Microplastic ingestion: from your plate to your glass, they’re everywhere
Think plastic pollution is just about bottles on the beach? Think again. Every day, you ingest millions of microscopic plastic particles without realizing it. They’re in your air, your food, your drinks – and yes, even in your brain. But now, scientists have developed an affordable, portable tool to detect these invisible toxins.
Should you be worried? Let’s unpack the truth about microplastics – and how you can start protecting yourself.
1. Yes, you're eating plastic (and quite a lot)
Every single week, the average person swallows around 5 grams of microplastics — roughly the weight of a credit card (WWF, 2019). Where do they come from? They’re hiding in bottled water, table salt, seafood, breakfast cereals, and even the air you breathe.
A study by the University of British Columbia found that disposable polystyrene cups release hundreds of millions of microplastic particles when filled with hot liquids. Plastic kettles? Also guilty – millions of particles per liter of water.
So yes, your morning tea might contain more plastic than caffeine.
Key takeaway: You can’t see microplastics, but your body absorbs them anyway.
2. Microplastics that can reach your brain
The problem with micro- and nanoplastics (less than 1 micron)? They’re so small that they can cross biological barriers – including the blood-brain barrier. Researchers have found their presence in human blood, testicles, and even the placenta (Leslie et al., Environment International, 2022).
Even worse: these particles can absorb toxins, turning into real chemical Trojan horses that roam freely throughout your body.
A recent study found that mice given water contaminated with microplastics had detectable plastic particles in their brains in as little as 2 hours.
But the real danger lies in the gradual accumulation of these particles in our nervous system. According to pathologist Lukas Kenner from the Medical University of Vienna, the presence of plastic in the brain could increase the risk of inflammation, neurological disorders, and even neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s.
Unlike other contaminants that the body may eventually eliminate, nanoplastics appear to persist, potentially accelerating the development of such diseases.
“The presence of plastic in the brain could increase the risk of inflammation, neurological disorders, and even neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s.”
Lukas Kenner (Medical University of Vienna)
Key takeaway: These plastics aren’t just swallowed — they invade your organs and may very well contribute to the rise of serious brain-related diseases.
3. A groundbreaking technology to measure the plastic you consume
Until recently, detecting microplastics required expensive laboratories and highly trained specialists. But Dr Tianxi Yang’s team has developed a portable, low-cost device that’s shifting the paradigm.
This 3D-printed tool is a compact box containing a digital microscope and a green LED light. By adding just a few drops of liquid, it instantly detects the amount of microplastics present using fluorescent tagging.
What makes it revolutionary:
- Each test costs just 1.5 cents
- Results in just a few minutes
- Operates with a basic smartphone
Key takeaway: Measuring plastic pollution no longer requires a high-tech lab — anyone, anywhere can now track their microplastic exposure, affordably and in real time.
4. Why this marks a major turning point in the fight against plastic pollution
Detecting microplastics has never been an easy task. Until recently, analyzing these tiny particles required highly specialized lab equipment, making monitoring both expensive and out of reach for most people and businesses. But now, thanks to advances like the portable technology developed by the University of British Columbia, it’s finally possible to measure their presence quickly and affordably.
But that begs the question: how did researchers and industry professionals measure these particles before?
4.1. Traditional methods: accurate, but reserved for experts
Before the emergence of these more accessible technologies, companies and labs relied on advanced techniques to identify and quantify microplastics in water, air, and food. The three main approaches were:
- Vibrational Spectroscopy: Techniques like Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy allow identification of the polymer type, particle size, and number of microplastics in a sample. These methods are particularly effective for particles between 1 and 5,000 microns.
- Thermal Analysis Methods: Gas Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) is used to analyze the chemical composition of plastics and determine their mass fraction within a sample.
- Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM): When combined with Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), this technique enables detailed analysis of the shape and composition of microplastic particles.
These methods, while extremely precise, require costly equipment and highly trained personnel—limiting their use to specialized laboratories and industries that can absorb these costs.
4.2. Standards guiding microplastic detection
As environmental and public health concerns have grown, international standards have been put in place to help harmonize microplastic analysis across various sectors:
- ISO 24187:2023 : Lays out general principles for analyzing microplastics in environmental matrices..
