Microplastics in the body

We're increasingly confronted with the term " microplastics " and how harmful they are. But what exactly are they? How do microplastics get into our bodies, and is they dangerous to our health? And can we do anything about it? We'll answer all these questions for you in this article!

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles with a diameter between 0.0001 millimeters and a maximum of five millimeters . Researchers distinguish between primary and secondary microplastics.

Primary microplastics are industrially produced plastic particles that are then used specifically in certain products. Examples include polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polyamide (nylon). Secondary microplastics, on the other hand, are created when a plastic begins to degrade and break down.

According to WWF calculations, we ingest around five grams of this type of plastic per week. In other words, each of us consumes about a credit card per week and approximately 260 grams of microplastics per year. Surely you didn't have a credit card for dinner last night... but how do these tiny particles get into our bodies?

This happens unconsciously and unintentionally in many different ways, which we have listed here for you:

Apparently, secondary microplastics end up in the ocean via our plastic waste , which decomposes into thousands of small particles or ends up in the water via rivers or the ground.

But primary microplastics also flow into the world's waterways via our wastewater . The largest proportion, 35 percent, gets into the wastewater via the washing of textiles made from plastic fibers . This amounts to around 2,000 tiny particles per wash cycle. The water flows from the washing machine into the sewer system and finally into the sewage treatment plants . Unfortunately, it is not yet possible to completely filter out the smaller particles there. This water then ends up in streams and rivers and possibly even in the ocean. In addition, sewage sludge is used as fertilizer, which is why the microplastics seep through our fields into our soil . From there, they are then washed into rivers and oceans by floods or end up directly in the groundwater.

Once they reach the ocean, the small plastic particles are often mistaken for food and eaten by marine life. Even if the particles decompose beforehand, pesticides or plasticizers are released and ingested by plankton or fish larvae, which in turn serve as food for larger fish. By eating fish, we then ingest the microplastics into our bodies through our food.

Researchers now suspect that microplastics can also be spread through the air , settling in raindrops or snowflakes. According to a recent study by researchers at the Alfred Wegener Institute, microplastics have already been detected in snow samples .

Our bodies normally have natural mechanisms , such as mucous membranes in the mouth, nose, and throat, designed to prevent the absorption of even the smallest particles. However, microplastics have a different composition , which is why they could still enter the human body and become lodged there. However, researchers and scientists have not yet been able to provide clear evidence for this theory.

Microplastics are found in many cosmetic products , including toothpastes, hand washes, and especially scrubs and shower gels. However, in Europe, the use of microplastics in cosmetics is to be severely restricted starting in 2022.

Microplastics are also found in many other items in everyday life and are released into our bodies or into the environment.

Plastic particles have been detected in drinking water from plastic bottles and, in smaller concentrations, even in glass bottles . In plastic bottles, the tiny plastic particles detach from the bottle walls and enter the water. In the case of glass bottles, researchers assume that the microplastics entered the interior of the bottles during the cleaning process.

It has also been observed that plastic particles detach from plastic baby bottles and thus enter the baby's liquid feed. Especially at elevated temperatures, these particles are more likely to mix with the baby's milk. Therefore, the baby food should be cooled before filling the bottle, the plastic bottle should be sterilized and rinsed with cold water after feeding, or glass bottles should be used instead.

While we keep our homes clean, we inadvertently pollute our wastewater with smaller plastic particles. Microplastics are found in many detergents, cleaning products , and fabric softeners . These small particles are also released when we use microfiber cloths or dishwashing sponges .

By the way: did you know that tiny microplastic particles are also found in the soles of our shoes , which are released into the environment through the abrasion of walking?

However, one of the largest sources of microplastics in the air, soil, and groundwater is tire wear on our roads. According to scientists, this amounts to several thousand tons of plastic particles entering our environment.

The damage microplastics cause in the human body and whether they can cause certain diseases has not yet been conclusively determined.

However, several studies have already investigated the potential effects of microplastics on animals such as whales and other marine life. We often see images of stranded whales with their stomachs full of plastic. Researchers conclude that the plastic particles can cause damage to the gastrointestinal tract and a persistent feeling of satiety . Other possible consequences include impaired locomotion and growth, as well as difficulties with reproduction. In some studies, scientists have even observed behavioral changes in hermit crabs.

Among other things, the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) was able to detect microplastics in human stool and thus also in our gastrointestinal tract through a study. However, it is currently unknown how microplastics are absorbed into our bodies, how dangerous they are for us, and what the long-term consequences might be. So far, only speculations about the effects have been made, including that the plastic particles could act as a kind of magnet for other pollutants and bind to pesticides, plasticizers, and other environmental toxins. There are also vague suspicions that the deposits could lead to inflammation in the body or even the formation of tumors .

The consequences of microplastics, which we inhale into our lungs , are also still completely unclear. This is especially true because researchers still disagree on whether and in what quantities the plastic particles enter our bodies, and there is a lack of a suitable study on this topic.

So, is there no reason to worry? For the sake of our environment alone, we should avoid microplastics as much as possible.

The first major step, of course, is to avoid plastic altogether, as microplastics enter our environment when they decompose. In another blog post , we already listed some tips on how to live a plastic-free life . Support for this has recently been provided by the German government's regulation. According to this regulation, the sale of single-use plastic items such as cotton swabs, takeaway packaging, plates, and drinking straws has been banned since July 2021.

There are already very good alternatives to the microplastic traps in our everyday lives:

• Studies show that the body absorbs only 4,000 particles per year when consuming tap water , compared to 90,000 when drinking only from plastic bottles . Avoiding plastic bottles is also more environmentally friendly!
• The problem with shoe soles can be solved by using a sole made of leather or biodegradable natural rubber.
• Instead of microfiber cloths or synthetic dish sponges, you can simply use cotton rags .
• Synthetic fibers are often used in sports and performance clothing, tights, socks, and shirts, and are released into our wastewater during washing. Clothing made from organic cotton, for example, is a better option.

It's generally worth checking the label when shopping. Substances like acrylate copolymer (AC), polyamide (PA), polypropylene (PET), or polyurethane (PUR) indicate microplastics and should be avoided. If you're not familiar with this or are unsure, we recommend the free app "CodeCheck." With this app, you can simply scan the barcode, and the app will show you which ingredients are hidden in the product.

You can also find more information on this topic in the shopping guide of the German Federation for the Environment and Nature Conservation (BUND). It lists cosmetics that contain microplastics and other plastics.

To solve the problem of microplastics caused by tire wear, it is recommended to avoid using the car and switch to bicycles or public transport.

However, if driving is unavoidable, you should drive with as much foresight as possible to minimize sudden braking or abrupt acceleration. Scientists are already working on alternatives made from dandelion rubber or modified abrasion concepts .

Even though we currently know very little about microplastics, we will certainly hear more about them and their consequences in the future . However, researchers and the majority of the population already agree that plastic is harmful to us and our environment, and so each of us should do our best to avoid plastic in our everyday lives!