Images Show Future Effects of Microplastics on Humans

Online searches for microplastics and information about how they affect humans and what they do to our bodies are reaching an all-time high. There’s ongoing research into the effects of microplastics on humans that has found links between their presence and conditions such as diabetes and infertility.

Nano and microplastics seem to be everywhere and studies have found particles contaminating human body parts including brains, kidneys, and placentas. There are growing concerns about what microplastics do to the body and how prolonged exposure may affect humans in the years to come.

To visualize how ongoing exposure to microplastics may affect humans in the future we’ve produced images predicting what we might look like. These show the potential effects from low, mid, and high levels of microplastic exposure.

Microplastics are extremely small plastic particles that are less than five millimeters long. They’re produced as consumer and commercial products containing plastic break down. Microplastics are more common in our environment than ever before and found in rivers, oceans, and soil. They’re not biodegradable so they stay in the environment for hundreds and thousands of years.

Humans regularly consume and inhale microplastics unaware of it. Some studies suggest we even absorb microplastics through our skin. There’s ongoing research into the effects of microplastics on humans, yet current studies highlight potentially harmful impacts.

Last month research showed the level of microplastics was rising in human brains, with an increase of roughly 50 percent between 2016 and 2024.

Microplastics effects on human bodies are still unknown with research ongoing. However, the amount of exposure to microplastics could impact the severity of its impact on the body. These are the potential effects microplastics could have on the body for someone who experiences low, mid, and high levels of exposure.

Prolonged and consistent microplastic exposure could have the most severe impact on humans. This could occur due to the working environment, drinking poor quality drinking water, or constantly using synthetic fabrics in the home and clothing.

High levels of exposure to microplastics may present as:

• Chronic skin inflammation, rashes, or eczema-like conditions.
• More intense signs of premature aging.
• Blue or purplish skin tones on lips/fingertips (due to reduced lung function).
• Slower reflexes, memory problems, and mental confusion due to possible microplastics in the brain. Potential hand tremors or fine motor difficulties.
• Unexplained weight gain or loss, irregular menstrual cycles.
• Hair thinning or loss due to endocrine disruption.
• Skin discoloration, hard lumps, or lesions that don’t heal properly could indicate cellular damage.

Regular consumption of processed food and/or seafood and using or wearing synthetic fabrics commonly may lead to a mid-level exposure to microplastics. People living in areas of high air pollution could also be at risk of mid-level exposure.

The effects of mid-level exposure to microplastics might present as:

• Increased levels of skin irritation, alongside signs of premature ageing such as fine lines and wrinkles due to increased oxidative stress.
• Red and irritated eyes from exposure to microplastics in air pollution.
• Mild breathing difficulties such as coughing and wheezing.
• Hormonal disruption from microplastic chemicals, which leads to weight fluctuation and further digestive discomfort.
• More persistent fatigue and brain fog.

Food, drink, and the general environment can lead to a low-level of exposure to microplastics. Most symptoms are likely to be internal at this level and might not be visible.

Low levels of microplastic exposure could present as:

• Mild skin changes with some evidence of dryness, redness and irritation caused by microplastics interacting with endocrine disruptors.
• Microplastics could lead to gut microbiome changes, which may cause bloating, stomach discomfort, and irregular digestion.
• Mild fatigue caused by low-level inflammation.

Microplastics seem to be everywhere. It may be impossible to avoid them but there are a few actions you can take to try and reduce your exposure:

• Avoid single-use plastics – especially food and drink containers. Swap processed foods for organic and whole foods. Even grow your own food if possible.
• Filter water and avoid single-use plastic water bottles or drinks containers.
• Minimize your use of synthetic textiles like nylon and polyester both for clothing and home furnishings. Switch out for natural fabrics.
• Check the labels of cosmetics for any hidden plastics and choose those in glass jars rather than plastic containers where available. Go for naturally formulated products.
• Cut back on how much seafood you eat or by local and sustainable produce that’s not packaged in plastic.
• Consider your cooking – use wooden spoons and glass chopping boards rather than plastic alternatives and be mindful of plastic utensils and reheating food in plastic containers.

Mark Hall, plastic waste expert at BusinessWaste.co.uk, comments: “While much of the research into the effects of microplastics on humans is in the early stages, it’s clear to see there are many worrying signs of how this pollution might affect us. The imagery we have generated is based on the findings of these studies and shows alarming results, but we hope the images will make people sit up and pay attention to the larger issue.

“Unfortunately, microplastics are abundant in our environment, contaminating everything from the air we breathe to the food we eat. While you can reduce your exposure to certain products, we’ll never fully face the problem until we begin to tackle plastic waste as a larger issue, and look to reduce our reliance on the material.”