Plastics have transformed modern life, offering convenience, affordability, and durability. But the same qualities that make plastic so useful have created a slow-moving catastrophe—one that’s no longer just about littered beaches or floating trash islands. The plastic crisis is now an inside job.
We’re not just talking about bottles in landfills or bags in the ocean. We’re talking about invisible particles—so small they can travel through your bloodstream, lodge in your organs, and even cross into your brain. These particles are in the air you breathe, the food you eat, the clothes you wear, and the products you use every day.
And now, with new research detecting plastics in our arteries, brains, and even placentas, the message is undeniable: plastic pollution isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s a human health emergency.
The Latest Science: Plastics in the Brain?!
In a groundbreaking new study published this February in Nature Medicine, researchers at the University of New Mexico discovered microplastics in 100% of the human brain samples they analyzed—a stunning revelation that underscores how deeply plastic pollution has infiltrated the human body.1
Additionally shocking is the average amount of microplastics researchers found: 7.2 micrograms of plastic per milligram of brain tissue, which translates to nearly 7 grams per brain—about the weight of a hearty plastic spoon.
The study examined 47 brain samples collected from deceased individuals in the United States. The plastic particles were detected across multiple brain regions, including the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum—areas critical for decision-making, memory, and motor control.
Using advanced scientific methods like spectrometry and microscopy, scientists were able to identify several types of plastic, with polyethylene (PE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) being the most common.
Perhaps most unsettling, the data suggest that microplastics can cross the blood–brain barrier—a biological shield long thought to protect the brain from harmful toxins. This means that what we inhale, eat, and drink could be making its way into our central nervous system, where it may trigger inflammation, oxidative stress, and neuronal dysfunction.
We already know microplastics can inflame the lungs and irritate the gut. Now, researchers are sounding alarms about possible links to cognition, memory, emotional regulation, and neurodegenerative diseases—especially with long-term, cumulative exposure.
New Research, Growing Concerns
The health risks of plastic exposure are no longer hypothetical. A wave of recent studies is shedding light on the real—and sometimes irreversible—ways that microplastics and nanoplastics may be impacting the human body.
🫀 Heart Health
A 2024 study in The New England Journal of Medicine examined arterial plaque from surgical patients and found microplastics in over half the samples tested. Individuals with these plastic particles lodged in their arteries were 4.5 times more likely to suffer a heart attack, stroke, or early death compared to those without detectable plastic.2 The researchers hypothesize that the plastics may fuel inflammation and destabilize plaque, increasing the risk of rupture.
👶 Placental Transfer
In a separate 2024 investigation, scientists found microplastics in every single placenta they tested.3 The placenta is an organ that forms during pregnancy to provide oxygen and nutrients to the growing baby. It also helps remove waste from the baby’s blood and acts as a barrier—though, as we’re learning, not a perfect one. The presence of plastic in this vital organ suggests it may be able to cross into the developing fetus, raising red flags about possible interference with development, immunity, and long-term health outcomes.
🔬 Cellular Disruption
Nanoplastics—smaller and more invasive than microplastics—pose unique dangers. Their microscopic size allows them to penetrate individual cells, disrupt mitochondrial function, and trigger the formation of reactive chemical species.45 One study even showed that polystyrene-based nanoplastics can catalyze the formation of manganese oxide inside the body—a reaction previously undocumented in biological systems.6
The Problem Isn’t Just Outside—It’s in Our Homes
While images of ocean garbage patches make headlines, the most immediate plastic threat is much closer: it’s in your air, your food, your water, and even your bed.
Everyday actions like microwaving food in plastic containers, wearing synthetic fabrics, or using plastic cooking utensils can expose you to microscopic plastic fragments. Indoors, these particles accumulate in the air and dust, especially in poorly ventilated areas.
You may already know that plastic packaging and polyester clothing shed microplastics. But did you know:
- Processed foods contain higher levels of microplastics than fresh foods?
- Plastic “air purifiers” can actually release microplastics into the air?
- Even a single slice of processed cheese may carry plastic particles?
There’s no way to completely avoid plastics—but there are steps you can take to protect yourself.
Seven Practical Ways to Cut Plastic Exposure
The science is clearer than ever: plastic isn’t just a pollution problem—it’s a health hazard. While large-scale solutions will require legislative action and systemic change, individuals still have the power to reduce their exposure to microplastics and nanoplastics in meaningful ways. By rethinking everyday habits and purchases, you can protect yourself and your family while supporting a shift toward safer, more sustainable practices.
