microplastics

Plastic bottles containing supposedly clean, healthy water from a mountain spring, a municipal tap or other sources have become a part of the modern landscape — and landfill. A new commentary published by population health experts in BMJ Global Health warns that the enormous and increasing toll of bottled water on the health of humans […]

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Senate Bill 1053 banning all plastic bags at grocery stores in the state beginning in 2026. In 2014, California passed a ban on plastic shopping bags, but a loophole allowed shoppers to still be able to purchase bags made of thicker plastic for a dime apiece. A decade later, […]

It’s well-known that microplastics are pervasive, with scientists finding microplastics in testicular tissue, lungs and even blood. But now, researchers have discovered microplastic pieces in samples of the human brain at higher levels than expected. In a new pre-printed study published early by the National Library of Medicine, scientists analyzed plastic content in the livers, […]

A team of researchers has revealed alarming amounts of fiberglass particles in marine bivalves found off the coasts of southern England. According to the researchers, this is the first study to determine that fiberglass, or glass-reinforced plastic (GRP), particles can make their way into human food sources. Researchers from the University of Brighton, the University […]

For the first time, researchers have found the presence of additives found in vehicle tires in leafy crops grown for human consumption. While residues from other substances, such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products, have been detected previously, there has been no investigation into how pollution from car tires may affect food, the authors noted. […]

Researchers at the University of New Mexico have found concentrations of microplastics in the testicular tissue of humans and dogs. The findings raise concerns over how these particles can impact the reproductive system. The project started when study lead Xiaozhong Yu, a professor at the university’s College of Nursing, spoke with colleague Matthew Campen, professor […]

Studies have recently detected microplastics in human lungs and blood, and previous research shows humans ingest and inhale many microplastics even at home. In 2020, scientists uncovered microplastics in human organs for the first time. Now, researchers are making sense of how microplastics that are ingested can make their way from the gut to other […]

A new study led by scientists from the University of Exeter has found that the risk of seabed creatures being exposed to plastics depends on how they feed and interact with their environment, rather than simply reflecting pollution levels in their local area. All ocean plastic ends up sinking to the seafloor, a richly biodiverse […]