For years, scientists debated whether microplastics could enter the human body. Today, we know they can. The question is now what happens next.
In 2022, researchers in the Netherlands detected microplastics in human blood for the first time. Since then, particles have appeared in lungs, livers, placentas, and even breast milk. Plastics are not confined to the digestive tract. They can cross biological barriers once thought impenetrable.
From gut to blood to organs
Microplastics can pass through the gut into the bloodstream. Once there, they can lodge in tissues and organs. They may cause inflammation, oxidative stress, and cellular damage. Nanoplastics, smaller than a micrometer, are particularly concerning. Their size allows them to penetrate membranes and enter cells.
Animal studies show links to changes in metabolism, immune responses, and reproduction. Human impacts are still being studied, but the presence of microplastics in placentas raises urgent questions about fetal exposure.
A healthcare blind spot
There are no standard tests for microplastics in patients. Unlike cholesterol or heavy metals, doctors cannot track levels in the body. This creates a blind spot in diagnosis and treatment.
If research confirms links to chronic conditions such as heart disease, infertility, or cancer, the lack of early monitoring could have serious consequences. Waiting for certainty before acting could be costly.
Breaking through
Plastic was once celebrated for breaking barriers in industry. Now its smallest fragments break barriers inside the body.
The discovery of microplastics in the bloodstream is more than a data point. It shows that what we create and discard moves through the most intimate systems of life. The boundary between “out there” and “inside us” no longer exists. Responsibility starts here.
