Just a few decades ago, many households relied on glass bottles, cloth shopping bags, and natural fibers. Food was stored in jars or wrapped in paper, and products were built to last rather than be thrown away.
Over the past 20–30 years, however, our daily lives have shifted dramatically—from reusable to disposable, from natural to synthetic. Plastic became the symbol of convenience, creeping into nearly every corner of modern life.
Today, more than 450 million tons of plastic are produced each year, a number projected to triple by 2060. We often picture massive landfills or the Pacific garbage patch when we think about plastic waste.
But plastic doesn’t simply disappear once it’s discarded. Instead, it breaks down into smaller and smaller fragments known as microplastics: tiny pieces less than 5 millimeters in size that are now found not only in the environment, but also inside our bodies.
Where Are Microplastics Found?
Microplastics are everywhere: in the water we drink, the air we breathe, the food we eat, the products we use, and the clothes we wear. We also inhale them from indoor dust and clothing fibers. Scientists have discovered them embedded in brain tissue, reproductive organs, breastmilk, and even in newborns’ first stool.
Microplastics have contaminated virtually every corner of the natural world, even those that are seemingly untouched: in the deepest parts of the ocean, embedded in the sediment of riverbeds, floating in Arctic sea ice, and even falling from the sky in remote mountain regions.
Research shows that microplastics travel through wind and precipitation, allowing them to settle in high-altitude areas like the French Pyrenees or the Rocky Mountains, far from any urban center.
Marine life is especially vulnerable: coral reefs absorb plastic particles, fish mistake them for food, and shellfish filter them into their bodies, eventually transferring microplastics up the food chain to humans.
But what are the biggest sources of microplastic contamination?
● Fast Fashion and Synthetic Fabrics: The rise of SHEIN and Temu has introduced a new era of “fast fashion” where synthetic clothes are cheaply produced and not expected to last long. Washing polyester, nylon, and acrylic garments releases thousands of plastic microfibers into wastewater. These tiny threads are too small to be filtered by most water treatment plants, eventually entering rivers and oceans. Clothing is usually quickly discarded and sent to a dump to break down.
● Plastic Packaging and Bottle Caps: Plastic packaging is one of the most common and persistent sources of microplastics in our environment. Thin films, wrappers, and containers break down under sunlight and friction, shedding microscopic particles into soil, water, and food. Surprisingly, even glass-bottled drinks aren’t immune. The issue isn’t the glass, but the painted coating on the caps, which flakes off during manufacturing and bottling processes. These fragments mix with the liquid and remain undetected by consumers.
● Tire and Road Wear: Every time a car or truck hits the road, the friction between tires and pavement releases microplastics, and these particles are carried by wind, washed into stormwater drains, and eventually flow into rivers, lakes, and oceans. Tire wear is now considered one of the largest contributors to microplastic pollution in aquatic environments.
● Industrial and Cosmetic Microbeads: Although they are now banned in many countries, plastic microbeads were once common in facial scrubs, toothpaste, and exfoliating soaps. While regulations have curbed their use in cosmetics, industrial microbeads are still used in processes like sandblasting and injection molding. These industrial uses remain largely unregulated and contribute to long-term environmental contamination.
● Paint, Coatings, and Building Materials: Paints used on homes, ships, road markings, and industrial machinery contain plastic-based polymers that degrade over time. As these coatings chip, peel, or are abraded by weather and human activity, they release microplastic particles into the air, water, and soil. Microplastic dust from building materials such as insulation, siding, and synthetic flooring can also accumulate indoors, contributing to indoor air pollution.
● Commercial Fertilizer: Many controlled-release fertilizers are coated in plastic polymers designed to slowly deliver nutrients. Over time, these coatings break down into microplastics, which remain in the soil or wash into nearby waterways.
Environmental Impact
The Soil
We’re now discovering that microplastics are responsible for more ecological destruction than we thought. At the soil level, microplastics affect soil structure, microbial communities, and nutrient cycles.
This, in turn, hinders plant productivity and seed germination, leading to a decline in crop production that we are already beginning to see the effects of.
