Plastic is one of the earth’s biggest polluters. The UNEP has found that the equivalent of 2,000 garbage trucks full of plastic are dumped into the world's oceans, rivers, and lakes every single day. Faced with these staggering numbers, the smaller effects can sometimes be overlooked.
EPA researchers define microplastics as any plastic particles that range from 5 millimeters to 1 nanometer. There are primary microplastics and secondary microplastics. Primary microplastics are intentionally made small to use in consumer products while secondary microplastics are unintentionally created from the breakdown of larger plastic materials like food wrap and tires. Despite its size, microplastics have been found in every ecosystem on the planet, in our food, in the air that we breathe, and in animals’ livers, hearts, lungs, and brains.
Plastic is mainly made up of synthetic polymers like polyethylene and polypropylene. These are used in things like food wrap, plastic bags, toys, detergents, cosmetics, etc. The effects on human health caused by these microplastics are less studied. However, when microplastics break down, they can release residual monomers like polyurethanes and polyvinyl chloride that are known to lead to cancer and genetic mutation. Microplastics have also shown to block helpful chemicals in our body like I3A which could potentially damage our organs.
Additionally, once plastic is small enough to be considered a microplastic, it is extremely difficult to remove from the environment. As a result, prevention needs to start while plastic is still in its macro stage.
This can be done through some simple solutions like:
Weaning off of single use plastics
Using a reusable water bottle
Purchasing second hand items
Recycling
Declining bags and single use utensils with your takeout
Plastic pollution has worsened to a point where microplastics have infiltrated nearly every part of our lives. While this reality may be scary, it is also a needed reminder of the need for change. Through a few easy, conscious choices, we can all work to reduce microplastics at its source and help ease the burden on our planet.
Works Cited:
United States Environmental Protection Agency. “Microplastics Research.” Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 2 July 2025, https://www.epa.gov/water-research/microplastics-research. Accessed 20 September 2025.
Ziani, Khaled. “Microplastics: A Real Global Threat for Environment and Food Safety: A State of the Art Review.” Microplastics: A Real Global Threat for Environment and Food Safety: A State of the Art Review, 25 January 2023, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9920460/. Accessed 20 September 2025.
