The first part in this two part series established what microplastics are. In this second part we are looking at whether they are harmful to humans, and if so, should we be worried? Microplastics are very likely present in our bodies. Dr Dušan Materić of the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research says ‘We do have plastics in us … I think that is safe to assume’. Plastic is closely tied to our food and drink. Research by Retail Economics found that 70% of UK food packagin

Latest research shows that patients who suffer heart attacks have more micro and nanoplastics in their blood. When we talk about plastic and health, the conversation usually revolves around the stomach and digestion. But microplastics don't stay in the gut. Nanoplastics are small enough to pass through the lungs or gut into the bloodstream, where they can travel throughout the body, and they have been found in the blood vessels supplying the heart. The first big warning came

Microplastics, tiny fragments of plastic measuring less than five millimetres in length, are everywhere. They are in our clothes, our homes, and even the food we eat. Small enough to go unnoticed, and near impossible to clean up once they have entered the environment, they have infiltrated the food chain at every level. The main route via which microplastics enter the environment is through our waterways. Water degrades large plastic waste into tiny fragments, which are quic

In January 2026, the Guardian reported that the ‘bombshell’ research paper claiming to have found microplastics in the human brain has been strongly refuted by academics, due to what they call insufficient ‘methodological’ precautions taken by the original research team to arrive at their conclusion. The article concluded, with interviews from experts, that the presence of microplastics in the human body is not fully proved, but according to some experts, very likely to be pr

Disinformation and the ongoing concerns of greenwashing continues to present as a key barrier to transitioning to greener and more sustainable ways of living. This is certainly true of the plastics industry. Plastic use in healthcare is undoubtedly widespread and we’re often led to believe that plastic is the only solution. We all know that plastics are bad for the environment, but could this widespread application also be contributing to ill-health? Initiatives that promote

Fatty liver disease, also known as Metabolic Dysfunction Associated Steatotic Liver Disease, is caused by a build up of fat in the liver and affects one third of the adult global population. Many factors contribute to fatty liver disease including diet, obesity, insulin resistance, genes, and gut dysbiosis. There are four stages of fatty liver disease: Steatosis: Accumulation of fat, with no damage to the liver Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis: Accumulation o

Flexible plastic spout pouches are the most widely used packaging for baby food globally, used by 92% of parents in the UK with children between 0-3. The polyethylene inner layer, which comes into direct contact with the food, has been found to be a source of microplastics and plastic-associated chemicals. Greenpeace commissioned the testing of two popular baby food products from Nestle and Danone to assess the levels of microplastics and plastic associated chemicals in both

“Take a deep breath. You have just inhaled two to eight microplastic particles”. That is how the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) opens its new report on Microplastics. Microplastic pollution puts agricultural soil, food security, and human health at risk. The report finds that the UK still has no cohesive national strategy, no legally binding reduction targets, and no regulatory limits on the primary pathways through which microplastics enter our environment. Here is ho

Plastic pollution is usually pictured as something outside the body: bottles on beaches, fragments floating in oceans or waste accumulating in landfill. Increasingly, however, scientists are finding evidence of plastic somewhere much closer to home - inside us. As plastic breaks down, it forms microscopic particles known as microplastics and even smaller nanoplastics. Humans can encounter these particles through food, drinking water and the air we breathe. Researchers have no

Many of us rely on ready meals to feed ourselves and our families as they’re a convenient way of eating our favourite dishes. Chowing down on these meals regularly can have an adverse effect on your health, but not in the way you might think. Though there’s conflicting evidence on exactly how much is released, a body of research is warning of the plastics that leach into the food from these containers, particularly when they’re heated in the microwave. Fatty food and acidic f

Netflix’s documentary, The Plastic Detox, explores potential health impacts of microplastic exposure in everyday life, focusing on endocrine-disrupting chemicals and fertility. Unlike other plastic documentaries, this one gives an intimate insight into plastic’s effect on human health in their home and town, rather than on plastic pollution in the oceans. It highlights the scarily vast and extensive amount of plastic that is in our daily lives. From the minute you wake up an

In 2026, The Big Plastic Count estimated that the UK bins 82 billion pieces of plastic each year, with over half, 59%, being burnt in the UK. So how much are we consuming? The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) published a report in 2019 based on research that estimated humans ingest around 5g of plastic weekly, a credit card’s worth, equating to around 50 plastic bags annually. A shocking number, shared by news outlets globally, but how true is it? Microplastics are particles

There is considerable scientific consensus that plastic is found in the human body. However, researchers have called some of these studies into question. When the media report on this kind of scientific disagreement, they often use dramatic headlines that imply that an entire field of research has been undermined. But is this really the way that science works? Microplastics are found in the air we breathe and the food and drink we consume; therefore, it is no surprise that so

Menstrual products are essential for health, hygiene, and wellbeing, enabling millions of people to manage menstruation safely and participate fully in daily life. However, while these products provide important benefits, many commonly used disposable options also have significant environmental impacts, particularly through plastic pollution. Disposable menstrual products such as sanitary pads, tampons, and their applicators are often made from a combination of cotton, wood p

Perhaps you’re thinking oh - plastics aren’t my problem. Turtles getting trapped is sad, but I’m safe. You’d be wrong. The idea that plastic pollution only affects wildlife is a dangerous misconception. In reality, humans are part of the marine food web, and we’re already consuming the consequences of plastic waste. Microplastics - particles smaller than 5mm - are now found in 99% of seafood. Shrimp, mussels, fish and even sea salt have tested positive for plastic contamina

Ready meals have been around since the 1950s. Yet the plastic packaging used in them is harmful to the planet and to people. Greenpeace’s recent analysis of 24 research papers in leading scientific journals found that plastic packaging used for ready meals and takeaways poses a potentially serious risk for human health. The packaging, especially when heated, can release large amounts of microplastics and chemicals into the food that will be eaten. One study detected 326,000

In the United Kingdom, we purchase an estimated 7.7 billion bottles of water every year. This is partially due to the misconception that bottled water is cleaner and healthier than tap water. New technological developments have allowed scientists to detect and count miniscule plastic particles called nanoplastics in bottled water. These particles are absorbed when we drink water from plastic bottles and may impact our health. What are Nanoplastics? Nanoplastics are tiny plas

Take a look around on a busy day. Parks, offices, cars, backpacks. You'll spot them everywhere: plastic water bottles. They're convenient, sure, but that convenience comes with a cost we don't always see. Reducing plastic bottle use and choosing tap water instead is one of the simplest and most powerful changes we can make for both the planet and our health. Let's start with the environmental side. "Around 117,000 plastic bottles will have been used by the time you finish re

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a large and diverse group of synthetic chemicals that have been widely used for decades. They are found in many everyday products, including water-repellent clothing, food packaging, furniture, and nonstick cookware. These chemicals do not break down in the environment, and once released, they can bioaccumulate for years or even decades, contaminating soil, water, and wildlife for generations unless active measures are taken to r

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill will reach the report stage in the House of Lords on 24th February. Every day, an estimated 3 million cigarette filters are littered in the UK. This means that since the first reading of the Bill in parliament on the 20th March 2024, approximately 1.8 billion cigarette filters have been dropped onto UK streets and into waterways. With this bill the UK government could reduce plastic pollution and improve public health by answering the call from re