Gina Kalkar

After the invention of synthetic plastic polymers in 1907, microplastics became abundant worldwide shortly thereafter. Researchers are investigating how microplastics impact human health due to their ubiquity, resistance, chemical composition, and durability. Although their adversity on human health is not well understood, it is known that microplastics can serve as vectors of transport for common toxins found in plastic. The most common additives of concern in synthetic polymers include bisphenol A, phthalates, flame retardants, and heavy metals. These toxins may enter the body by three primary pathways: through the skin, upon inhalation, and when ingested. Once these chemicals enter the body, they are absorbed through a process called leaching, which is the leaking of toxins out of the plastic material. Evidence suggests that bisphenol A, phthalates, flame retardants, and heavy metals can create adverse health effects in high doses since they serve as endocrine-disrupting hormones, causing birth defects, cancer, and an impaired immunity. These compounds disrupt the endocrine system by acting as molecular hormone mimics to alter the homeostasis of a balanced endocrine system. A person’s age, sex, dosage, and nutritional state depend on the toxicity of these chemicals. Although microplastics are ubiquitous, the average exposure level of microplastics is not known to cause harm in humans. More plastic production could increase the ubiquity of microplastics, however, thus increasing exposure. Mechanisms of reducing microplastics are still being discovered. Currently, the most plausible solution is to educate the public on reducing the usage of synthetic plastic.