How Microplastics Ended Up in Your Blood (And Why That’s a Problem)
🚨 Plastic Is No Longer Just an Environmental Issue—It’s a Health Crisis
We all knew plastic pollution was bad for the ocean, the turtles, and the planet. But what if I told you it’s also floating around in your bloodstream?
Scientists recently discovered microplastics in human blood, meaning these tiny plastic particles aren’t just passing through us—they’re circulating in our veins, reaching our organs, and potentially affecting our health.
What does that mean for us? We’re about to find out.
🌍 First, How Did Microplastics Even Get Into Our Bodies?
Microplastics are everywhere—and I mean everywhere. They’re not just in the ocean; they’re in the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink.
These microscopic plastic particles come from three main sources:
1. The Air We Breathe (Yes, You’re Inhaling Plastic Right Now)
Plastic is so lightweight that it breaks down into microscopic pieces and floats in the air. Every time we breathe indoors, we’re likely inhaling tiny plastic fibers that shed from our clothing, furniture, carpets, and household dust.
🔹 Where it’s coming from:
- Synthetic fabrics (polyester, nylon, fleece—your yoga pants are shedding)
- Home furnishings (couches, curtains, carpets, and even mattresses)
- Electronics & packaging (plastics release tiny fragments over time)
🔹 What you can do:
✅ Use an air purifier with a HEPA filter to trap airborne microplastics
✅ Opt for natural fiber clothing & home materials (cotton, wool, hemp, linen)
2. The Water We Drink (Even Tap Water Isn’t Safe)
Did you know 93% of bottled water tested contained microplastics? And tap water isn’t much better—studies show that microplastics have been found in drinking water across the world.
🔹 Where it’s coming from:
- Plastic water bottles (shed plastic particles into the water, especially when exposed to heat)
- Tap water contamination (plastic pipes, pollution in water sources)
- Ice cubes & restaurant drinks (yes, even your “iced oat matcha” isn’t safe)
🔹 What you can do:
✅ Get a high-quality water filter that removes microplastics
✅ Ditch plastic bottles and switch to stainless steel or glass
3. The Food We Eat (Plastic Seasoning, Anyone?)
You might think plastic in your food only comes from packaging, but that’s just the beginning. Studies have found plastic particles in fish, salt, honey, and even vegetables.
🔹 Where it’s coming from:
- Seafood (fish and shellfish consume microplastics in the ocean)
- Plastic food packaging (microscopic plastic flakes off into food)
- Processed foods (manufacturing processes expose food to plastic dust)
🔹 What you can do:
✅ Eat fresh, unpackaged foods whenever possible
✅ Avoid plastic-wrapped produce & processed foods
🩸 Scientists Just Found Microplastics in Human Blood—Here’s Why That’s Terrifying
For the first time, scientists have confirmed microplastics in human blood. A 2022 study found plastic particles in 77% of people tested.
This means microplastics aren’t just passing through us—they’re circulating in our bloodstream and reaching our organs.
What Does This Mean for Our Health?
🔬 Scientists are still figuring out the long-term effects, but early research suggests microplastics in the body could:
🚨 Trigger inflammation & immune responses
🚨 Mess with hormones (endocrine disruption)
🚨 Act as carriers for toxic chemicals
🚨 Accumulate in organs and tissues over time
🛑 The Hidden Risks of Plastic in Our Blood
Microplastics don’t just sit there quietly—they come loaded with harmful chemicals that may increase health risks.
💀 They’re linked to cancer – Some plastic additives are known carcinogens.
🧬 They might damage DNA – Long-term exposure could impact cell health.
🧠 They could cross into the brain – Some studies suggest microplastics might be able to cross the blood-brain barrier (yikes).
Basically, we have plastic in our veins, and we have no idea what it’s doing to us yet.
🛠️ How to Reduce Your Exposure (Before We All Become Walking Plastic Bottles)
Microplastics are everywhere, but there are ways to limit how much you’re exposed to.
1. Filter Your Water (Tap & Bottled)
🚱 Invest in a water filter that removes microplastics
🚱 Say no to bottled water (it’s literally microplastic soup)
2. Improve Your Indoor Air Quality
🌬 Use a HEPA filter air purifier to trap airborne plastics
🌬 Vacuum with a HEPA filter to reduce microplastic dust buildup
3. Eat More Fresh, Unprocessed Foods
🥗 Choose whole, unpackaged foods over heavily processed, plastic-wrapped ones
🥗 Store food in stainless steel or glass instead of plastic containers
4. Wear & Buy Fewer Synthetic Fabrics
👕 Switch to natural fibers like organic cotton, linen, and wool
👕 Use a washing machine filter to catch plastic microfibers
🌎 Why This Is Bigger Than Just You
If microplastics are already in our bloodstreams, organs, and babies before they’re even born, we’re facing a serious public health crisis.
Reducing plastic pollution isn’t just about saving the environment anymore—it’s about saving ourselves.
And that’s why at Cribbie, we’re on a mission to cut plastic out of food storage. Because if we can reduce unnecessary plastic in our homes, kitchens, and everyday lives, we can slow the plastic invasion before it gets even worse.
🚀 Ready to store your food without microplastic contamination? Check out our stainless steel food storage solutions here.
Your body (and your future self) will thank you. ♻️🔥