One of the biggest environmental problems of our time is plastic. We use it to create packaging, commercials, toys and many other everyday items. As much as 280 million tonnes of plastic waste ends up in landfills every year, and only 9 per cent is recycled.

The average person consumes around 5 grams of microplastic per week - an amount comparable to the weight of a credit card! For this reason, more and more research is focusing on analysing the effects of microplastics on human health.

What is microplastics?

Microplastics are very small plastic particles that are less than 5 millimetres in size. We distinguish between two types of microplastic: primary and secondary. Primary is deliberately produced in this size - for example, in the form of industrial granules, particles in cosmetics or clothing fibres. Secondary microplastics are formed by the breakdown of larger plastic fragments when exposed to various factors, such as sunlight, mechanical friction or water.

Where is the most microplastic?

In our daily lives we are constantly exposed to plastic, which can enter our bodies through contaminated food and water. The presence of microplastics has been detected in fish, honey, table salt and even fruit and vegetables, among others. Plastics can also penetrate food through contact with plastic packaging.

Our skin is also exposed, especially when coming into contact with cosmetics stored in plastic packaging. Microplastics can also enter the human body through the respiratory tract - sources in the air include exhaust fumes, car tyres and abraded plastic objects.

Is microplastic harmful to humans?

Research into the effects of microplastics on our health is still ongoing, but there is already growing evidence that microplastic particles accumulate in human bodies and negatively affect their functioning.

Studies prove that plastic particles can enter the lungs, causing irritation, inflammation and even respiratory diseases such as asthma. There is also evidence that it can penetrate the brain, increasing the risk of inflammation and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

Microplastics can also affect other body systems. It contains many toxic chemicals - phthalates, bisphenol A and heavy metals - which, when absorbed into the body, can disrupt the endocrine, immune and reproductive systems.

In recent years, a number of studies have emerged confirming the presence of microplastic in the human body. In 2022, researchers in the Netherlands showed the presence of microplastic in the blood of as many as 80 per cent of people tested. In contrast, a study published in the journal Toxicological Sciences, confirm its presence in the human placenta and estimate how much and which plastic can be found there.

How to avoid microplastics?

While it is impossible to completely eliminate microplastics from our lives, there are several ways to reduce the amount that enters our bodies.

• Above all, it is worth avoiding single-use plastics such as PET bottles and plastic food packaging.
• It is particularly important not to heat food in plastic containers - always put the food on a plate before putting it in the microwave.
• Instead of plastic, it is advisable to choose more environmentally friendly materials such as paper or glass.

It is a good habit to drink filtered tap water instead of that from plastic bottles. It is also a good idea to choose organically grown fruit and vegetables, as they are grown in less polluted environments, reducing the risk of microplastics getting into them.

When choosing clothes, it is worth paying attention to their composition. Fabrics such as polyester, nylon or spandex are synthetic materials that release plastic microfibres when worn, washed or rubbed. It is therefore worth buying clothes made from natural fabrics - such as cotton or linen.