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Toxic Chemicals

Microplastics

What are microplastics?

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that are now found everywhere, including in remote environments across the globe, food, drinking water, air, and inside of our bodies. They are commonly defined as any plastic particles less than five millimeters in size, and include even smaller nanoplastics that are less than one micrometer in size. Microplastics are widespread environmental contaminants that have serious implications for human and environmental health.1, 2

Microplastics are a growing concern because they are persistent pollutants that primarily come from the breakdown of larger plastic products and synthetic materials, as well as from plastic pollution and other industrial processes.3 They can be released into the environment at all stages of the plastics lifecycle, including production, use, and disposal.4, 5

These particles can be made from many types of plastics, such as polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).6, 7 A major category of microplastics is microfibers, which are released from synthetic textiles and fabrics during production, use, washing, and disposal.6

Microplastics are persistent and bioaccumulative.7 Physical properties such as size, shape, and density are determinants of where they end up in the environment, how we’re exposed, where they show up in our bodies, and their health effects.8 Their toxicity is also determined by their chemical makeup, which includes chemicals used to make plastics, including monomers from principal polymers (e.g., styrene from polystyrene and vinyl chloride from PVC) as well as additives such as plasticizers (e.g., phenol and phthalate classes), flame retardants, and other chemicals used in synthetic materials.5, 7

Microplastics can also change over time in the environment.7 They may absorb, carry, or exchange hazardous pollutants from their surroundings, including PFAS, heavy metals, dioxin-like PCBs, PAHs, and pesticides.6, 9

How am I exposed to microplastics?

People are consistently exposed to microplastics through food, water, air, dust, and consumer products.10 Because microplastics are so widespread, virtually everyone is exposed. Research suggests that some particles can be ingested, absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract, and contaminate the body via the circulatory system.11 There is also evidence that some vulnerable groups like children are exposed at high rates.12

What we eat and drink: One primary route of exposure is ingestion. Research suggests microplastics are widespread contaminants of food, water, and beverages.12 Drinking water exclusively from plastic bottles may result in increased microplastic ingestion compared to exclusively drinking tap water.12

The air we breathe: Another route is inhalation. Plastic-containing synthetic textiles, materials, or other products, as well as industrial or occupational processes, introduce microplastics into dust and both indoor and outdoor air.13, 14 Some estimates suggest approximately 50% of total daily microplastics exposure occurs through inhalation.11

The products in our homes: Some products are intentionally made with microplastics, such as personal care products, cosmetics, and cleaning products. Their use can contribute to both human exposure and environmental contamination.15, 16 Other plastic-containing products may release microplastics through regular use or product degradation, such as from plastic cutting boards.17, 18

Why should I be concerned?

Microplastics are a concern because they can affect human health through their physical properties and the chemicals they contain or carry. Research has linked microplastic exposure to a concerning range of potential health harms, including cancer.19, 20 Studies also suggest microplastics harm human reproductive, digestive, and respiratory health.21 

Microplastics may also contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals, including chemicals used in plastic polymers and additives, which are associated with many toxic effects.22 

Microplastics are also a concern for the environment and wildlife. They are known to be persistent and bioaccumulative environmental contaminants that can disrupt natural environmental processes and harm terrestrial and marine wildlife, including fish species that people consume. 3

Major sources of microplastics pollution

  • Tires 
  • Plastic packaging including bottles, food packaging, wrappers, and other single-use plastics
  • Synthetic textiles and apparel
  • Personal care, cosmetic, and cleaning products
  • Paints, coatings, and construction materials

How can I reduce my exposure?

Because microplastics are widespread and come from systemic plastic pollution, individual choices alone cannot solve the problem. The most effective strategies are to reduce unnecessary plastic production, redesign products and systems to prevent microplastic pollution, and replace toxic plastics and chemicals with safer solutions.

There are also steps people can take to help reduce exposure and contamination:

  • Choose less plastic when possible, especially for food and drinks. Reduce use of plastic food packaging, plastic bottles, plastic cutting boards, plastic utensils, and other plastic kitchenware.
  • Reduce exposure from dust and indoor air. Consider using high-efficiency air filtration and regular wet dusting or mopping to reduce household dust that may contain microplastics.
  • Filter drinking water when feasible. Some filters may help reduce microplastics and other contaminants.
  • Avoid products with intentionally added microplastics. These may include some personal care products, cosmetics, cleaning products, exfoliants, or products labeled as containing microbeads.

Support safer products and stronger protections. Tell retailers, brands, and policymakers you want them to reduce unnecessary plastics, ban toxic chemicals in plastics, increase transparency about chemicals used in products, and ensure safer alternatives are used instead.

What’s the solution?

It is impossible for us to shop our way out of the microplastics crisis. And we shouldn’t have to. People should be able to trust that the products they use, the food they eat, the water they drink, and the air they breathe are safe.

