products like cell phone cases, memory foam, and skateboard wheels. This bacteria stays dormant during the product's life and only activates when exposed to compost, allowing the plastic to self-destruct.

Additionally, new methods are being developed to remove micro plastics from the environment. A non-toxic solvent has been created that works in both fresh and saltwater environments and can trap and remove up to 98% of nanoplastics. Once collected, these plastics can be repurposed for new uses, giving us a chance to reuse the materials that have been causing harm.

While we don’t yet have all the answers, what we know about micro plastics is enough to understand that less exposure is better. It’s still early days for research, and we are just beginning to uncover the potential risks micro plastics pose to our health. Until more is understood, it’s important to take steps to reduce exposure where possible, and support global efforts aimed at finding sustainable solutions. After all, the battle against micro plastics might be overwhelming, but it’s not entirely hopeless.

The infiltration of microplastics into our daily lives is a reality many are only beginning to grasp. These tiny plastic particles—often less than five millimeters in size—are everywhere: in our oceans, soil, air, and even within the food we eat and the water we drink. Unlike larger plastic waste, microplastics are nearly invisible, making their impact harder to detect and even more insidious.

One of the most concerning aspects of microplastics is their ability to absorb and transport toxic chemicals. As these particles travel through environments, they pick up pollutants like pesticides, heavy metals, and persistent organic pollutants (POPs). When ingested by marine life, microplastics become vehicles for these toxins, which then bioaccumulate up the food chain, potentially reaching humans in significant amounts.

Researchers have found microplastics in seafood, sea salt, and even in bottled and tap water worldwide. The long-term health effects on humans remain poorly understood, but early studies suggest links to inflammation, oxidative stress, and disruptions in the endocrine system. Vulnerable populations, such as pregnant women and children, may be especially at risk.

Living in the microplastic era requires new strategies to reduce exposure. First, individuals can minimize use of single-use plastics such as bottles, bags, and straws. Choosing natural fibers over synthetic clothing also helps, as tiny fibers shed during washing contribute significantly to microplastic pollution. Washing machines fitted with filters and using washing bags designed to capture microfibers can limit this problem at the source.

Water filtration systems are another line of defense. While not all filters can remove microplastics, some advanced technologies, including reverse osmosis and certain activated carbon filters, show promising results in reducing particle load. Consumers should research and invest in water purification methods best suited for their local water conditions.

Dietary choices matter as well. Eating a diet rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory foods may help mitigate the potential harm caused by microplastic-related toxins. Foods high in fiber can aid the body in eliminating waste, while reducing intake of heavily processed foods lowers the risk of ingesting plastics that have leached chemicals during manufacturing.

On a broader scale, combating microplastic pollution demands systemic change. Policy measures targeting plastic production, improved waste management infrastructure, and innovations in biodegradable materials are urgently needed. Public awareness campaigns play a key role in educating communities about the sources and risks of microplastics, empowering individuals to make informed decisions.

Scientists are also exploring new technologies for microplastic detection and removal. Innovations like floating cleanup devices, advanced filtration systems for wastewater plants, and bioremediation using bacteria that break down plastics offer hope for the future. However, these solutions require time, investment, and global cooperation.

Ultimately, survival in the microplastic era hinges on recognizing the interconnectedness of human health and environmental stewardship. Each plastic item avoided, each policy enforced, and each research breakthrough contributes to reducing the invisible plastic burden we carry. By embracing sustainable lifestyles and supporting scientific progress, individuals and societies can navigate this new challenge toward a cleaner, healthier planet.