The average adult consumes a credit card’s worth of microplastics every week, according to news.stanford.edu. Microplastics consist of pieces of plastic that are less than five millimeters and become nearly impossible to remove where they accumulate. Scientists have found microplastics on mountains, in the ocean, in the air, and in drinking water, according to clientearth.org. As increased data emerges and scientists make conclusions regarding microplastics, it is increasingly crucial for people to limit their exposure because microplastics have detrimental effects on the environment and the health of the human body. Although plastic appliances are easier and cheaper to access, they create an irreversible effect on organisms with which they come into contact with, whether humans or the environment. Therefore, it is vital that humans take all means necessary to limit their intake of microplastics and utilize alternative options.
There are countless ways in which microplastics enter the human body. However, the two most common ways are through swallowing and breathing them in. In fact, many soils contain microplastics, resulting in contaminated fruits and vegetables, according to sciencenews.org. Additionally, single-use plastics, especially those containing food or liquid, shed microplastics into the substance, according to sustainability.wustl.edu. Essentially, microplastics are everywhere. Thus, trying to eliminate the use of single-use water bottles and plastic containers are critical ways to help reduce exposure to microplastics in humans.
Likewise, when humans inhale microplastics, they embed into the body, according to pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. To ameliorate this detrimental effect, vacuuming has become a way of making an effort to reduce the microplastics in the air, according to The New York Times. Eliminating these invisible particles is somewhat impossible as they are present all around. Although limiting single-use plastics altogether is difficult, the long-term effects of this mindful practice will lead to better overall well-being and a cleaner planet.
A range of symptoms can occur as a result of ingesting and consuming microplastics. Toxic chemical additives often contaminate microplastics during the manufacturing process. When these toxic microplastics accumulate in the body, they can result in damaging effects on the reproductive and hormonal system, according to ewg.org. Additionally, when microplastics enter the body, they pose the risk of affecting oxidative stress, deoxyribonucleic acid damage, organ dysfunction, metabolic disorders, immune responses, and neurotoxicity, according to pubs.acs.org. Not only this, but doctors found that 77 percent of people tested had microplastics in their bloodstream. Furthermore, microplastics act as endocrine disruptors, and there is strong reason to link microplastics to cancer, according to henryford.com. The root of the problem is that microplastics are so minuscule that they get into the cells of the body, disrupting the natural way our bodies tend to work. The plethora of health effects caused by exposure to microplastics is astronomically concerning due to the fact that microplastics are found in numerous places that humans come into contact with daily. To limit the risk of receiving a diagnosis of various cancers, heart and lung disease, and other metabolic disorders, it is essential to limit the exposure of microplastics.
Microplastics pose a great risk to animals, specifically fish and marine life, according to pubs.acs.org. Because of their small size, animals often mistake microplastics for food. After the animals ingest the plastics, reproductive problems can arise, such as, reducing fertility, impairing sperm production, and alerting hormone levels, according to oceanservice.noaa.gov. 358 trillion microplastics are floating on the surface of the world’s oceans. The microplastics emerging in marine ecosystems is a threat to environmental safety, according to news.mongabay.com. In return, humans will suffer the consequences of animals ingesting microplastics. Eating terrestrial meats, seafood, or other plant-based proteins increase chances of consuming microplastics, according to sciencedirect.com. Therefore, it is essential to limit of microplastics in the environment because of the adverse effects on the climate, oceans, and animal life
Of course, plastics are easier to obtain and often cost less than alternative options. For example, highly processed foods, which contains high levels of microplastics, tend to be cheaper than whole, unprocessed food, according to sustainability.wustl.edu. Also, bottled glass water is significantly more expensive than plastic bottles. In society, greater variety of plastic appliances exists, making them cheaper as a whole. However, glass is heavier and requires more energy to manufacture, making it susceptible to creating a negative environmental effect, according to oceanblueproject.org. Although plastic appliances are easier and more affordable to acquire, they pose an irreversible threat to ecosystems and wildlife. Additionally, this leads to an escalated risk of humans ingesting microplastics, which can result in a multitude of health problems. Therefore, the additional cost of alternative practices are absolutely essential for longevity and the protection of the environment.
Nonetheless, in the long run, glass bottled water and whole, unprocessed organic foods are essential for longevity and overall well-being. Eliminating microplastics in any area of life is absolutely essential for the body’s health and the environment. Scientists have linked microplastics to increased chances of receiving diagnoses of cancer, lung disease, heart disease, and other various illnesses. As increased data emerges, awareness of microplastics becomes vital to understand what health effects the body is susceptible to and what long-term environmental effects may occur.
Featured Image by Claire McMonagle ’27
