Are Plastics Inside Us?
Are Plastics Inside Us?
It is now clear that we are all part of a massive global experiment to determine if microplastics are affecting human health. There are ways though, to reduce individual exposure. Read on – 4 minute read
Allan Maynard, MSc. – November 2025
Annual plastic production increased from two million tonnes in 1950, to about 475 million tonnes is 2022, and it is projected to grow over 70% by 2040. We are overwhelmed with plastic pollution: At least 8.8 million tons – of plastic waste is entering the ocean – EACH YEAR. Moreover, that is only the tip of the iceberg when we also add in all the waste found on land and accumulating in landfills. Over time, much of this plastic pollution degrades to form microplastics.
Microplastics are now found everywhere in the environment and unfortunately lodged deep inside our bodies. I first wrote about microplastics in 2020 (see link below): Fast forward to 2025, and a multitude of research has now been conducted. This is a brief update with some ideas on measures each of us can consider for reducing daily exposure.
REMINDER – WHAT ARE MICROPLASTICS?
Click image to enlarge.
WHERE ARE MICROPLASTICS FOUND IN THE ENVIRONMENT?
Microplastics are found virtually everywhere in the environment, from the deepest ocean trenches to the highest mountains — in air, soil, water, sediments and biota. As such, they find their way as contaminants in food, beverages, and the air we breathe.
MICROPLASTICS – ARE HUMANS ARE EXPOSED?
Microplastics have been found almost everywhere in humans: in blood, bones, saliva, urine, placentas, an array of organs and even the human brain. One study estimated our brains may contain as much as 5 grams – or roughly a teaspoon. Plastic isn’t just wrapped around our food or woven into our clothes: it is lodged deep inside us.
Microplastics enter our bodies by inhalation (contaminated air) and ingestion (food, water, beverages). There is a wide range of estimates dealing with how much exposure and its greatly dependant on factors such as water source, air quality, diet and lifestyle. An article by the World Economic Forum claims we inhale an average of around 60,000 particles per day. In terms of mass, one widely cited estimate suggests a person may ingest as much as 5 grams of microplastics per week, equivalent to the weight of a credit card. However, this estimate has been disputed in other studies. The important point – microplastics are ubiquitous and are now deep inside every human on earth.
WILL THIS EXPOSURE AFFECT OUR HEALTH?
A recent article in the medical journal “The Lancet” describes microplastics as an underestimated and under-regulated health crisis. Microplastics may affect human health by causing inflammation, oxidative stress, and DNA damage at a cellular level. They can also absorb and then release chemicals and pathogens, potentially leading to a range of issues including cardiovascular problems, reproductive harm, and endocrine disruption. A very recent (2025 study) identified microplastics in the brains of human cadavers. Most notably from this study – those who had been diagnosed with dementia prior to their death had up to 10 times as much plastic in their brains compared to those without the condition.
While definitive causal links are still under investigation, research is exploring associations with diseases like cancer and metabolic disorders. It will likely take decades to establish links to human health. Sadly, we are all part of a large, decades long experiment. Minimizing exposure is our best course of action.
A single one litre plastic bottle can contain as many as 240,000 different plastic particles of varying dimensions and materials – from NIH 2025 – see below.
WHAT CAN EACH OF US DO?
Most of what MUST be done, is at the policy level, but unfortunately, political will is lacking. Single use plastic should be banned. The plastics industry must be held accountable and forced to manufacture ONLY plastic products that can be easily recycled (presently only around 10% of plastic products can be recycled). Plastic production must be reduced – sadly – global talks (August 2025) to develop a landmark treaty to deal with plastic pollution with a legally binding production cap have once again failed.
That leaves us with our own individual actions. Here are some suggestions:
- Consider a reuseable water filter if you suspect that the water source could have microplastics (it should not be needed in Metro Vancouver)
- Don’t buy processed foods that are stored in plastic containers – in fact, most health professionals recommend avoiding ultra processed food altogether
- Use only glass or steel containers for heating food with a microwave oven – heat greatly accelerates the shedding of plastic particles and the leaching of plastic chemicals
- Minimize or even stop the use of single use plastics like water bottles, straws, plastic bags
- Don’t use plastic cutting boards
- Be aware of non-stick cookware – especially Teflon coatings that could be scratched
- Clean the air in your home with a high efficiency air cleaner
- Avoid wearing synthetic clothing
- Refuse to buy washing pods (encased in plastic) for laundry or dishwashers
- Refuse to buy products that contain micro-beads (these are already microplastics)
- Try to buy beverages that come in cans or glass bottles – see figure above and the study of bottled water by the NIH
- Check out your tea bags – many are made with plastics and will release thousands of particles per cup – better to use loose tea if possible or make sure the tea bag is paper
- Rinse rice thoroughly – especially instant rice
- Reduce intake of sea food – especially filter feeders – oysters, clams and mussels that accumulate microplastics
- Clean your house frequently – mopping non carpet floors and having a good filter on your vacuum
It is especially important for younger people to minimize exposure. Exposure to toxins is usually cumulative, and the consequences often manifest over the long term. This process, often referred to as bioaccumulation or biomagnification, means that even small, repeated exposures to certain harmful substances can lead to a significant buildup in the body or the environment over time
NEXT UP – is our cookware toxic? Hint – maybe — but the fix is easy.
https://www.environmentmatters.ca/micro-plastics-the-hidden-consequence-of-plastics-use/
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20250723-how-do-the-microplastics-in-our-bodies-affect-our-health
https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/global-plastics-treaty-consensus-1.7610277
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgpddpldleo
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/article/PIIS2213-2600(25)00086-4/fulltext