Many of these plants also take up microplastics from the soil, with root vegetables absorbing the most. This affects the animals that depend on these plants for sustenance, causing oxidative stress, inflammation, and damage to organ tissues that they then pass on to their offspring.
Water
Our waterways are the most vulnerable to contamination because a slight shift away from optimal balance can have cascading effects. Microplastics are already affecting plankton populations, oxygen exchange, and causing widespread death of coral reefs.
Along with the acidification of our seas and the melting of our ice caps, the ocean is already at risk. This is a bottom-up effect that is then passed on to aquatic life: They block the digestive tracts of aquatic animals, reduce appetite, and disrupt reproductive cycles.
Toxic Accumulation
This effect causes “bioamplification” where the level of microplastics increases as it moves up the food chain. Insects ingest microplastics, and insects are eaten by small animals, who are eaten by larger animals. The level of microplastics grows as it transfers from one organism to the next.
Human Health Impact
Microplastics have quietly made their way into our lives, and while they’ve raised questions about long-term exposure, scientists are still working to uncover the ways they interact with the human body.
While this is definitely unsettling, understanding where they go and what they do in the body is the first step toward protecting our health.
Estimates say that the average person consumes a credit card’s worth of plastic every week. But do microplastics pose a risk to our health? How can we avoid them or remove them from our bodies?
Recent studies have shown that these particles can enter the body through everyday exposure: food packaging, a favorite polyester shirt, the steam from cooking seafood, or even the painted metal caps used to seal bottles and jars.
The Lungs
Once inside the body, microplastics don’t always pass straight through. In some cases, they’ve been detected in lung tissue, the bloodstream, and even organs like the liver and kidneys.
Researchers are investigating how these particles might interact with our cells over time. For example, inhaled fibers may irritate lung tissue if exposure is long-term or frequent, which is something relevant in highly industrial, dusty, or polluted environments. This may account for the rising rates of lung cancer.
Our Cells
A 2024 review explored how microplastics may affect human health at the cellular level. It found that some particles can pass through the gut lining, enter the bloodstream, and interact with organ systems. In lab settings, exposure to high concentrations was shown to trigger low-level oxidative stress and interfere with cellular repair mechanisms.
The Immune System
This cascade of damage compromises the immune system, reduces the body's ability to detoxify itself, and introduces hormone-disrupting chemicals that are closely linked to many chronic diseases and may even impact fertility.
Fertility
Studies in rodents have shown reduced sperm count, altered ovarian function, and changes in hormone signaling after exposure to microplastics.
One reason for concern is that many plastics contain additives such as bisphenol A (BPA), a well-known xenoestrogen that mimics estrogen in the body and can disrupt normal hormonal balance.
While further studies are needed in humans, the presence of plastic particles in placental tissue and breastmilk suggests that exposure may begin far earlier in life than previously assumed.
Reducing Plastic Use for Your Health and Our Planet
While we can’t eliminate microplastics overnight, we can take steps starting today to reduce our exposure and lessen the plastic load on the planet. Every small change in your routine, shopping habits, or home environment adds up, protecting both your health and the ecosystems we all rely on.
Here’s how to start making a difference:
Shopping:
● At the grocery store, choose loose produce over pre-packaged ones, buy in bulk, and bring your own containers where possible.
● Opt for products in glass, aluminum, or cardboard instead of plastic bottles or bags.
● Buy from companies focused on sustainable materials and transparent packaging.
● Try out solid soaps and shampoos with minimal packaging.
● Look for certifications like “plastic-free,” “compostable,” or “zero-waste”.
● Check labels for microbeads or plastic ingredients like "polyethylene" in scrubs, toothpaste, or cosmetics and avoid them where possible.
Kitchen:
● Store food in glass containers, and don’t warm your food up in plastic.
● Use a high-quality water filter that is tested for microplastic reduction and avoid single-use water bottles.
