Microplastics — miniscule particles measuring less than 5 millimeters that form when larger pieces of plastics break down — are now a significant concern in our environment. Because of their size, they easily penetrate and accumulate in the body. In 2019, 460 million tons of plastics were produced,1 and estimates say that production will triple by 2060.2
Hence, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that microplastics are ubiquitous, showing up not just in our oceans and food chains, but also in the very air we breathe.
While the long-term health effects of airborne microplastics are still being researched, studies are increasingly connecting them to various health problems, including respiratory, digestive and reproductive health.
From Trash to Air — The Journey of Microplastics
Where do microplastics come from? The primary culprit is the breakdown of larger plastics. Microplastics are categorized into two main types — primary and secondary. Primary microplastics are intentionally manufactured to be small, like the microbeads once used in facial scrubs.
Meanwhile, secondary microplastics are formed from the breakdown of larger plastic items due to weathering, sunlight and physical abrasion. Think of a plastic bottle left in the sun; over time, it will become brittle and break down into smaller and smaller pieces, eventually becoming microplastics.3,4 These microscopic plastic fragments are carried by wind and air currents for vast distances, making microplastic pollution a global problem.
Microplastics also become airborne through our everyday activities. Did you know that washing clothes with synthetic fabrics releases tiny plastic fibers? Even the dust inside your house might contain microplastics from various sources.
And although regulators are now evaluating the possibilities, there are currently no governmental standards restricting plastic particles in food or water in the U.S.5 This invisible invasion raises a red flag for our health.
Study Links Microplastics to Digestive, Reproductive and Respiratory Disorders
A recent review published in Environmental Science and Technology journal sheds more light on how microplastics affects various areas of human health.6 Conducted by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), the study analyzed findings from previous studies to get a broader understanding on the effects of microplastic exposure on specific areas of health.
“Research on microplastics and their health effects on humans is still in its infancy. A growing body of evidence exists, however, indicating the adverse health effects of microplastic exposure on living organisms.
The primary objectives of this rapid systematic review were to evaluate the human and animal evidence assessing microplastic exposure to any adverse human health outcome, rate the quality and strength of the human and animal evidence, integrate the human and animal evidence streams and develop a final bottom line statement regarding the health effects of microplastics,” the researchers said.7
According to the researchers, microplastic exposure harms the digestive, reproductive and respiratory system in humans, and rate the overall body of evidence as “‘high’ quality in concluding that microplastic exposure is ‘suspected’ to adversely impact sperm quality, immunosuppression, and chronic inflammation.”8
They also found evidence linking microplastics to problems in the colon and small intestine, lungs and more, stating that their conclusions “underestimate the ‘true health impacts’ of microplastic exposure.”9
“Given the ubiquity of microplastics and the consistent, growing recognition of their existence in the human body, it is likely that microplastics will impact other body systems, which is a potential area for future research,” the study authors said.10
The study’s conclusions raise significant concerns. The fact that microplastics were found in the digestive and reproductive systems of newborns is a worrying development. This suggests that microplastics can travel throughout our bodies and even get passed on to future generations.
Microplastics Wreak Havoc on Your Lungs
Your lungs are designed to filter out harmful particles from the air you breathe. Unfortunately, microplastics are small enough to slip past these defenses and irritate the delicate lining of the respiratory tract. This irritation triggers inflammation, leading to conditions like asthma and bronchitis.11
What’s even more concerning is the ability of microplastics to act as tiny Trojan horses, carrying other pollutants deeper into the lungs, causing more severe health problems. According to one study:12
“Microplastics can adsorb and accumulate various chemical pollutants from the environment, including persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and heavy metals. If microplastics release these adsorbed chemicals in the lung tissue, it could lead to additional toxicological effects.”
Studies have shown that exposure to air pollution, including microplastics, increases our susceptibility to respiratory infections.13 Inhaled microplastics act like tiny, sharp pieces of dust that irritate your lungs. Similar to the way asbestos fibers cause long-term lung damage, the potential health risks of inhaling microplastics warrant further investigation.
How Microplastics Mess with Your Digestion
Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms, collectively known as the gut microbiota. These microorganisms play a crucial role in digestion, immunity and overall health. They help break down food, produce vitamins and support your immune function, protecting you from harmful pathogens.
