The term, “microplastics,” was first used 20 years ago, kicking off two decades of research on its impacts. Nowadays, microplastics are found in the environment, in animals, and in humans throughout the globe. Research on the human health impacts of microplastics is gathering steam, with a number of studies showing negative impacts on different parts of the body.
At the same time, research on PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) has also gained momentum. PFAS compounds are ever present in the environment and in living things, including humans. Like microplastics, PFAS chemicals also have negative health effects.
How are microplastics and PFAS chemicals linked, if at all? Do microplastics and PFAS compounds, together, represent an even greater threat to our health? Continue reading to find out more about microplastics and PFAS and how they combine to impact the environment and our health.
A brief background on microplastics
What are microplastics?
When the term “microplastics” was coined two decades ago, they were defined as very small fragments of plastic debris about 20 micrometers in diameter (about 5 times smaller than the width of a human hair). Today, there isn’t a universally accepted definition of “microplastics,” but researchers have broadened the use of the term. It now includes any plastic-containing fragment or particle that is between 1 micrometer and 5 millimeters (5000 micrometers) in size. For plastic particles smaller than 1 micrometer, the term “nanoplastics” might be used, but these are considered a subcategory of microplastics.
Most microplastics result from degraded plastic particles and plastic pieces that form from larger plastic products. It is estimated that between 380 to 460 million tons of plastic are produced globally each year. About 50% of new plastic is made for single-use plastic packaging, much of which ends up in landfills and in the environment. A lot of this plastic ends up in the notorious Pacific Garbage Patch.
Plastic products break down very slowly over time into smaller pieces. Eventually, they become microplastics and enter the food chain when animals ingest them. Microplastics can also enter the food system due to their presence in fertilizers and sewage sludge. And last but not least, everyday consumer products made from plastics release small amounts of microplastics due to regular use, which people ingest, breath in, or absorb through the skin.
What are the health effects of microplastics?
Scientific research on the adverse effects of microplastics in humans is beginning to increase significantly. As with many areas of health research, initial studies regarding the potential health impacts of microplastics were done through laboratory or animal research. More recently, human research studies have augmented these lab and animal studies to help us understand the potential harms. Persistent exposure to microplastics could lead to issues including: inflammation, cardiovascular disease, cancer, autoimmune disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, reproductive problems, asthma, general fatigue, bowel problems, and hormone disruption. These problems could be due to the plastic particles themselves, or more typically, due to the other chemicals and toxins that attach to the microplastics and interfere with your body.
In a landmark study following 257 patients for close to 3 years, researchers found a clear correlation between microplastics in the blood vessels and increased risk of heart attack and stroke, as well as increased risk of death to all causes. This study focused on patients who already had carotid artery disease (narrowing of blood vessels that supply blood to the brain). They found that patients with high levels of microplastics in plaque within the blood vessels had twice the risk of heart attack or stroke. Further studies are ongoing to understand the impact of microplastics in other areas of human health.
PFAS and microplastics go hand-in-hand
We have written extensively about PFAS chemicals and their health impacts. (See our Blog for articles about PFAS). In short, PFAS is linked with a variety of negative health consequences, many of which are similar to the potential health issues linked with microplastics.
What’s concerning is that both PFAS and microplastics are ever present in the environment, in the food and beverages we consume, and in the everyday products that we use. Aquatic environments are full of microplastics and PFAS chemicals, and the wide distribution of microplastics in waterways also leads to distribution of PFAS chemicals. A 2020 study of lake water showed that PFAS chemicals adhere tightly to microplastics, including polypropylene, polyester, and polyethylene. These microplastics and PFAS chemicals make their way into aquatic life and into the food chain.
Not only that, drinking water is contaminated with microplastics as well as PFAS in many areas, including municipal water and even bottled water. Without good water filters in the home, you may be exposed to microplastics and PFAS on a daily basis.
And last but definitely not least, numerous household and consumer products contain both microplastics and PFAS chemicals that expose you to these pollutants. Using non-stick pans that are cracked or degraded, for example, could expose you to thousands of microplastic particles and PFAS at the same time.
All of these exposures could mean that microplastics and PFAS chemicals act together to increase the negative health effects of each, perhaps beyond what they might do separately.
Reducing exposure to microplastics and PFAS at the same time
Many of the recommendations for reducing exposure to microplastics are similar to those for reducing PFAS exposures. So, avoiding one will help you avoid the other.
Start by limiting your use of plastic products, including single-use plastics, plastic food storage containers, plastic bottles, and plastic utensils. Reusable alternatives made of stainless steel or glass will help to reduce exposures to microplastics and reduce PFAS ingestion at the same time.
Fitting a suitable water filter at home will also reduce microplastics and PFAS exposure. Filters that capture 2.5 microns or smaller particles remove microplastics from your drinking water.
Also look out for microplastics and PFAS particles from rugs, furniture, and clothing. Natural fibers instead of synthetic materials like polyester and nylon will help reduce microplastics. If these materials are not treated with stain-resistant or water-repellent coatings, they’ll also have less or no PFAS chemicals.
Testing and monitoring for toxin exposure
Given the ubiquity of microplastics and PFAS, knowing one’s exposure levels would be a good start to understand potential risks. Measuring and tracking toxin levels over time helps individuals take additional preventative measures.
For PFAS testing, our team at Relentless Health has developed an at-home PFAS test to help anyone who’s concerned about PFAS exposure. As for testing for microplastics in your body, PlasticTox and Blueprint appear to provide these options (we, the authors of this article, have not tested these microplastic tests and disclaim any validity or utility of those tests).
Disclaimer: This article is for educational and informational purposes only. Nothing in this article or on the web site represents medical advice or an offer of medical, diagnostic, or treatment products or services. Anyone concerned about their health should consult a licensed medical professional.
