microplastics – Lacto Bacto

Bottled Water A Major Source of Microplastics and Nanoparticles

SimaOctober 10, 2025October 12, 2025Leave a comment

Credit: Wikipedia

Many studies are finding the existence of microplastics everywhere in the environment and in our bodies. Microplastics occur when plastic items degrade over time. A recent study confirmed that drinking from plastic water bottles is a major source of the microplastics and nanoparticles that we ingest.

Microplastics are 1 µm to 5 mm in size and nanoplastics are even smaller (less than 1 µm). They are usually invisible to the naked eye.

Study researchers did a review of over 141 studies and concluded that the average person ingests 39,000 to 52,000 microplastics each year, and those who drink bottled water ingest about 90,000 more particles than persons only drinking tap water.

Research on long-term health impacts (if any) of ingesting and breathing in microplastics and nanoparticles is just starting, but what has been done is concerning - at a minimum they are causing inflammation in our bodies. Other research suggests numerous health effects (e.g., respiratory issues, reproductive problems, disruption of the immune system).

Bottom line: buy, drink, and store as beverages in glass bottles, and drink tap water. Avoid single-use plastic water bottles.

From Phy.org: Chronic risks from single-use plastic water bottles are dangerously understudied, says study

The sun-drenched paradise of Thailand's Phi Phi islands isn't the usual starting point for a Ph.D. But for Sarah Sajedi, those soft, sandy beaches—or rather, what she found under them—inspired her pivot from a business career to an academic one. ...continue reading "Bottled Water A Major Source of Microplastics and Nanoparticles"

Microplastics Are Even In Our Bones

SimaOctober 1, 2025October 2, 2025Leave a comment

Microplastics in toothpaste Credit: Wikipedia

Microplastics (teeny tiny plastic particles) have been detected all around us in the environment, our food, even our organs (e.g., lungs, blood, brain, placentas). Wherever we look, they are found in our bodies, with a recent study finding them in our bones.

The big question is: are these microplastics having a harmful effect on us? The researchers, who reviewed 62 studies, found that yes, microplastics could be harming bone health a number of different ways. They may be weakening our bones, impairing the function of bone marrow stem cells, accelerate cell aging, and could be worsening metabolic bone diseases like osteoporosis.

Microplastics occur as plastic items degrade over time. We breathe microplastics in, eat them (in our food), and drink them in (in water and other liquids). We can't avoid them totally, but we can cut down the amount we are exposed to and ingest - for example, not drinking bottled water (a big source of microplastics), and reducing the amount of plastic furniture, synthetic fabric (e.g., polyester), and synthetic rugs and flooring (e.g., vinyl) in our homes. Also, avoid playing on synthetic turf in playing fields and parks.

From Science Daily: Scientists discover microplastics deep inside human bones

The production and use of over 400 million tons of plastic each year has polluted beaches, rivers, and even the deepest parts of the ocean, reaching depths of up to 11,000 meters. In addition to visible environmental impacts, plastic contributes to climate change. It is estimated that plastic production generates 1.8 billion tons of greenhouse gases per year. Scientific evidence also suggests that using plastic materials in everyday life has impacted human health.

A large number of plastic particles detach from curtains, furniture, clothing, and other plastic objects. These particles remain suspended in the air, dissolve in drinking water, adhere to food, and can be inhaled, ingested, or come into contact with people's skin. Consequently, scientists have found microplastics in blood, the brain, the placenta, breast milk, and human bones.

...continue reading "Microplastics Are Even In Our Bones"

Chewing Gum Is A Source of Microplastics

SimaMarch 28, 2025March 28, 2025Leave a comment

Microplastics and our exposure to them is a growing concern these days. Not only do microplastics pollute our environment, including food, but they are also found in all of us. Thus there is interest in how to lower our exposure to them.

A recent small study found that chewing gum can be a source of microplastics. Researchers found that chewing gum releases hundreds to thousands of microplastics per piece (depending on the brand) into our saliva in the mouth - which we then swallow. The first two minutes of chewing on a fresh piece of gum is when the most microplastics are released into the mouth.

How could that be? Chewing gums are made from a rubbery base, sweetener, flavorings, and other ingredients. Natural gum products use a plant-based polymer, such as chicle or other tree sap, to achieve the right chewiness. But most gums sold in stores is synthetic gum, which contain petroleum-based polymers (plastic!) to get that chewy effect. In other words, with these gums a person is chewing on plastic!

