The Impact of Microplastics on Human Health: Understanding the Risks and Taking Action

Introduction

Microplastics (MPs) are small, less than 5 millimetres plastic particles that have moved into the daily language of environmental and health discourses on a global scale. Although more emphasis has been given to the environmental harm which plastic pollution may cause, some recent studies have explored how microplastics may impact human health.

Microplastics are being found in the water we drink, even in some of our food – wherever we find them, one thing is for certain: they are quickly infiltrating us and while researchers have begun to explore health risks associated with these tiny pieces of plastic polluting what should be unsoiled soil, there remain many questions about our health -and how much can be done at this point to lessen their threat-.

What Are Microplastics?

These particles have been identified as having the potential to invade natural systems, creating higher concern about microplastics than pirate plastics — larger plastic fragments. These particles do not degrade, however, fragmenting into smaller and smaller pieces until they reach oceans, rivers or the soil. They can alternatively be divided into two types:

1. Primary microplastics: These are plastic particles that are deliberately manufactured to be small and are usually found in personal care products, like exfoliating scrubs, or in industrial uses.

2. These microplastics could either be primary or secondary in origin, the first is due to ingress of microplastic particles from products containing them and the latter resulting from the breakdown of larger plastic items like plastic bottles, bags, fishing nets etc., by physical forces such as wave action and light influence.

Although the impact of microplastics on marine life has been widely reported, much less is known about whether their presence in human environments – and consequently human health – is an issue.

How Microplastics Enter the Human Body?

The human body is affected by microplastics in several ways including:

Discoveries: Microplastics have been detected in various food categories as: seafood natural sea salt sugar honey drinking water fruits and vegetables In fact, fish and shellfish are exceptional vectors of microplastics in general which end up roaming marine situations due to their extension. We know that microplastics enter the human body via polluted food and water sources, and that bottled water is a much better source of microplastics than tap water.

So, it is also possible to breathe in microplastics. The particles come from clothing made of synthetic fibers, household dust and airborne plastics, but can also be ingested. When inhaled, these particles can irritate the lungs or cause other respiratory problems.

If the particles are small enough (smaller than 1 micrometre, ultrasonication can achieve this) and it is a personal care product such as exfoliants, toothpaste or soap/nanoparticles the skin in fact can have no barrier capabilities against microplastics that adhere to the dermal layer.

The Health Dangers Of Microplastics

While we know less about the health impacts of microplastics, here are some potential hazards that have turned up in studies thus far:

1. Physical harm: Since microplastic is physically present in the human body, it can cause inflammation especially to the gastrointestinal tract and respiratory system. Scientists suspect similar damage may occur over time in humans, based on studies of animals fed microplastics.

2. Chemical Exposure: Plastics are made with different chemicals such as bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) which can be endocrine disruptors. These substances can be released or leach from microplastics after ingestion and thus exert endocrine (hormone-like) disrupting effects, and promote the development of chronic diseases, such as cancer and reproductive disorders.

3. Toxicity: Microplastics can also adsorb environmental toxins like heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) on their surfaces. These toxins can be absorbed by the human body and may result in a variety of health problems such as neurotoxicity, immune system impairment, and liver injury.

4. Effects on the immune system: Initial researches have shown that microplastics can stimulate inflammatory responses, which is implicated in affecting the immune system. That constant exposure might end up impairing the body’s ability to fight off diseases, catching infections or leading to chronic conditions which can cause serious health issues down the line.

Current research and knowledge gaps

While the fact that little bits of microplastic are showing up everywhere scientists look seems to have caught public attention, huge questions about what they’re actually doing in our bodies remain unanswered. We know very little about the long-term health effects of microplastic exposure and what is even clearer is that we need to continue research into how different types and sizes of microplastics affect our organs and systems. Further, the prospective cumulative effects of chronic microplastic exposure over time remain unknown in large part.

What Can You Do?

Because microplastics continue to be increasingly present in human environments, precautions must be taken to bring down exposure levels and address the counterparts of microplastic pollution.

1. Avoid Plastic: The best way to reduce microplastics is simply by decreasing your use of plastics in general. Choosing reusable containers, bags and utensils over single-use items are a major way to combat the volume of plastic waste recovered from the natural habitat.

2. Support Plastic Free Products — Many of our personal care products, cleaning supplies, etc contain microplastics. This will help prevent people from being exposed to plastic particles so often portrayed as the new asbestos.WARNING! Moreover, supporting the companies that pack their products and packaging with biodegradable or natural alternatives for plastic.

3. Appropriate Waste Disposal and Recycling: making sure plastic waste is appropriately disposed of, and recycled can prevent more plastic from ending up in the natural environment where it will fragment into microplastics. Local recycling programs are a great way of helping the cause, as well as direct action in promoting improved plastic waste management.

4. Water filter: Water filters that are able to intercept microplastic particles can help decrease the number of microplastics consumed through drinking water. It could be, as reverse osmosis and some activated charcoal-based systems may have been shown to eliminate 1/2 of the micro-plastic that is present in both tap water and in bottled water.

5. Advocacy and Policy Changes: More governments and environmental organisations are turning to legislation as a way to combat plastic pollution. To lower the potential health effects of microplastics, they recommend supporting policies that prohibit or limit the use of these particles in products, implement stricter waste management guidelines and foster the development of biodegradable materials.

Conclusion

Human exposure to microplastics and their health effects are still poorly understood. Even though more research is needed into the overall risk of damage from microplastics, there are already findings indicating that micro- and nanoplastics may affect human health via ingesting, breathing in, or skin-touch. Simple efforts like decreasing plastic intake, backing sustainable products, and enhancing regulations for the environment can assist in handling the hazards linked to microplastic exposure. As we continue to learn more, mitigating the risks microplastics present might be an integral part in protecting not only our health, but that of the planet.