Microplastics in the Body: Hidden Threats You Can’t See
How Microplastics Enter The Body:
Microplastics find their way into the body through several primary routes:
Inhalation: Ultrafine particles in the air – especially indoor air, are inhaled deep into the lungs.
Ingestion: Contaminated food (particularly seafood – A new study conducted by the Portland State University (PSU)’s Applied Coastal Ecology Lab found microplastic particles in 99 percent of fish and shellfish samples. Pink shrimp had the highest concentrations of microplastic particles. The species is a filter feeder, feeding just below the water’s surface, so they ingest anything floating in the upper water column – including microplastic, salt – due to the presence of microplastics in seawater, the source of salt production, and produce) and water in plastic bottles are major sources.
Absorption or Injection: Nanoplastics may also enter via the skin, blood transfusions, or intravenous medications.
Particle Size Varies:
Smallest Range: These are of greatest concern. They’re small enough to pass through the blood-brain barrier and reach the brain, lungs, and other delicate tissues, usually introduced via inhalation.
Middle Range: These particles are typically absorbed through the gut, crossing the blood-gut barrier via food and beverages.
Largest Range: Too large to enter through the lungs or gastrointestinal system. Their presence in blood may suggest exposure through IV medications, contaminated injections, or transfusions.
Important Note: Microplastics are cumulative, they build up in the body over time and can linger in the body for years.
“These effects [of microplastics] consist of oxidative stress, DNA damage, organ dysfunction, metabolic disorder, immune response, neurotoxicity, as well as reproductive and developmental toxicity… chronic diseases may be related to microplastics exposure.”
— ACS Environmental Health, 2023 (source)
Newer studies have now linked microplastics to serious health risks:
- Dementia & brain inflammation (Nature, 2024)
- Heart disease & stroke due to arterial plastic buildup (Harvard Health)
- Autism & developmental disorders linked to endocrine-disrupting plasticizers (Newsweek)
The Epithelial Barrier: The Body’s First Line Of Defense
The epithelial barrier lines the gut, lungs, and skin, functioning as the body’s gatekeeper. It controls what’s allowed into the bloodstream and what stays out.
Microplastics disrupt the epithelial barrier leading to leaky gut and leaky brain. Toxins then enter the blood stream where they are carried to vital organs like the liver, kidneys and brain. These tiny toxins build up silently over time, altering biological function and contributing to inflammation, immune dysfunction and chronic dis-ease.
Microplastics Are Everywhere
Even the foods we think of as “clean” can be contaminated:
- Seafood: Fish and filter feeders like shrimp and mussels accumulate plastic from polluted water. These plastics then transfer directly to whomever eats them.
- Fruits and Vegetables: Plants can absorb microplastics through contaminated water and soil. These same plastics disrupt soil health and beneficial microbes.
- Salt and Sugar: Sea salt and table sugar often contain microplastics.
- Water (Tap and Plastic Water Bottles): The consumption of water in plastic bottles can contribute to 90,000 particles per year, compared to just 4,000 from tap water.
- Processed Foods & Packaging: Processed foods are contaminated both by ingredients and by packaging, especially plastics like polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), which leach harmful chemicals when heated or in contact with acidic foods.
- Plastic storage containers, wrappers, and measuring scoops continuously shed micro-particles, especially when heated, reused, or cleaned.
- Plastic cutting boards: Food being prepped on these can be heavily contaminated. Every scratch you see on the cutting board is a piece of microplastics that is now in your food!
- Microplastics have been detected in commercial pet foods
- Pet food and supplements
- Pet food packaging
- Plastic bowls and plastic water dispensers
- Chew toys and synthetic bedding
- Household dust and carpets – Household dust, particularly from carpets, is a significant source of microplastics, which can be inhaled or ingested and potentially pose health risks. Synthetic carpets shed microfibers, contributing significantly to airborne microplastics.
Industry Challenges: Though the answer lies in substituting another material in place of plastic, like glass, ceramic or stainless steel, these materials have consequences and limitations. Glass and ceramic are fragile, heavy, expensive, and often impractical for shipping, especially in larger quantities.
Stainless steel is also heavy and impractical as a packaging agent.
Though we may not be able to eliminate microplastics entirely, we can make small, effective shifts to reduce daily exposure:
How to Reduce Your Pet’s (and Your) Exposure to Microplastics
Switch to glass, ceramic or stainless steel containers at home
Ditch plastic food storage, bowls, cutting boards, toys and food scoops to avoid daily leaching and particle shedding.
Buy products packaged in glass (drinks, condiments, food items). The drink bottles can be reused for water bottles. The jars with food items can be repurposed for food storage.
Or Buy stainless steel water bottles, they are more durable than glass and stainless steel does not leach harmful chemicals. No matter what, avoid plastic water bottles!
Use a water filtration system that eliminates microplastics and heavy metals. Click here for my recommendations.
Choose Minimally Packaged Foods
Buy in bulk or select products with eco-conscious packaging – for you and your pets. Click Here For EvoLove Raw!
Wash Produce Thoroughly
Rinse under running water and gently scrub to remove surface particles. Water alone doesn’t remove microplastics, pesticides, or harmful pathogens. Filtered water is better, structured water is even better but ozone-infused water? That’s the gold standard.
