/On Microplastics

Humans have a long history of unknowingly causing themselves harm. Asbestos and leaded gasoline, once widespread, were eventually banned due to their carcinogenic properties. Tobacco smoking has been ingrained in human culture for thousands of years, despite its well-known health risks. Now, a little over a century since their introduction, commercially produced plastics have become inextricably linked to modern life. The term "microplastics" was coined in 2004, but the presence of small plastic debris in surface waters, in the stomachs of birds, and in fish was documented in scientific papers as far back as the 1960s and 1970s¹. This raises an important question: what are the effects of microplastics on humans?

If you search for research papers on the topic, you'll find terms like "could," "may," and "has the potential to" scattered throughout. While studies suggest that exposure to microplastics correlates with increased risks of cancer, inflammation, reproductive toxicity, and other adverse health effects², there's still a lack of solid evidence establishing causality.

Why is it so difficult to confirm a direct link? One reason could be that there’s no control group. Plastic is inescapable. Our planet is blanketed in tire dust³, our water systems are polluted with fibers from synthetic clothing⁴, and our air carries plastic particles⁵. Microplastics have been found on the peaks of Mount Everest and in the depths of the Mariana Trench⁶. They exist in our brains, blood, and even within our cells⁷. Even fetuses have been found to contain microplastics before birth⁸. If it exists on Earth, there’s a good chance it has plastic in it.

Asbestos exposure often takes decades to manifest symptoms, and lead poisoning can go unnoticed for a long time unless the source is directly identified. How long, then, will it take for us to understand the true dangers of plastic exposure?

Now let's flip the question: could the ubiquity of microplastics actually suggest they are relatively benign? Plastics are known for their stability and chemical inertness—traits that make them so widely used in the first place. If they are chemically inert, shouldn’t they just remain in the body without causing harm? Plastics can be reduced, managed, and recycled, but elimination isn’t feasible. In the best-case scenario, microplastics might have no effects on humans and could simply remain in our bodies without consequence. According to Poison Control, "There is no conclusive evidence that microplastics cause cancer or other serious diseases in humans⁹." However, it's clear that there is no scenario in which ingesting plastic particles is beneficial.

Overall, plastics have provided significant benefits to humanity - sterile food, water, and medical containers alone have helped prevent countless diseases. However, the trade-off must be carefully considered. This issue extends beyond human health: microplastics pose serious risks to animals and the environment. The root problem is pollution - our reliance on plastic has led to a pervasive environmental crisis. We need to address our consumption and waste habits collectively by reducing pollution at its source, promoting sustainable practices, and keeping the Earth clean. Once microplastics are confirmed to be harmful to humans and the environment - which seems increasingly likely - then we must rethink how we use plastics and take greater responsibility for our impact on the planet.