Dr. Vivek Baliga
Cardiologist and Consultant Physician
Dr. Vivek Baliga B. is a consultant physician and cardiologist, and director of Baliga Diagnostics in Bengaluru. He is a keen advocate of patient education and loves to blog about all things health-related. Learn more about him at drvivekbaliga.com.
In recent times, there has been much discussion about something called ‘microplastics’ and how they harm our health. Microplastics are small plastic particles less than 5 mm in size, originating from various sources. These sources include the breakdown of larger plastic material, microbeads in personal care products, synthetic fibres from clothing and industrial processes. Nanoplastics is a more recent term that describes smaller particles considered to be even more toxic.
What are microplastics made of?
Plastic production around the world has gone from 1.5 million tonnes to about 359.0 million tonnes in the last 70 years. Microplastics contain numerous compounds called polymers. The most often produced polymers are polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane (PUR) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). These compounds are present in most of the plastic items we use on a daily basis. Our exposure to microplastics occurs daily through water bottles and boxes used to cook and store food items.
Incidentally, microplastics have been detected in human blood, stools and even saliva.
Sources of microplastics
Microplastics can be categorised into primary microplastics (deliberately manufactured to be small, such as in cosmetics) and secondary microplastics (resulting from the fragmentation of larger plastic items). Land based sources including cosmetics, personal care products, detergents, insecticides and even masks that were used during COVID are primary sources. Plastic bags, bottles, packaging material, construction material, certain clothes and plastic containers are secondary sources. Ocean based sources that are entering fish include fishing equipment and discarded plastics. Believe it or not, your daily soap and toothpaste has microplastics in it. It is everywhere!
Harmful effects of microplastics on health
Ingested microplastics can accumulate in the digestive tract, potentially leading to physical blockages, inflammation and alterations in gut microbiota. A study of 257 patients' carotid artery plaques in 2024 found that people whose plaques had microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) in them were more likely to have heart trouble. Another study shows that microplastics and MNPs stuck in the fatty plaque that lines arteries could raise the risk of having a stroke, heart attack or death almost five times.
Plastics often contain additives such as phthalates, bisphenols and flame retardants, which can leach out and cause harmful health effects. These chemicals are known to be endocrine disruptors and can affect hormone function. Microplastics can adsorb harmful environmental pollutants like heavy metals, pesticides and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) from their surroundings. When ingested, these pollutants can desorb and enter the body, contributing to toxicity.
Microplastics can induce oxidative stress in cells, leading to inflammation and cellular damage. This can contribute to a range of chronic diseases, including heart diseases and cancer. Exposure to microplastics can trigger immune responses, which might result in inflammation or damage to the immune system. Airborne microplastics can be inhaled and accumulate in the respiratory tract, potentially causing respiratory irritation, inflammation and related conditions such as asthma or other lung diseases.
Probably, the most worrying part is the impact it has on the food chain. Microplastics can be ingested by smaller organisms and then move up the food chain, leading to higher concentrations in larger predators, including humans. This ‘biomagnification’ can worsen the exposure and effects of both microplastics and the associated toxic substances.
Ways to lower exposure
Naturally, we worry about our kids. The good news is there are simple ways to lower exposure.
Avoid single-use plastics like water bottles.
Use reusable bags, bottles and containers instead of disposable ones.
Choose clothing and textiles made from natural fibres like cotton, wool or hemp rather than synthetic materials like polyester and nylon.
Use a water filter that can reduce microplastics, such as reverse osmosis filters or those specifically designed to trap small particles.
Choose fresh, unpackaged food when possible.
Use glass, stainless steel or other non-plastic containers for food storage.
Check labels for polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP), common ingredients in products with microbeads, and choose alternatives without these ingredients.
Follow local recycling guidelines to ensure plastics are recycled properly.
Properly dispose of waste to prevent plastic debris from breaking down into microplastics.
Making small changes to the way we live can make a big difference. Reducing microplastic exposure is becoming the need of the hour. Please stay aware of what you eat and wear, and how you store food and water. It helps in the long run.