● Do away with nonstick pans, plastic cutting boards, and plastic cooking utensils that can degrade over time. Opt instead for stainless steel, cast iron, or wood alternatives that are safer for both your body and the environment.
● Say no to plastic straws, utensils, and bags, keeping reusable options in your bag or car.
Clothing:
● Prioritize clothing made of natural fibers like cotton, linen, and wool instead of polyester or cotton.
● If you do have clothing made of synthetic fibers, try to wash them less often or use a microfiber-catching laundry bag or filter.
Household:
● Open windows regularly and minimize indoor plastic use (like synthetic rugs or PVC-based furniture).
● Use HEPA filters in air purifiers and vacuums to reduce airborne microplastics and dust fibers in your home.
● Choose clean personal care and household products free of synthetic fragrances, phthalates, and unnecessary plastics.
● Choose rechargeable batteries and plastic-free household tools when possible.
A proactive voice:
● Talk to friends and family about reducing plastic use, not out of fear, but out of shared care.
● Support policies and brands working toward a circular economy and environmental responsibility.
Detoxing from Microplastics
Unfortunately, avoiding microplastics entirely is not realistic. They’re in the air we breathe, the soil our food grows in, and the water we drink. But that doesn’t mean we’re powerless.
Luckily, your body is equipped with fantastic detoxification systems.
From your liver and kidneys to your gut microbiome and even your skin, your body is constantly working to identify, neutralize, and eliminate harmful substances, including plastics.
While we can’t erase microplastics from our environment overnight, we can support our bodies to become more resilient, responsive, and efficient at handling what comes in.
Autophagy
One of the most powerful tools your body uses is a process called autophagy, which is essentially cellular self-cleaning. Through autophagy, your body identifies damaged or toxic cellular components and recycles them, promoting healthier function and resilience.
You can help stimulate this natural repair mechanism through practices like intermittent fasting, regular aerobic movement, and including polyphenol-rich foods in your diet: think turmeric, green tea, ginger, and extra virgin olive oil.
This helps your cells cope with and recover from the kinds of stress plastics may contribute to.
The Gut and Other Detox Organs
Just as important is supporting the body’s natural detox organs.
Fiber plays a key role in moving waste, including potential plastic particles, out of the digestive tract.
Hydration helps the kidneys and liver function optimally, especially when paired with liver-friendly foods like beets, cruciferous vegetables, garlic, and herbs like dandelion or milk thistle.
There are also detox protocols that you can follow for your liver, found here.
Gut health is your first line of defense from ingested microplastics, and feeding your microbiome with prebiotics (like garlic and onions) and probiotics (from fermented foods) helps maintain the integrity of your gut barrier, which prevents harmful substances from entering your bloodstream.
Your lungs and skin also contribute to detoxification. Spending time in fresh air, using HEPA filters indoors, and reducing exposure to synthetic fibers or indoor dust can help lower airborne microplastic exposure.
Holistic Self Care
Holistic care also includes how we handle stress, sleep, and mental health. Elevated stress or chronic sympathetic activation can impair digestion, disrupt detox pathways, and increase inflammation, amplifying the effects of environmental exposures.
Prioritizing good sleep, practicing mindfulness, and spending time in nature may seem small, but these habits help reset and regulate the body at every level.
Now is the Time to Start!
Reducing your microplastic load can be achieved by stacking small, consistent choices. Switching to filtered water, wearing natural fibers, cooking with stainless steel, or choosing a glass jar over a plastic one.
How you spend your money is essentially a “vote” for a company or product, and if we can shift the buying behavior away from single-use plastic, then that’s a win for us and for our planet.
Each one supports your health while sending a message to the systems that shape our world that we care about our health and our planet.
Mika’s Essential Recommendations
· Glass water bottles
· Glass food containers with glass lids
· HEPA air filter
· Drink a prenty of water
· Intermittent fasting or occasional 1-2 days fasting
· Mika’s custom-made colon detox products (Ask Mika.)
· Probiotics
Avoid:
· Synthetic fabrics as much as possible and opt for natural materials (cotton and linen)
· Microwave, especially for plastic containers