Gum ingredient lists do not mention that plastics are in them, and may only say "gum based".

In the study, 5 brands of natural gums and 5 brands of synthetic gums were tested. Surprisingly, both natural and synthetic gums released microplastics (up to 3,000 plastic particles per synthetic gum piece). While the results are concerning, note that bottled water releases many more tiny particles of plastic - one study found an average of 240,000 plastic pieces in a liter of bottled water.

From Medical Xpress: Chewing gum releases microplastics into mouth: researchers

Gum gets some of its chewiness from polymers similar to those used in car tires. Chewing gum releases hundreds of tiny plastic pieces straight into people's mouths, researchers said on Tuesday, also warning of the pollution created by the rubber-based sweet. ...continue reading "Chewing Gum Is A Source of Microplastics"

Microplastics Found In Human and Dog Testicles

SimaMay 30, 2024May 30, 2024Leave a comment

Scientists have been finding microplastics (tiny plastic particles) in our bodies - in our lungs, our blood, even our stools. The latest is a study finding microplastics in both human and dog testicles (in the testicular tissue). The small microplastics get into our bodies through inhalation and by ingestion (in the food and water), and from there they travel to different organs of the body.

They found 12 types of microplastics in all 23 human and 47 dog testicles that were studied. [NOTE: testicles = testes] In all of them! Human testicular tissue had 3 times the amount found in dogs.

They also found that higher numbers of PVC microplastics in the dog testicular tissue was correlated with a lower sperm count. (They were unable to test for this in the human samples.)

These concerning results may be part of the reason human sperm count is dropping rapidly worldwide over the past few decades. (These are thought to be contributors to the decline: pesticides, endocrine disruptors, heavy metals, plastics.) Microplastics, occur as a result of plastics breaking down, and are now found everywhere that researchers look.

From Science Daily: Researchers find microplastics in canine and human testicular tissue

University of New Mexico researchers have detected significant concentrations of microplastics in the testicular tissue of both humans and dogs, adding to growing concern about their possible effect on human reproductive health. ...continue reading "Microplastics Found In Human and Dog Testicles"

New Method Finds Microplastics In All Placentas

SimaFebruary 22, 2024February 23, 2024Leave a comment

The bad news about microplastics in the environment and in all of us keeps coming. A recent study found microplastics in all human placentas, with the numbers of microplastics increasing over recent years. This is very concerning because at this point it is unknown what effects the microplastics are having on pregnancies and developing babies.

Microplastics are the teeny, tiny plastic particles (less than 5mm or .20 inches in length) that are a result of plastics breaking up over time.

A recently published study reported how researchers came up with a new method of measuring the number and amount of microplastics found in the placenta. Rather than just examining the placenta under a microscope and counting particles (other studies), they developed a new method (involving pyrolysis-gas chromatography and mass spectrometry) that reveals a more accurate number.

In the study, all 62 placentas tested contained microplastics in varying amounts - from 6.5 to 790 micrograms per gram of tissue. The main types of microplastics found were polyethylene (plastic bags and bottles) in nearly all samples, followed by polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and nylon.

Unfortunately, we know that all of us will have increasing amounts of microplastics in our bodies over time because plastic use is increasing throughout the world. We are ingesting them in our foods and beverages (especially bottled water), absorbing them through our skin, and breathing them in.

What you can do: Try to minimize your use of plastics, especially plastic water bottles. Choose alternatives whenever possible. For example, glass and stainless steel are OK and do not shed microplastics. Think glass bottles and bowls for foods and beverages, not plastic bottles and containers.

From Science Daily: Microplastics found in every human placenta tested

A flurry of recent studies has found that microplastics are present in virtually everything we consume, from bottled water to meat and plant-based food. Now, University of New Mexico Health Sciences researchers have used a new analytical tool to measure the microplastics present in human placentas. ...continue reading "New Method Finds Microplastics In All Placentas"

Microplastics Found In Placentas

SimaNovember 30, 2023November 30, 2023Leave a comment

Interesting, yet disturbing, research found microplastics in human placentas and also that the microplastic contamination of placentas has been rising steadily since 2006. During this time global plastic production has also increased.

