In our last post, we learned that even bottled water contains tens of thousands of microplastics per year. But the story doesn’t end with drinking water. Once inside your body, microplastics don’t just pass through — they may stay, accumulate, and cause damage.
So what kind of damage are we talking about? Here are 5 major health issues that researchers have linked to microplastic exposure.
🧬 1. Cancer — Just a Theory? Not Anymore
A 2024 study from Nature shocked scientists by finding microplastics in over 75% of heart tissue samples — and in tumors too. These particles often carry carcinogens like BPA and phthalates, which disrupt hormones and may promote DNA damage and tumor growth.
❤️ 2. Heart Disease — Microplastics in Your Arteries?
A groundbreaking study from the European Society of Cardiology revealed microplastics embedded in the arterial walls of patients. Researchers believe this may lead to plaque buildup, inflammation, and eventually heart attack or stroke.
🧪 3. Liver & Kidney Damage
Microplastics can accumulate in organs like the liver and kidneys, disrupting detox pathways and potentially triggering non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or chronic kidney dysfunction. These organs are your body’s filters — but they weren’t built to handle plastic.
🧠 4. Hormonal Chaos
Microplastics often carry endocrine disruptors that interfere with your body’s natural hormone signals. This can affect reproductive health, thyroid function, and even mental wellness. Especially risky for women of childbearing age and developing children.
🧫 5. Immune System Breakdown
Some studies suggest microplastics may cause chronic low-grade inflammation or even weaken immune response, leaving your body more vulnerable to infections and long-term disease.
*References
Science of The Total Environment
👉 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969721003638
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
👉 https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/synthetic/microplastics/index.cfm
World Health Organization (WHO) Report 2022
👉 https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240054608
Environmental Science & Technology
👉 https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.1c09758
🧹 What Can You Do?
No need to panic — but yes, it’s time to be aware. Knowing where microplastics come from is your first step toward control.
📌 In our next post, we’ll dig into surprising sources of microplastics in daily life — and how to reduce them without giving up your lifestyle.