Microplastics are tiny plastic particles—less than 5 millimeters in size—that come from the breakdown of larger plastic waste or are manufactured for use in products like food packaging, cosmetics, and cleaners. They are nearly impossible to remove from the environment once released and can carry harmful chemicals wherever they go.

Microplastics have been found virtually everywhere: in oceans, rivers, rainwater, soil, and even the air we breathe. They’ve also been discovered in seafood, salt, produce, bottled and tap water, and even inside the human body—in the lungs, blood, breast milk, and placentas.

Microplastics pose serious health concerns because of their size and chemical makeup. These particles can carry toxic substances such as heavy metals and endocrine-disrupting chemicals, which may enter the body through ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact. Once inside, they can trigger immune responses, cause inflammation, interfere with hormone regulation, and potentially affect organs and tissues over time. While research is ongoing, the presence of microplastics in the bloodstream and vital organs raises serious questions about long-term health impacts.

Microplastics harm ecosystems at every level. In the ocean, they are mistaken for food by fish, birds, and marine mammals, leading to malnutrition, reproductive issues, and death. On land, they disrupt soil quality and water retention, threatening crop production and harming beneficial microorganisms. Microplastics also act as sponges for toxic pollutants, which then spread through food chains. Over time, their accumulation weakens entire ecosystems, reducing biodiversity and damaging the natural systems we depend on for clean air, water, and food.