The Ozone Bubbler supercharges your rinse with powerful O₃ (ozone) molecules that neutralize toxins, kill bacteria, break down pesticides, and help dislodge microplastic particles hiding in nooks and crannies, all without leaving residue. Just add your produce to a bowl of ozonated water, and let the bubbles work their magic. It’s fast, effective, and chemical-free. Available now Click Here!
Test don’t guess!
Blood testing for microplastics is now available.
Pasco Veterinary Medical Center utilizes a special laboratory that can test for microplastics in the blood. Knowledge is power. For more details get in touch email pvmc4u@pascovet.com
Support Natural Detox Pathways
Detox isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity in today’s toxic world. Click Here for more on detoxification!
Clean Your Air
Microplastics aren’t just in food and water — they’re also in the air we breathe. Indoors especially.
That’s why I recommend the JASPR Air Filtration System — air filtration designed to remove microplastics, VOCs, mold spores, and airborne toxins from your home or pet care environment. In honor of reducing microplastic exposure we are offering a $200 discount! Click Here!
“A Plastic Ocean” is a documentary that follows filmmaker Craig Leeson and diver Tanya Streeter as they investigate the devastating effects of plastic pollution in our oceans. The film showcases the extent of plastic accumulation and its impact on marine life. It also highlights potential solutions and technologies for addressing the problem. The documentary was filmed in over 20 locations across four years.
Microplastics are the invisible enemy we have become reliant on. In our desire for fast, cheap and convenient, we have sacrificed our health and the health of all creatures that inhabit this planet.
How do we make change? One decision at a time. Choose safer packaging when possible. Replace the plastic, 1 item at a time. The more people demand safer healthier alternative packaging (by voting with their dollars), the more companies will listen and respond to consumer demand. YOUR DOLLAR COUNTS, vote wisely.
Note: At EvoLove, we are actively seeking better packaging and sourcing options for our supplements and foods. Most of our products are in glass. Our raw diets are packaged in high-quality, food-grade plastics that are rigorously tested and verified for safety. These materials are designed to prevent leaching, withstand temperature shifts, and avoid the risks of leakage or puncture—crucial when dealing with raw food. Removing plastics is a journey and we invite you to join us. Awareness is the first step. The more consumers demand plastic-free, toxin-free alternatives, the more pressure we create for lasting change. Watch this space as we continue to improve and lead by example.
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“Humans ingest a credit card’s worth of plastic each week,” World Wildlife Fund Report (University of Newcastle), https://www.wwf.org.au/news/news/2019/humans-consume-a-credit-card-worth-of-plastic-a-week
“Plus Plastic: Microplastics Found in Bottled Water,” Orb Media & State University of New York, https://orbmedia.org/stories/plus-plastic
“First evidence of microplastics in dog and cat feces,” American Chemical Society, 2023, https://www.acs.org/pressroom/newsreleases/2023/august/first-evidence-of-microplastics-in-dog-and-cat-feces.html
New study finds microplastics in commonly eaten seafood
“Microplastics in seafood: Occurrence, human health effects and mitigation,” Trends in Food Science & Technology, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2020.01.005
“Microplastics in agricultural soils and crop plants,” Environmental Science & Technology, 2022, https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.2c01481
“Migration of plastic constituents into food: A review,” Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1111/1541-4337.12487
“Microplastics and human health: Hazard identification and exposure assessment,” Science of the Total Environment, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150495
“Microplastics and nanoplastics detected in human blood,” Environment International, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2022.107199
“Microplastic exposure causes intestinal dysbiosis and cognitive impairment in mice,” Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125529
“Toxicological Effects of Micro- and Nanoplastics on Humans: A Review,” ACS Environmental Health, 2023, https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/envhealth.3c00052
“Microplastics in arteries linked to heart disease risk,” Harvard Health Publishing, https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/microplastics-in-arteries-linked-to-heart-disease-risk
“Microplastics found in human brain tissue and linked to cognitive decline,” Nature Medicine, 2024, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-024-03453-1
“Microplastics and BPA may be linked to autism, study shows,” Newsweek, 2024, https://www.newsweek.com/microplastics-autism-bpa-child-development-1936635
Dr. Marlene Siegel’s Water Filtration Recommendations, https://www.transformingvetmedicine.com/resources
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/envhealth.3c00052
EvoLove Herbal + ION Gut Health for Pets, https://store.evolovepet.com
Empowered Pet Parent Course, https://www.transformingvetmedicine.com
https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/microplastics-in-arteries-linked-to-heart-disease-risk
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-024-03453-1
https://www.newsweek.com/microplastics-autism-bpa-child-development-1936635
Disclaimer:
The content provided herein has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and reflects solely the professional opinion(s) of the author. It is not intended to serve as individualized medical advice, diagnose any condition, or endorse specific products or services for the treatment of illnesses. This information is strictly for educational purposes. It is advisable to seek guidance from a licensed healthcare professional of your choosing to pursue optimal health goals. Prior to initiating any changes mentioned herein or embarking on a new diet, exercise, or health regimen consultation with a licenced veterinarian is recommended. Any utilization of the information, resources, or recommendations contained herein is done at your own discretion and risk.
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