5 Potential Health Risks of Microplastics
At first glance, cute, colorful plastic lunchboxes and sport water bottles seem safe enough — but the deeper story is anything but innocent. Products like these are near impossible to get rid of. Even after being tossed out or recycled, they’ve already broken down into tiny pieces called microplastics.
These particles linger in your home, your body, and the environment, wreaking havoc along the way. In fact, mounting evidence suggests that there are serious harmful effects of microplastics on human health. So, let’s break them down…
1. Hormone disruption
Microplastics can harbor and transport endocrine-disrupting substances such as bisphenols (such as BPA), phthalates, and even heavy metals inside the body. Research cites that as the plastics break down, they leach toxins which can have a damaging effect on the thyroid, testis, and ovaries — body parts that play key roles in hormones and reproductive health.
2. Chronic diseases
Over time, inflammation can affect the body’s natural functioning and immune response. Research suggests that microplastic exposure can worsen inflammation in the body, a health factor that has been linked to long-term illnesses not caused by infections. This raises the concern that increases in exposure to microplastics could amplify the risk and severity of noncommunicable, or chronic diseases.
3. Preterm births
Research has also discovered a potential link between preterm birth, the leading cause of infant death worldwide, and microplastics. In one study, researchers found significantly higher concentrations of microplastic pollution in placentas from premature births than in full-term births. This suggests that the accumulation of microplastics could be a contributing factor to this crucial aspect of infant health.
4. Cardiac events
Research is also beginning to link microplastic buildup with cardiac events. One study found that patients with microplastics in their plaque, had a higher risk in the coming years of heart attack, stroke and death than those who didn't. This research suggests that microplastics could be emerging as a potential risk factor for these conditions.
5. Dementia
Research examining microplastics in human organs found that bodily accumulation of microplastics may be increasing over time. In both the brain and liver samples studied, those from 2024 showed higher concentrations of microplastics than those in 2016. They also found higher levels of microplastics in brains that had a documented dementia diagnosis, suggesting a possible link between microplastics and neurodegenerative diseases.
While microplastics themselves are small, the impact they can have on our health isn't. And while we can’t totally eliminate them, learning how to avoid exposure to microplastics can help protect our wellbeing — and the health of our little ones.
We started Pura Stainless to offer families like yours convenient, eco-friendly products that make it easy to reduce your exposure to microplastics and live a healthier life. Head to our website to shop our 100% plastic-free nutrition and hydration solutions for all ages.
Sources:
https://magazine.hms.harvard.edu/articles/microplastics-everywhere
https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/02/how-microplastics-get-into-the-food-chain/
Hormone disruption:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9885170/
Chronic diseases:
https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-medicine/pdf/S2666-3791(24)00273-8.pdf
Preterm birth:
https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/02/how-microplastics-get-into-the-food-chain/
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/preterm-birth
https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1003718
Cardiac events:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38446676/
Brain health/dementia:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-024-03453-1
