There's Probably Plastic in Your Bloodstream

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For the first time in history, microplastics have been found in human blood. Take your time and read that again if you need to process it.

If you don't know what microplastics are, they’re basically the colored specks that line beaches where the sand used to be. Most of them are invisible to the human eye, but not all. They are tiny bits of plastic particles about 5mm long or less, resulting from plastic in the ocean breaking down. Now, we know that plastic never entirely breaks down. In fact, the first piece of plastic ever made still exists on Earth today. Instead of simply breaking down like an organic substance, plastic breaks apart into tiny pieces. Another huge contributor to microplastics is the small plastic microbeads in face cleansers, which get into our waterways and go straight into the ocean. Fortunately, these microbeads were banned in the U.S. in 2015 because of how harmful they are to the oceans, but of course, we can't remove the ones that made it to the sea. The worst part about microplastics is that they are nearly impossible to eliminate. As a result of their size, they are easily mistaken for sand and food for aquatic life. Many animals, including sea turtles, dolphins, and fish, think this plastic is food, eat it, and die.

Now, the problem isn’t only aquatic animals' lives—but our own. We are literally made of plastic. A recent study found microplastics in the blood of 17 people out of 22 total participants. The plastic found in the participants was tested and revealed three different types: Polyethylene terephthalate from water bottles, polystyrene from food packaging, and polyethylene from plastic bags. How exactly did the plastic get there? Plastic is everywhere. Our iced coffee goes in plastic cups, our plastic-packaged food into plastic bags, shampoo into plastic bottles, plastic toothbrushes, plastic water bottles, and plastic straws. The list could go on forever. Most of the plastic we use doesn’t just leave us and go on its merry way to the landfill or ocean. If you drink out of plastic water bottles or microwave your food in a plastic bowl, you are most likely eating some of it; the food and water absorb the plastic and pass it onto you. Plastic can also enter your body through the air we breathe and the polyester we wear. AKA, plastic clothing, water, toothpaste, and lip gloss.

According to Professor Dick Vethaak at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, babies who drink out of plastic milk bottles “swallow millions of microplastic particles a day.”

So, what does this mean for our health and future? While scientists are still researching the issue, they know it’s not good news. This means that microplastics can spread to the organs in our body, too. Just like when we swallow a pill, it goes into our bloodstream and straight to our organs. However, unlike ibuprofen, plastics do not dissolve but instead lodge into our organs, thus causing severe damage to our cells. According to The Guardian, “microplastics cause damage to human cells in the laboratory and air pollution particles are already known to enter the body and cause millions of early deaths a year.” While research is still in the beginning stages due to this being such a new discovery, scientists are continuing to study what the effects will exactly be. So far, they know that plastic can attach to red blood cells and “limit their ability to transport oxygen.” In pregnant women, microplastics can be passed onto the fetus and into their organs. 

Plastic isn’t going anywhere; it is produced every second. The best way to prevent more microplastics from entering the landfill, the oceans, and our body is to limit our plastic use and do our best to recycle. Recycling is the easiest way to make a difference. You know the drill: paper in the yellow bin, plastic and metals in blue. Taking the time to recycle instead of throwing plastic in the garbage will make a difference. However, keep in mind there are some things you cannot recycle, such as plastic bags, plastic straws, and plastic utensils. Unfortunately, even if we throw these into the bin, they will get dumped in a landfill or the ocean, and someday they might even come back to us in our bloodstream.

If you’re looking for inspiration to limit your plastic use, Activist Kate Nelson (@plasticfreemermaid on Instagram) gives excellent advice on how to replace the plastic in our lives with eco-friendly options. She hasn’t used plastic in over ten years, proving that we truly can live plastic-free with enough effort.  

Plastic is toxic, inorganic, and terrifying. It’s scary how much of our everyday lives revolve around it. With this new information, we have to do better. We have to recycle. We have to bring our own bags, cups, and straws because not only could it save our planet—but our lives.

Strike Out,

Emma Saunders

Boca Raton

Emma Saunders is a Content Writer and Photographer for Strike Magazine FAU. In her free time, she enjoys saving the planet, drinking iced coffee, and listening to Red (Taylor’s Version only) on repeat. You can reach her at emmarose3900@icloud.com