Microplastics are the teeny, tiny plastic particles (less than 5mm or .20 inches in length) that are a result of plastics breaking up over time. The big question now is: Are microplastics also getting into the fetus?

University of Hawaii researchers examined 10 healthy human placentas in each of these years: 2006, 2013, and 2021. Microplastics were found in six of the 10 (60%) in 2006, 9 out of the 10 (90%) in 2013, and in all placentas (100%) in 2021. Only a sample (50 grams) was taken from each placenta, but it was clear that the number of microplastics found also increased over time: 22 particles from 2006, 38 particles in 2013, and 82 particles in 2021.

Another concern is that microplastic particles leach chemicals, and also that some of the particles found in the placentas had endocrine disrupting properties. It is unknown at this time what the effects are from microplastic accumulation in our bodies. Perhaps they have no effect, but absolutely no one thinks they are beneficial. So far other research has found microplastics in the human gut, lungs, bloodstream, and reproductive organs (male testes, female breasts).

Microplastics are of concern to all of us because we are ingesting them in our foods and beverages (especially bottled water), absorbing them through our skin, and breathing them in. Think of all the plastic products we use (e.g., toothpaste, bottled water, computers, cell phones, plastic bags) and wear (synthetic fabrics) daily.

From Science Daily: Rise of microplastics discovered in placentas of Hawaii mothers

A placenta (commonly known as the "afterbirth" or "ʻiewe" in Hawaiian) is a temporary organ which connects the mother to the fetus via the umbilical cord. Its purpose is to deliver nutrients and oxygen to the fetus while serving as a barrier to prevent infections or viruses from entering the developing fetus. ...continue reading "Microplastics Found In Placentas"

Microplastics Are Even In Ocean Waves and Air

SimaAugust 25, 2023August 25, 2023Leave a comment

Microplastics in marine environment Credit: Wikipedia

We can not get away from microplastics - the teeny, tiny plastic particles that are a result of plastics breaking up over time. They are everywhere, including the air over polar regions and in the air spewed out in the sea spray from waves.

Researchers sampled and analyzed air off the Norwegian coast up to the Arctic region. They found that all air samples contained microplastics. The plastic particles they found included polyester particles (from textiles), polystyrene, polypropylene, polyurethane, and tire wear particles (from driving and braking). Sources of the plastic particles came from both land (e.g., textiles, tire particles) and sea (e.g., boat paint).

Microplastics are plastic particles less than 5 mm (0.20 in) in length. Rain, water (e.g., seas, rivers), wind and air transport the plastic particles throughout the world. This microplastic pollution is of concern to all of us because we are breathing them in, and they are in the products we use (e.g., toothpaste), foods we eat, and the beverages we drink, including bottled water.

The big questions: What are the microplastic particles doing to us and wildlife? Are they getting into our organs? Are they causing chronic inflammation or other problems? Hint: Yes and yes, according to research. Even our lungs and blood.

From Science Daily: Oceans release microplastics into the atmosphere

Tiny plastic particles can be found in the sea air even far from coasts, according to a study recently published in the journal Nature Communications. The microplastics come from partly unexpected sources. ...continue reading "Microplastics Are Even In Ocean Waves and Air"

Microplastics Found Deep In the Lungs of People

SimaApril 8, 2022April 8, 2022Leave a comment

More news about microplastics (tiny plastic particles) and where they are showing up in humans. Yesterday's post was about microplastics showing up in human blood, and today's post is about a study finding microplastics deep in the lungs of living people.

Yes, not only do we ingest microplastics in our food and water (especially from water bottles), but we also inhale microplastics in the air. This is worrisome because microplastics accumulate in the body, and at this point long term effects are unknown.

Our bodies are not filtering and getting rid of many of the plastic microparticles that we ingest or breathe in (yes, some also get excreted in our feces). No one thinks this is good, and some early study results are showing harm. Some concerns include inflammation, increased risk of cancer, alterations of the microbiome, endocrine disrupting effects from the chemicals in the microplastics.

The 13 people in the study were undergoing surgery (that's a good time to take samples of lung tissue) in the UK. Samples from 11 people found microplastics, with the most common being polypropylene (in plastic packaging and pipes) and PET (in bottles). The images of microparticles in the lung tissue samples are actually horrifying because it is clear they do not belong there!

By the way, some earlier studies also found microplastics in human lungs. Microplastics are a result of plastic breaking down or shedding tiny particles.

