How do microplastics get into our bodies and what can we do about it?

Experts say we are ingesting as much as five grams of microplastic a week, and this is likely to be causing a range of health impacts. So how are microplastics making their way into our bodies and what can we do to reduce the risk?

Microplastics primarily enter our bodies through the food we eat, water we drink and air we breathe. These particles, broken down from larger plastic items, have been found in bodily fluids from saliva and blood to sputum and breast milk, along with an array of organs including the liver, kidneys, spleen, brain and even the insides of our bones. A global study and campaign from WWF and the University of Newcastle in Australia revealed we may be ingesting as much as five grams of microplastic a week.

How do these plastics get into our bodies? Here's a breakdown of the most common ways:

1. Ingestion through food and water.

Microplastics are frequently found in seafood, including fish, shellfish and other marine organisms, which are then consumed by humans. Microplastics have also been detected in a wide range of other food products such as table salt, honey and even chicken. Tap and bottled water are also both sources, though the levels vary significantly. Microplastics can leach from plastic food packaging, especially when heated, and from plastic utensils and containers used in food preparation. Plastic tea bags are also considered a source.

2. Inhalation through ambient air, fibres and dust.

Microplastics have been found in both indoor and outdoor air, via synthetic fabrics like polyester that shed microplastic fibres during washing, contributing to airborne microplastics and dust, which we can then inhale.

3. Other routes include some cosmetics, personal care products and in certain medical devices and equipment used in healthcare settings.

Unfortunately, despite widespread global concern, there is little clarity about the impact of these plastics in our body. In early 2025, eight brave volunteers entered a lab in central London, and willingly drank a solution of microplastics in return for a small fee. This study, funded by the Minderoo Foundation, represented the first time such a trial had been carried out with plastics and results are expected to be published later this year.

According to Stephanie Wright, a researcher at Imperial College London who led the trial, many of us are unwittingly carrying out this exact experiment on our own bodies on a daily basis.

"We know that heating and hot water are the worst-case scenarios for plastic ingestion, and that can really facilitate the release of microplastics from commonly used plastic items," says Wright. "So we want to take some of these scenarios and try to see how many of these microplastics are actually absorbed across our gut and back into the blood."

In February 2025, another group of scientists identified microplastics in the brains of human cadavers, including those who had been diagnosed with dementia prior to their death who had up to 10 times as much plastic in their brains compared to those without the condition.

"We were shocked," says Matthew Campen, a University of New Mexico toxicology professor who led the study. "The brain has a notoriously slow clearance mechanism, and in dementia, the blood brain barrier [which is designed to stop foreign objects accessing the brain] is impaired, further aiding uptake of plastics."

So what can we do to minimise exposure?

Experts suggest reducing plastic use, especially in food and drink-related activities. Prioritize glass, metal or silicone containers for storage and avoid microwaving food in plastic or drinking tea made with plastic tea bags.

Opt for filtered tap water over bottled, and be mindful of potential microplastic release from clothing and laundry. Wash clothes less frequently and consider using laundry bags designed to catch microfibers.

Be aware of microplastics in cosmetics and personal care products, opt for plastic-free or microbead-free alternatives.

Maybe most importantly, support policies that aim to reduce plastic production and pollution and organisations campaigning to reduce or eliminate single-plastic use such as the Australian Marine Conservation Society.

To learn more, have a listen to this podcast from The Commons: “Microplastics: How do they get into our bodies; what can we do about it?."

---

References & further reading:

• Top 10 questions on microplastics answered - WWF-Australia | Top 10 questions on microplastics answered | WWF Australia. (n.d.). WWF Australia. https://wwf.org.au/blogs/top-10-questions-on-microplastics-answered/

• 7 ways plastic is poisoning us (that you probably didn’t know). (n.d.). https://www.minderoo.org/stories/seven-ways-plastic-is-poisoning-us/

• Donate to fight plastic pollution - Australian Marine Conservation Society. (2023, May 15). Australian Marine Conservation Society. https://www.marineconservation.org.au/actions/donate-plastic-pollution/

• Cox, D. (2025, July 25). How do the microplastics in our bodies affect our health? https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20250723-how-do-the-microplastics-in-our-bodies-affect-our-health

• Microplastics: how do they get into our bodies? and what we can do about it? - Episode 8. (n.d.). Commons. https://www.thecommons.earth/episode/8-microplastics-how-do-they-get-into-our-bodies-and-what-we-can-do-about-it