- ISO 16094-2 & 16094-3 : Define specific requirements for analyzing microplastics in drinking water using spectroscopic and thermal analysis techniques.
- ISO 4484-2:2023 : Targeted at the textile industry, this standard sets the framework for quantifying plastic microfibers released from synthetic clothing.
These standards help food, beverage, and textile companies ensure product quality and comply with emerging regulations – such as the REACH restriction on intentionally added microplastics or the European Drinking Water Directive.
4.3. Why portable detection technology is a game changer
Until now, microplastic detection has been a slow, expensive process: only accessible to companies with the resources to fund complex analyses. But the portable tool developed by Dr. Tianxi Yang’s team is changing the game:
- It delivers results in minutes, rather than days in the lab.
- It only requires a tiny water sample to provide reliable data.
- It’s far more affordable, with an estimated cost of just 1.5 cents per test.
With this kind of device, microplastic monitoring is no longer limited to researchers. It can now be extended to manufacturers, environmental managers, and even individuals concerned about their exposure.
Bottom line: This innovation is making microplastic detection faster, more accessible, and more reliable—paving the way for better regulation and broader awareness across industries and society.
5. How to reduce your daily microplastic intake
Given how widespread microplastics have become, what can you actually do about it?
Good news: you do have the power to reduce your exposure to them.
- Ditch plastic containers: Opt for glass or stainless steel to store and consume food and drinks.
- Filter your water: Activated carbon filters (like those in pitcher-style systems) can significantly reduce microplastic content.
- Cut down on plastic packaging: Easier said than done, but choosing bulk products and biodegradable packaging makes a real difference.
- Be mindful with heat: Avoid microwaving food in plastic containers; use ceramic or glass instead.
Key takeaway: Less plastic in your kitchen = less plastic in your body.
6. Tech innovations: can we actually filter out microplastics?
Faced with the invisible invasion of microplastics, technology is finally beginning to address a key question: can we stop these particles before they reach us?
The good news is, several companies are already offering effective solutions to reduce exposure—both at home and on a larger scale.
6.1. Filtering drinking water: advanced systems to trap microplastics
Think bottled water is safer? Think again. It actually contains twice as many microplastics as tap water (source: Orb Media, 2018).
Luckily, certain filtration systems are now capable of capturing these particles before they end up in your glass.
- LifeStraw offers filters that remove 99.999% of microplastics, thanks to ultra-fine filtration technology. Their products are widely used in both households and humanitarian contexts.
- LAICA has developed MikroPLASTIK-STOP™, a filter specifically designed to capture microplastics found in tap water.
These technologies are essential for households looking for cleaner water—but they also represent a critical solution for communities where water contamination is a major public health issue.
6.2. Filtering plastic microfibers: stopping pollution at the source
Each load of laundry releases millions of plastic microfibers, which eventually make their way into oceans—and onto our plates.
Some manufacturers are now tackling this issue head-on, by designing filters specifically for washing machines.
- PlanetCare sells a washing machine filter that captures 98% of plastic microfibers released during a wash cycle.
- CLEANR is developing both internal and external filtration systems that can remove plastic particles as small as 50 microns.
These innovations provide a concrete, scalable solution to reduce pollution at the source, protecting both the environment and public health.
Key takeaway : Filtering microplastics is no longer science fiction. Solutions exist for both drinking water and textiles—but most households still don’t use them.
Wider adoption of these technologies could make a huge difference.
7. Moving toward global awareness and real action
This new technology is a major breakthrough, but the real question remains: how long will we keep ignoring the problem?
The growing body of scientific evidence is now pushing businesses and governments to take action.
Solutions to reduce microplastic ingestion already exist:
- Biodegradable packaging materials such as PVA, PLA, and other bioplastics
- Stricter regulations on single-use plastics
- Innovation in chemical recycling, turning plastic waste into reusable resources
But a truly sustainable transition goes far beyond simply avoiding plastic.
It’s about rethinking our entire approach to consumption—and redefining our relationship with materials altogether.
