How dangerous are microplastics, really?
In: 306
I would say not very dangerous as far as we know and the issue is largely overhyped as it makes a catchy fear based headline to say micro plastics have now been found in x organ of the body or x food source.
There is little evidence of harmful health effects from micro plastics in the body at the rate most people are exposed to going about their life. (See below SAPEA report)
There is some evidence for inflammation caused by very high exposure to certain sizes of micro plastics in animal models.
Still not a license to stop recycling or cutting down on plastic use and it’s important the research continues as not much is known and it is still early days and the average microplastic exposure for an individual may well increase in the future.
For ELI am a politician…
You have the [SAPEA report](https://scientificadvice.eu/advice/a-scientific-perspective-on-microplastics-in-nature-and-society/)
SAPEA is a scientific advisory body of the EU which has complied extensive reports on the current understanding to inform EU policy makers.
> The best available evidence suggests that microplastics and nanoplastics do not pose a widespread risk to humans or the environment, except in small pockets. But that evidence is limited, and the situation could change if pollution continues at the current rate.
And
> In controlled experiments, high concentrations of these particles have been shown to cause physical harm to the environment and living creatures, including inducing inflammation and stress.
And a recent [WHO report](https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240054608)
> Although the limited data provide little evidence that NMP [Nano and Micro Plastics] have adverse effects in humans, there is increasing public awareness and an overwhelming consensus among all stakeholders that plastics do not belong in the environment, and measures should be taken to mitigate exposure to NMP.
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