Microplastics in the Body: What’s Really Known and What You Can Do Today
Microplastics in the body turn up almost everywhere scientists look — and the headlines are alarming. Let’s calmly sort out where they come from, what researchers know and don’t know yet, and which simple steps at home cut down on unnecessary contact with plastic.
Questions and answers
How do microplastics get into the body?
They enter with water, food, air and household dust. Researchers name plastic bottles, food, cosmetics and synthetic clothing among the sources.
How much microplastic is in the human body?
No one knows exactly — measurement is very difficult and yields different numbers. According to one estimate cited by the Harvard School of Public Health, Americans take in about 121,000 particles a year from food and air.
Are microplastics in the body bad for you?
There’s no definitive answer yet. Some studies link plastic in arterial plaque to cardiovascular risks, but that’s an association, not a proven cause — research is ongoing.
How do you get microplastics out of your body?
There’s currently no proven way to remove microplastics — neither teas nor “detox” programs can do it. What really works is reducing intake: don’t drink from plastic, don’t heat food in it, and dust more often.
Read also
Sources
- AAMC — Microplastics are inside us all. What does that mean for our health?
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health — Microplastics a growing challenge to health and the environment
- Mayo Clinic News Network — What’s lurking in your body? Mayo researchers probing health risks of tiny plastic particles