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Microplastics

Plastics

Microplastics are a symptom of a much bigger problem: the plastics crisis. From production to disposal, plastics break down and release tiny particles containing harmful chemicals that contaminate our water, food, air, and bodies. We can’t solve the microplastics problem without tackling plastic pollution at its source.

Elected officials have the power to adopt solutions to end the plastic crisis.

What are Microplastics?

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles less than 5mm in size and many are too small to see with the naked eye. They are everywhere including in our food, water and air. Researchers estimate that the average American consumes as much as 100,000 microplastic particles every year. Microplastics are found everywhere, they carry toxic chemical additives, and they can cause serious harm. All of this points to the urgent need to address the global plastic pollution crisis.

Microplastics: What’s at Stake?

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do microplastics come from?

Microplastics are released at every stage of the plastic lifecycle, from production to disposal.

  • Production: Microplastics are released during the manufacturing of plastic pellets, which are the raw materials used to make most plastic products.
  • Use: Everyday plastic items like clothing and textiles, furniture, packaging, and building materials shed microplastics as they wear down over time.
  • Recycling: Even during recycling, plastics can break into microplastics that are released into the air and water.
  • Intentional additives: Some products including cosmetics, cleaning supplies, paint, and fertilizers have microplastics intentionally added to them.
How are we exposed?

Microplastics are everywhere. They are in the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink.

  • Air: Indoor air and household dust are significant sources of exposure, especially in homes filled with plastic products.
  • Food and drinking water: Microplastics have been found in meat, seafood, fruits, vegetables, drinking water, and even salt.
  • Skin contact: Microplastics and the toxic chemicals they carry can be absorbed through the skin.
Why should we be concerned?

Microplastics aren’t just tiny, they are toxic. Microplastics act like tiny toxic time bombs, carrying harmful chemicals wherever they go, and putting our health at risk in ways scientists are just beginning to understand.

  • They contain harmful chemicals. Many plastics are made with toxic additives like plasticizers, toxic flame retardants, and stabilizers. These chemicals stay in microplastics and in the environment.
  • They absorb toxic chemicals. Microplastics can absorb toxic pollutants from the air, water and soil.
  • They contaminate the body. Researchers have found microplastics in nearly every part of the human body, including our heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, intestines, spleen, blood, placenta, breast milk, stool, urine, and even testicles. Once inside the body, microplastics can move into our tissues and organs, where they’ve been shown to cause cellular damage. 
  • They pose serious health risks. New research suggests links between microplastics and increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular disease, stroke, infertility and reproductive harm, hormone disruption, certain cancers, and premature death.

What can lawmakers do?

The Solution

Microplastics are merely a symptom of a much larger plastics problem. To protect people and the planet we must reduce the use of plastics and phase out the hazardous chemicals used in their production.

1.Eliminate unnecessary plastic use and promote non-toxic reusables

Plastic production and single use plastics contribute to microplastic pollution. Policymakers should:

  • Reduce unnecessary single-use plastics through phase-outs.
  • Invest in and incentivize non-toxic, reusable systems
  • Make reuse a central pillar of circular economy policies

2. Eliminate intentionally added microplastics in consumer products

Microplastics are still being added on purpose to everyday products such as cosmetics, cleaning supplies, fertilizers, and paint. Policymakers should:

  • Phase-out the intentional use of microplastics in all products

3. Require microplastics monitoring and testing

We can’t solve what we don’t measure. Policymakers should establish and fund programs to:

  • Monitor microplastics in air, water, soil, and food
  • Increase transparency and public awareness of findings
  • Support scientific research on microplastics’ health and environmental impacts

4. Eliminate the most hazardous plastic types and additives

Some plastics and the chemicals used to make them are especially harmful. Policymakers should:

  • Phase out the most harmful types of plastic including PVC, polystyrene, polycarbonate, and melamine
  • Phase out high-hazard additives in plastics such as bisphenols, ortho-phthalates, plasticizers, toxic flame retardants (e.g. organohalogens) and PFAS

Conclusion

Microplastics are a warning sign of a much larger plastics crisis that threatens our health, environment, and future. Solving this problem requires bold, upstream solutions that reduce plastic production and use, eliminate toxic chemicals, and invest in safer and reusable solutions. Policymakers have a critical opportunity to lead and take meaningful steps to protect people, communities, and ecosystems from the growing harms of microplastic pollution.

Additional Resources