Microplastics May be Leading to Underlying Health Issues
As a society, we often preach about leading a “healthy” lifestyle, but what does that really entail? Being healthy is complex and involves many different factors to consider. However, there seems to be a lack of awareness around microplastics - beyond just replacing a plastic water bottle with a reusable one.
What are Microplastics?
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that result from the breakdown of industrial waste and product development. They are further classified into two different categories, as explained below:
Primary microplastics - tiny particles of plastic designed for commercial use (ex. cosmetics, synthetic textiles, nylon, fishing nets)
Secondary microplastics - particles that result from the breakdown of larger plastic items, caused by environmental exposure, such as the sun or ocean (ex. water bottles, containers, packaging materials)
While “micro”, this form of plastic pollution is leading to detrimental consequences for not only the environment and wildlife but also for people. These plastics take hundreds or even thousands of years to decompose, leading to an increased accumulation that becomes ever more dangerous. For the environment, microplastics contaminate soil and waterways, disrupting ecosystems and the health of wildlife.
Marine life suffers in particular, as these particles are ingested by various organisms, leading to physical harm, chemical exposure, and bioaccumulation in the food chain. This extends to people as well, who consume seafood and other products contaminated with microplastics, posing potential health risks including inflammation, toxic exposure, and long-term health effects that are still being researched. The fact that microplastics stay in the environment for so long underscores the importance of better waste management and pollution control measures to reduce their impact.
Focusing on Human Exposure
Humans can be exposed to microplastics in various ways, including through bioaccumulation, direct ingestion, contact, and inhalation. Previous studies have primarily focused on primary microplastics due to their uniform size and shape, while secondary microplastics exhibit significant variability, posing challenges for researchers in assessing their impact.
During the synthesis of plastic polymers, various chemicals are used that act as endocrine disruptors. These disruptors, also released by microplastics, function as hormonally active agents, potentially leading to reproductive cancers and disorders of the reproductive system. Additionally, microplastics often carry toxic pollutants that can negatively interact with organic organisms.
Effects on Bodily Functions
Cellular and animal experiments have demonstrated that microplastics can affect multiple systems in the human body, including the digestive, respiratory, endocrine, reproductive, and immune systems — crucial for overall bodily function.
When ingested, microplastics can physically irritate the gastrointestinal tract and cause chemical absorption, leading to inflammation that disrupts the gut microbiome. This imbalance between beneficial and harmful bacteria can result in abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and bloating.
Inhalation of microplastics can induce oxidative stress — an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body — leading to symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, fatigue, and dizziness. Research by Wright SL highlighted that nano-sized plastics were associated with mitochondrial damage in human respiratory cells, underscoring the significant harm these tiny particles can cause to the body.
To tackle the problem of microplastics, there needs to be more research and better waste management. Supporting policies to reduce plastic pollution and cutting down on single-use plastics are crucial steps in this process as ongoing studies will help us find effective ways to reduce human exposure and environmental impact. By staying informed and making smart choices, we can help reduce the presence of microplastics and their harmful effects on our health.
Sources:
https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/microplastics/
https://europlas.com.vn/en-US/blog-1/all-types-of-microplastics-you-should-know
https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/discover/are-microplastics-a-big-problem
Article Written By: Alissa Zhu