Excerpts from The Guardian: Microplastics found deep in lungs of living people for first time

Microplastic pollution has been discovered lodged deep in the lungs of living people for the first time. The particles were found in almost all the samples analysed. ...continue reading "Microplastics Found Deep In the Lungs of People"

Microplastics Are Found In Human Blood

SimaApril 7, 2022April 8, 2022Leave a comment

Tiny particles of plastic, called microplastics, have now been detected in human blood. Yikes! We all know that plastic pollution is a serious problem in the environment, but recent research has been finding it in our food, in the air, in water, in rain, our organs (including our lungs and brain), human placentas, and now in our blood.

The most widely found microplastic particles in the blood were polyethylene terephthalate (PET) (commonly used in disposable water bottles), and polystyrene (PS), which is used for food packaging and polystyrene foam.

The big question is: What are microplastics doing to us, if anything?

The first studies are finding that microplastics are causing inflammation and damage to cells (not good), and are building up in us, but we don't really know much at all. Will it increase the risk of cancer? Scientists are also concerned over the chemicals in the microplastics. For example, if there are endocrine disrupting chemicals in the microplastics, then what effect (if any) are they having on us?

But... plastic production is increasing every year, so we can expect to be exposed to more plastic over time, which means more will get into us and the environment. And the particles will build up.

You may wonder why there are so many little plastic particles out there - it's because plastic breaks apart over time. Even when we do laundry - there are little plastic particles released into the drain water from synthetic fabrics. When we drink from plastic water bottles, little plastic particles released from the bottles are ingested by us. And yes, water bottles are a big source of microplastics ingested by us - up to an additional 90,000 microplastics per year!

Bottom line: try to cut back on your use of plastic, which means buying less of plastic goods - for example, in beverage containers (opt for glass bottles instead), in furniture and toys, in our homes (wood or tile instead of vinyl as much as possible). Avoid drinking from plastic water bottles.

From Smithsonian: Microplastics Detected in Human Blood in New Study

Microplastics, or tiny plastic particles, are ubiquitous pollutants found almost everywhere on earth. Scientists have detected microplastics near the peak of Mount Everest, in the Mariana Trench and even in baby poop. But researchers have now found a new vessel for microplastics: human blood. ...continue reading "Microplastics Are Found In Human Blood"

Microplastics Are Entering Our Bodies

SimaOctober 7, 2021October 8, 2021Leave a comment

Something to ponder: Are tiny plastic particles (microplastics) that enter the human body traveling to the brain and causing harm? An article by the science writer Erica Cirino examines that question by looking at existing research and comes to the disturbing conclusion of: Yes, they are.

Yes, that plastic particles are inhaled or ingested (in food, water, and air), that many are excreted, but some travel to organs in the body, are absorbed in the bloodstream, and some eventually cross into the brain. Research in fish shows that this ultimately results in abnormal (dysfunctional) behavior. [Note: she is the author of the book Thicker Than Water, which addresses the plastics pollution problem.]

One problem is that plastic particles contain all the chemicals in the original plastic, which includes endocrine (hormone) disruptors. Another is that the plastic particles accumulate once they are in the organs. Yes, studies find plastic particles in humans (e.g., the placenta, the lungs, and other tissues) and also that many microparticles are excreted in feces. But much is still unknown.

A study by Canadian researchers estimated that the consumption of microplastics by Americans ranges from 39,000 to 52,000 particles (depending on age and sex) each year. When they added in inhalation of microplastic particles, the numbers increased to 74,000 to 121,000. And those who only drink bottled water may be getting an additional 90,000 microplastics (versus about 4000 microplastics from tap water). Yikes!

Since more and more plastics are entering the environment each year, then this does not bode well for humans. We need to deal with plastic pollution!

Excerpts from an article by Erica Cirino in The Scientist: Opinion: Plastic Pollution May Endanger Brains

In 1950, 2 million metric tons of plastic were produced globally; in 2015, petro-chemical companies churned out 381 million metric tons. Most plastic waste—more than 6.3 billion metric tons of it has been generated by humans over the last 80 years—is never recycled. And to scientists’ best knowledge, petroleum-based plastic will never biodegrade. Instead, it breaks up into ever-smaller particles that always remain plastic. ...continue reading "Microplastics Are Entering Our Bodies"