Over the years you’ve probably heard the term ‘microplastics’ floating around the media and in science news. Recent research shows that microplastics, which are tiny degraded pieces of plastic no more than five millimeters in size, are infiltrating the globe and could cause cancers, obesity, hormone imbalances, infertility and more. Still, many of us are unsure of the threat these tiny particles pose to society, and this is not entirely our fault…or it is.
Microplastics are a relatively new phenomena due to them being a ramification of increased plastic use in the U.S. and across the globe. Plastics were first invented in the 1800’s, but it wasn’t until after World War II that the compound was mass produced and industrialized because plastic is cheap, resourceful and easy to manufacture. Plastic quickly started to replace glass, paper, wood and steel in everyday household items, cars, shopping bags and more. The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) noted that plastic production grew dramatically over the past 60 years with two million metric tons being produced 1950, versus 460 million metric tons in 2019. While yes they’re cheap, these plastics however are non biodegradable, mostly non-recyclable and release toxic compounds that could pose a huge threat to life as we know it.
This drastic growth in plastic production and use has contributed to the current plastic landfill crisis we’re in. Oceans are overloaded with thrown away plastic that’s being ingested by sea life and harming ecosystems. On land, plastic waste can be found virtually everywhere. Since plastic isn’t biodegradable, it just breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces that never fully goes away. This is why we’re now stuck with this microplastic mess.
Microplastic are everywhere. They’ve been found in the food we eat, water we drink, air, soil, clouds and our bodies. Microplastics are also found heavily in many commercial cosmetic brands. Over the years scientists have found that microplastics can enter the body through three ways: being inhaled, being ingested or through skin absorption. Studies have shown microplastics have been found in infant poop, breastmilk, human lungs and most recently-male sperm. With growing male infertility rates in the U.S., microplastics could very well be a root cause of this issue.
In a study done by the International Journal of Impotence Research (IJIR), results showed that the penile tissue of four out of five men with erectile dysfunction that were sampled had seven different types of microplastics in them. The health risk of microplastics in our bodies stretches way further than this however.
Due to the toxicity of degrading plastic, microplastics could be a contributing factor to the growing cancer rates in the U.S.-especially cancers in the digestive tract as they contain carcinogenic chemicals. Also microplastic are foreign to the human body which causes human cells to react differently to their presence. Microplastic researcher, Laura López González, notes in her article “I’m a Microplastics Researcher. Here’s How To Limit Their Dangers,” that microplastic can contain chemicals like BPA, phthalates and PFAS which can “mimic human hormones.”
So, with all this unsettling information, why don’t we hear more policy talk about this crisis? There are no current federal laws restricting plastic use, but there are some states such as California, New Jersey and Vermont that are working on plastic regulation legislation. What’s unsettling is the amount of corporate manufacturers that carelessly incorporate microplastics into their products-many of them billion dollar companies. If you care about this microplastic crisis-which everyone should-then it’s our job to do the research, invest in research initiatives, uphold voices of trusted researchers and push local, state and federal policies that help mitigate this ordeal before it’s too late.
It’s also important to take certain steps in the home to avoid microplastic consumption. For instance, scientists recommend avoiding heating any plastic through microwavable or oven-bake meals-this includes warming plastic baby bottles! Overall limiting your plastic use to the best of your ability could help your health in the long run as well.
There is still so much research that needs to be done on the effects of microplastics, so please keep your eyes open to this issue. Don’t let giant corporations like Lush Cosmetics quite literally play in your face as they get rich off you buying their products which 99% of them were reported to contain microplastics. Stay aware, and try your best to stay healthy!