- Ditch single-use plastics
Avoid plastic bags, straws, utensils, and packaging whenever possible. Bring your own reusable shopping bags, and containers. Every small choice adds up. Bottled water is particularly full of microplastics so try to avoid it as much as possible, especially if it has been sitting out in the sun. - Rethink food storage
Switch from plastic containers to glass or stainless steel, especially when storing or heating food. Heat can accelerate the leaching of harmful chemicals from plastic into your meals. - Upgrade your cookware
Trade out plastic spatulas, spoons, and utensils for safer alternatives like wood, metal, or food-grade silicone. These options are more durable and far less likely to degrade over time. - Wear natural fibers
Choose clothing and textiles made from cotton, bamboo, linen, or wool. Synthetic fabrics like polyester, nylon, and acrylic shed microplastics with every wear and wash, contributing to both indoor and outdoor pollution. - Filter your indoor air
Indoor air can contain higher levels of microplastics and nanoplastics than outdoor air. A high-performance air purifier—like those from Austin Air—can significantly reduce airborne particles. Our medical-grade HEPA and activated carbon filters capture contaminants down to the tiniest sizes. Plus, our all-metal construction means no off-gassing or plastic breakdown from the unit itself. - Choose truly sustainable products
Look beyond greenwashed marketing. Terms like “mass-balance recycling” often obscure continued reliance on fossil-fuel-based plastics. Support companies that prioritize full transparency, meaningful environmental commitments, and safer materials from the ground up. - Eat Fresh Food Whenever Possible
Microplastics inevitably turn up in higher amounts of processed foods, than fresh foods. This is likely due to the machinery used for processing, as well as the packaging. If you can, opt for fresh foods.
Why Austin Air Is Different
When it comes to reducing plastic exposure indoors, the air purifier you choose matters. Many units on the market are made of plastic, which heat and wear can cause to break down over time, releasing microplastics right back into the air.
At Austin Air, we take a different approach. Our purifiers are built with solid steel construction—no plastic housing, no off-gassing, and no risk of contributing to the very problem we’re helping you solve. Our medical-grade HEPA filters capture particles as small as 0.1 microns, including microplastics, nanoplastics, and other ultrafine pollutants. Paired with activated carbon, these filters also remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and toxic gases commonly found in household air.
If you’re serious about clean air, you need a system that won’t become part of the problem.
A Call for Conscientious Living
Another way that Austin Air shows we are different is through our deep commitment to public health education and scientific literacy. We’ve covered microplastics (and nanoparticles) in-depth on our blog and recently partnered with Environmental Medicine Education International for a three-part webinar series titled Invisible Enemies. Microplastics and their effects on the immune system were key topics in both Day 1: Immune Dysfunction Triggers and Day 2: Microplastics, Mitochondria & the Immune System—highlighting the urgency of this growing threat.
This edition of our blog is one more example of how we’re looking out for your health. Plastics have helped shape the modern world, but their legacy is catching up to us—literally. While research continues to evolve, one thing is certain: minimizing plastic in your life isn’t just good for the planet. It’s good for you.
You don’t need to be perfect. But being intentional—about what you buy, what you breathe, and what you bring into your home—can make a meaningful difference.
REFERENCES
1 Nihart AJ, Garcia MA, El Hayek E, et al. (2025 February 3). Bioaccumulation of microplastics in decedent human brains. Nat Med. 31, 1114–1119. doi: 10.1038/s41591-024-03453-1.
2 Marfella R, Prattichizzo F, Sardu C, et al. (2024 March 6). Microplastics and nanoplastics in atheromas and cardiovascular events. NEJM. 390(10):900-910. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2309822.
3 Cassella, C. (2024, March 6). Microplastics Found in Every Human Placenta Tested, Study Finds. ScienceAlert. https://www.sciencealert.com/microplastics-found-in-every-human-placenta-tested-study-finds.
4 ter Halle A and Ghiglione JF. (2021 October 22). Nanoplastics: A Complex, Polluting Terra Incognita. Envi Sci & Techn. 55(21):14466–14469. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.1c04142.
5 Sharma VK, Ma X, Lichtfouse E,et al. (2022 November 9). Nanoplastics are potentially more dangerous than microplastics. Environ Chem Lett. 21:1933–1936. doi: 10.1007/s10311-022-01539-1.
6 Gao Z, Chou P-I, Liu J,et al. (2022 December 27). Oxidative Roles of Polystyrene-Based Nanoplastics in Inducing Manganese Oxide Formation under Light Illumination. ACS Nano.16 (12), 20238-20250. doi: 10.1021/acsnano.2c05803.