Companies shouldn’t continue producing and selling unnecessary plastics and plastic-containing products that contribute to widespread microplastic pollution and toxic chemical exposure. And governments shouldn’t allow plastics and chemicals on the market until they are proven safe for human health and the environment.

The only way to reduce exposure to microplastics for everyone is to change policies and business practices across the plastics lifecycle. That means reducing unnecessary plastic production and use, banning toxic chemicals in plastics, increasing transparency about chemicals used in products, and moving toward safer materials and solutions.

We’re fighting every day to protect people and the environment from harmful plastics and toxic chemicals. To join our fight, please consider making a donation, taking action with us, or signing up for our email list.

Our Key Projects & Priorities

Toxics in Plastic
Toxic-Free Cosmetics
Toxics in Food Packaging

Healthy Choices

Take Action

Tell Washington’s Department of Ecology:
Do not delay on toxic plastics!
Tell The Home Depot:
Stop selling poison plastic

References

  1. Vethaak, A.D. and J. Legler, Microplastics and human health. Science, 2021. 371(6530): p. 672–674.
  2. Prata, J.C., et al., A One Health perspective of the impacts of microplastics on animal, human and environmental health. Sci Total Environ, 2021. 777: p. 146094.
  3. Landrigan, P.J., et al., The Minderoo-Monaco Commission on Plastics and Human Health. Ann Glob Health, 2023. 89(1): p. 23.
  4. European Environment Agency, Microplastics from textiles: towards a circular economy for textiles in Europe. 2022.
  5. Seewoo, B.J., et al., Impacts associated with the plastic polymers polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, and polybutadiene across their life cycle: A review. Heliyon, 2024. 10(12): p. e32912.
  6. Weis, J.S. and J.J. Alava, (Micro)Plastics Are Toxic Pollutants. Toxics, 2023. 11(11).
  7. Koelmans, A.A., et al., Risk assessment of microplastic particles. Nature Reviews Materials, 2022. 7(2): p. 138–152.
  8. Maguire, L.W. and C.M. Gardner, Fate and transport of biological microcontaminants bound to microplastics in the soil environment. Sci Total Environ, 2023. 892: p. 164439.
  9. Wang, L.C., et al., Enrichment of Persistent Organic Pollutants in Microplastics from Coastal Waters. Environ Sci Technol, 2024. 58(50): p. 22391–22404.
  10. Zuri, G., A. Karanasiou, and S. Lacorte, Microplastics: Human exposure assessment through air, water, and food. Environ Int, 2023. 179: p. 108150.
  11. Ageel, H.K., S. Harrad, and M.A. Abdallah, Occurrence, human exposure, and risk of microplastics in the indoor environment. Environ Sci Process Impacts, 2022. 24(1): p. 17–31.
  12. Cox, K.D., et al., Human Consumption of Microplastics. Environ Sci Technol, 2019. 53(12): p. 7068–7074.
  13. Vasse, G.F. and B.N. Melgert, Microplastic and plastic pollution: impact on respiratory disease and health. Eur Respir Rev, 2024. 33(172).
  14. Eberhard, T., et al., Systematic review of microplastics and nanoplastics in indoor and outdoor air: identifying a framework and data needs for quantifying human inhalation exposures. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol, 2024. 34(2): p. 185–196.
  15. Sun, Q., S.Y. Ren, and H.G. Ni, Incidence of microplastics in personal care products: An appreciable part of plastic pollution. Sci Total Environ, 2020. 742: p. 140218.
  16. Lin, Q., et al., Occurrence of microplastics in three types of household cleaning products and their estimated emissions into the aquatic environment. Sci Total Environ, 2023. 902: p. 165903.
  17. Castillo, E.F., K.S. Korfmacher, and A.C. Tyler, Invited Perspective: Should You Scrap Your Plastic Cutting Board? Environ Health Perspect, 2025. 133(3-4): p. 41302.
  18. Gan, H.J., et al., Simulated Microplastic Release from Cutting Boards and Evaluation of Intestinal Inflammation and Gut Microbiota in Mice. Environ Health Perspect, 2025. 133(3-4): p. 47004.
  19. Winiarska, E., M. Jutel, and M. Zemelka-Wiacek, The potential impact of nano- and microplastics on human health: Understanding human health risks. Environ Res, 2024. 251(Pt 2): p. 118535.
  20. Rahman, A., et al., Potential human health risks due to environmental exposure to nano- and microplastics and knowledge gaps: A scoping review. Sci Total Environ, 2021. 757: p. 143872.
  21. Chartres, N., et al., Effects of Microplastic Exposure on Human Digestive, Reproductive, and Respiratory Health: A Rapid Systematic Review. Environ Sci Technol, 2024. 58(52): p. 22843–22864.
  22. Ullah, S., et al., A review of the endocrine disrupting effects of micro and nano plastic and their associated chemicals in mammals. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne), 2022. 13: p. 1084236.