By Ahana Singh Rathore
Picture this: You wake up, pour yourself a glass of water, brew a cup of tea, and sit down for breakfast. You take a deep breath before the day begins. In these simple moments, tiny plastic particles are making their way into your body—through the water you drink, the food on your plate, and even the air you inhale.
Microplastics, particles smaller than 5 millimeters, have seeped into every aspect of modern life. A 2019 study by the World Wildlife Fund and the University of Newcastle, Australia, found that an average person consumes about 5 grams of plastic every week—roughly a credit card’s worth (WWF, 2019). Where does it all go? And what does it mean for our health?
How Do Microplastics Sneak Into Our Bodies?
They come from the plastic bags we toss, the synthetic clothes we wear, and even the personal care products we use daily. And they don’t just vanish—plastic degrades into smaller fragments, embedding itself into our food, water, and air.
- Drinking Water: A 2018 study by Orb Media found that 93% of bottled water samples from major brands contained microplastics, with bottled water containing nearly double the plastic of tap water (Orb Media, 2018). In India, a study of the Ganga River found more than 40 types of microplastics in its waters, raising concerns about contamination in one of the country’s most vital water sources (Tiwari et al., 2020).
- Food Sources: If you love seafood, here’s a tough truth—one plate of shellfish can contain thousands of microplastic particles (Cox et al., 2019). Even common staples like salt and honey have been found to contain microplastics.
- Airborne Particles: Every time you take a deep breath, you could be inhaling microplastics. Research has found that urban dwellers might be inhaling 11-16 plastic particles per hour (Allen et al., 2019). A study conducted in the Himalayas found microplastics in the air—even in remote, high-altitude villages (Napias et al., 2020).
- Everyday Products: That face scrub or toothpaste you use might contain tiny plastic beads. And when you wash your clothes, one load of synthetic fabric releases millions of plastic fibers into the water (Napper & Thompson, 2016).
Why Does This Matter?
Because plastic doesn’t just pass through us—it lingers. Research suggests that microplastics can trigger inflammation, hormonal imbalances, and even cell damage (Wright & Kelly, 2017). Some scientists believe they might play a role in fertility issues, heart disease, and cancer (Prata et al., 2020). And here’s where it gets even more complicated:
The One Health Connection
Microplastics don’t just affect us; they’re harming animals and ecosystems too. One Health—a framework that looks at human, animal, and environmental health as deeply connected—helps us see the bigger picture:
- Wildlife & Ecosystems: Fish, birds, and even cows in India have been found with plastic in their stomachs. A 2021 study found that over 90% of seabirds have plastic in their digestive systems (Wilcox et al., 2015). If animals are struggling, what does that mean for us?
- Agriculture & Food Security: Microplastics are showing up in farm soils, weakening crops and reducing their nutrition levels (Büks & Kaupenjohann, 2020).
- Superbugs & Disease: Scientists worry that microplastics could be carriers of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, worsening the global fight against superbugs (Arias-Andres et al., 2018).
What Can We Do?
We can’t escape microplastics entirely, but we can reduce our exposure and push for change:
- Drink smarter: Switch to filtered tap water instead of bottled water.
- Eat fresh: The less processed food you consume, the fewer plastics you ingest.
- Wash wisely: Use a microfiber-catching laundry bag to trap plastic fibers from synthetic clothes.
- Speak up: Policies matter. Countries like Canada and the EU are banning certain microplastics. What’s stopping us?
A Shared Future
The plastic crisis isn’t just an environmental problem—it’s a public health emergency. But the good news? If we created this crisis, we can fix it. Every refillable bottle, every plastic-free meal, every policy shift counts.
At InOrder, the Health Systems Institute, we believe that protecting human health starts with protecting our environment. Let’s rethink plastic, together.