What do we know about microplastics?

It’s estimated that we inhale or ingest up to 2000-7000 microplastic particles a day* – that’s up to 2.5m each year. Concentrations of microplastics might be up to 60x higher indoors than outdoors where they can enter the body by inhalation and ingestion. Researchers at Portsmouth University found that children’s bedrooms had the highest concentration of microplastics due to the higher amount of plastic items and synthetic fibres used in flooring and bedding.

Microplastics range in size from 1 micrometer to 5 millimeters of different shapes depending on where they originate from. They’ve been detected in tissue samples of major organs of the body including the brain, heart, liver, and kidneys, and breast milk and blood.  

Health conditions associated with exposure to microplastics

We don’t fully understand the health risks of micro and nano plastics yet, but it’s possible they might have a toxic effect based on findings in animal studies. For example, inhalation of microplastics by rats in a lab-based study found alterations in endocrine and cardiovascular activity, and inflammatory effects. Mice exposed to microplastics were more at risk of cognitive and behavioural changes associated with depression and dementia.  

It doesn’t bode well for human health. Microplastics in the microbiome are thought to disrupt the bacterial imbalance and reduce diversity of “good” bacteria, triggering inflammation, and altering metabolic activity. These changes have been linked to higher risk of gastrointestinal disease, mental health issues, and immune function. 

Microplastics making their way into the microbiome might also be a factor in disrupting the gut-brain axis which could help explain rises of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. 

How to reduce your exposure to microplastics 

Microplastics are so widespread in our daily lives it’s hard to avoid them entirely, but there are some easy changes you can make to reduce your overall exposure. 

Drinking water is a good place to start. A one litre plastic bottle of water may contain up to a quarter of a million tiny microplastic particles known as nanoparticles. Drinking tap water from water bottles made from steel or toughened glass will reduce your exposure.  

Plastic water bottles might be convenient but avoid leaving them in warm places, or exposed to direct sunshine – it speeds up the release of microplastic into water. UK tap water has far fewer microplastics than bottled water, but it’s worth filtering it before drinking or cooking using a gravity fed system filtering system. 

In the kitchen  

• Plastic breaks down more rapidly when heated, so avoid heating food in plastic containers in the microwave. Remove convenience foods from packaging before heating in a glass container. 
• Utensils – avoid plastic utensils, especially when using them to stir hot food. Use wood or metal instead. 
• Chopping boards, especially older ones, can contaminate food with loosened microplastic particles so use wooden boards instead. 
• Boil water in steel kettles not plastic, and use steel or glass coffee making equipment. 

Around the home 

We inhale microplastic particles indoors when plastic goods release tiny fragments into ambient air, but there are lots of small adjustments you can make to improve your indoor air quality. 

• The heat from electrical devices such as TVs and computers is a magnet for microplastic dust, so wipe surfaces down regularly to remove dust residue. 
• Improve the quality of your indoor air by installing a HEPA filter to remove smaller particles of dust.  
• Household items such as carpets, soft furnishing, and bedding made from synthetic fibres will also release microplastic particles, so swap them for natural fibres where possible. 
• Reduce the number of clothes you wear made from synthetic fibres and choose natural fibres when possible. Microplastic particles are shed during wear and released from clothing and fabrics during the washing process. 
• Check toiletry and cosmetic ingredients using the YUKA app to avoid toiletry products using plasticisers.  
• Some menstrual products have been found to contain microplastics and other potentially harmful chemicals. 

Outdoors 

• Car tyres release thousands of microplastic particles into the air – avoid busy roads at peak times or wear a face mask. 

Check your exposure to chemicals used in plastics with the NEW Everyday Chemicals Test.

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More reading 

* Microplastics in our homes – University of Portsmouth study 

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