However, when you ingest microplastics, they ruin this delicate balance, triggering inflammation in your gut lining. This inflammation leads to a condition called leaky gut syndrome, where your gut lining becomes more permeable, allowing toxins and other harmful substances to leak into your bloodstream. This triggers a cascade of health problems throughout your body.14
Microplastics also disrupt the balance of your gut bacteria, a condition known as dysbiosis. This imbalance increases your risk of developing various digestive disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which causes abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis that cause chronic inflammation in the digestive tract.15
The presence of microplastics in the gut also interferes with how our bodies absorb nutrients from food. Additionally, the gut lining acts as a barrier, preventing harmful substances from entering the bloodstream. Microplastics compromise the integrity of this barrier, making it easier for toxins to enter the body.
Think of the gut barrier like a fence around a garden. If the fence is damaged, weeds and pests easily get in. Similarly, a damaged gut barrier allows unwanted substances to enter the bloodstream. One study notes:
“The altered microbiome compromises the gut’s critical role as a barrier and regulatory organ, setting the stage for systemic inflammation and chronic diseases that affect the entire body.”16
There is also a complex communication network between the gut and the brain, known as the gut-brain axis. Research suggests that gut inflammation and microbiota disruption caused by microplastics affect brain function and contribute to mental health issues and neurological conditions. A 2024 study reports:
“Alarmingly, microplastics cause changes in brain tissues that are reflective of chronic degenerative brain pathologies, such as chronic traumatic encephalitis, PD [Parkinson’s disease], and AD [Alzheimer’s disease].”17
Microplastics Are an Invisible yet Growing Threat to Reproduction
Microplastics also have the ability to interfere with hormone production and function, affecting reproductive health in both men and women. In fact, I believe it’s one of the biggest contributors to the declining fertility rates today. According to recent studies, microplastics accumulate in the testes, contributing to lower sperm quantity and quality and reduced testosterone levels.18
Women are affected, too. A Frontiers in Endocrinology study collated research from animal test models19 and found that microplastics accumulate in the ovaries, leading to pregnancy-related issues.
Perhaps even more alarming is the possibility of microplastics crossing the placenta and affecting fetal development. Studies have actually found microplastics in human placenta and even the meconium, the first stool passed by a newborn baby.20 Animal studies have also demonstrated disturbing effects among fetuses from microplastic exposure. The researchers reported:
“Studies observed maternal exposure to PS-MPs (0.5– 5μm) resulted in long term metabolic adverse outcomes in fetus, including dyslipidemia, changes in liver physiology and female offspring fatty liver. The evidence suggest exposure to MNPs in utero cause long term metabolic outcome in later life of exposed pups with some sex specific effects.”21
Strategies to Reduce Your Exposure to Microplastics
Mounting evidence shows microplastics pose a significant threat to human health. Even though this is a relatively new area of research, the existing findings are concerning and warrant attention. Reducing your exposure to microplastics requires a multifaceted approach, but basically, it entails minimizing plastic use in your daily life. Here are some effective strategies I recommend:
1. Opt for reusable shopping bags — Switch to reusable bags made from materials like canvas or other sustainable fabrics when you go grocery shopping. This simple change will significantly reduce the number of single-use plastic bags you bring into your home, diminishing the accumulation of plastics in the environment and lowering your personal plastic exposure.
2. Choose alternatives to plastic containers — Use glass, stainless steel or BPA-free containers for storing food and beverages. Avoid plastic wraps and opt for beeswax wraps or silicone lids instead. This not only reduces the leaching of harmful chemicals like BPA and phthalates but also minimizes the ingestion of microplastics from food packaging.
3. Avoid single-use plastics — Reduce your reliance on single-use plastics such as straws, cutlery and water bottles. Carry your own reusable utensils and invest in a durable, refillable water bottle. These will help decrease the overall production and disposal of plastic waste, addressing the root cause of microplastic pollution.
4. Limit use of plastic in your home — Minimize the use of plastic products in your household by replacing them with natural or eco-friendly alternatives. For instance, use bamboo or metal toothbrushes instead of plastic ones, choose wooden or glass dishes, and opt for natural cleaning products that come in non-plastic packaging.
5. Opt for natural fibers — Whenever possible, choose clothing and other textile products made from natural fibers like cotton, wool and linen.
6. Improve your indoor air quality — Regular cleaning, proper ventilation and using air purifiers that help reduce the concentration of microplastics and other airborne particles are some helpful strategies.
Another point I would like to emphasize is that many plastic chemicals are xenoestrogens that mimic the effects of estrogen in your body. In fact, most of the hazards associated with these chemicals stem from the stimulation of your estrogen receptors.
In cases of estrogen dominance, supplemental progesterone can be helpful. Progesterone is a natural estrogen antagonist and counteract the adverse effects of excess estrogen. It’s one of three hormones I believe many adults can benefit from. The remaining two are DHEA and pregnenolone. In the next section, I’ll go into detail how to administer progesterone properly.
