WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Microplastics have been found in oceans, rivers, soil, and even the air we breathe. Recent studies have detected microplastics in human blood and lung tissue, indicating that these particles can enter our bodies through ingestion and inhalation.

The widespread presence of microplastics poses significant risks to both ecosystems and human health. Dr. Matthew Campen at the University of New Mexico, a leading researcher in this field, emphasizes the gravity of the situation:

“As much press that’s already happened on this topic, I absolutely believe this is the tip of the iceberg kind of stuff.”

Dr. Campen, an inhalation toxicologist, studies the small particles that enter our lungs. He explains that everyday items contain a myriad of chemicals and toxins, including polymers, additives, flame retardants, contaminants, and pesticides. These materials linger for decades, even centuries, breaking down into microscopic nanoparticles small enough to enter our bodies.

“We started scratching the surface, and every time we scratched, something else popped up that was a little more alarming. And not least of which is there are some very, very, very small plastics inside our bodies that probably have not been paid attention to.”

The Scale of the ProblemGlobal Plastic Production: Over 450 million tons of plastic are produced annually.Ocean Pollution: Between 1 and 2 million tons of plastic enter the oceans each year.Microplastic Sources: Approximately 34.8% of microplastics come from synthetic fabrics, and 28.3% from tire wear.Microplastics in Oceans: There are an estimated 51 trillion microplastic particles floating in the world’s oceans.

The Invisible Threat

Nanoplastics, a fraction of the size of a grain of salt, are invisible to the naked eye. Some of these plastics found in our bodies are even tinier than a human cell, about the size of a virus.

“All the talk about microplastics has sort of taken over and ignored the fact that we might not be looking deeply enough.”

Experts believe we are ingesting these plastics through our food supply, including farms, ranches, and even bottled drinks. Dr. Campen suspects that nano plastics might be hijacking their way into our bodies through the fats we absorb in our gut.

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Hazardous Chemicals found in Microplastics:Bisphenol A (BPA): Mimics human hormones; linked to reproductive issues and cancer.Phthalates: Disrupt endocrine function; associated with developmental and reproductive toxicity.Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): Persistent in the environment; linked to cancer, liver damage, and immune system effects.Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs): Cause cancer; affect immune, reproductive, nervous, and endocrine systems.Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs): Carcinogenic; formed during incomplete burning of organic substances.Heavy Metals: Include lead, cadmium, and mercury; cause neurological and developmental problems.Health Impacts

Microplastics have been detected in various parts of the human body:

Blood: Detected in the blood of healthy adults.Lungs: Found in all parts of the human lungs.Placenta: Identified in both maternal and fetal placental tissues.Breast Milk: Found in human breast milk.Organs: Detected in organs such as the liver, kidneys, and heart.

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine analyzed artery-clogging plaques from over 250 patients and found that the presence of microplastics was associated with a significantly higher risk of heart attack, stroke, and death.

“There is the potential for these plastics to cause damage to the lining of the stomach and lead to inflammatory changes,” says Dr. Philip Kuriakose, a cancer and blood specialist in Detroit.

Dr. Patrick Grant, Chair of Biomedical Science at FAU’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, notes that while the human body is remarkably resilient, the unknown effects of these synthetic materials are concerning.

“We’re exposing ourselves to these might be things we don’t have an ancient mechanism to deal with, and that’s a little bit of the unknown.”A Path Forward

Plastic pollution is undeniably a problem. Even if we stopped producing the estimated 400 billion tons of plastic each year, the existing plastic in landfills and oceans will continue to decompose for hundreds of years. Dr. Campen stresses the need for government attention and action:

“The advice typically given is about plastic cutting boards and tea bags. Microwaving in plastic is, from our standpoint, fairly trivial, and we really need to get to the point where the government is paying attention.”

The journey to understanding and mitigating the impacts of microplastics is just beginning, but the urgency is clear.

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