Microplastics are everywhere\u2014in our food, water, soil, air and even our bodies. And while the science is still evolving, the questions people have are very real.<\/p>\n
California lawmakers are taking action, which some see as too little, too late, and others see as overreach. That tension is familiar in public health\u2014big decisions, incomplete evidence, and real health consequences. <\/p>\n
During the pandemic, I learned that waiting for scientific certainty before sharing guidance usually means waiting too long. So in this video, we\u2019re jumping into microplastics\u2014 I share what I\u2019ve learned, how we\u2019re thinking about it in our own family, and a some steps you can take to reduce exposure. It\u2019s the start of a deeper conversation about an emerging environmental threat. <\/p>\n
Starting January 1st, \u201cpaper or plastic?\u201d isn\u2019t a question at checkout counters across California any more. A new state law bans plastic bags\u2014including the ones we used to be able to buy at checkout\u2014to reduce plastic pollution. It\u2019s just one small step, but here\u2019s why it can matter for our health.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m Matt Willis, Your Local Epidemiologist in California, and let\u2019s talk about microplastics. It\u2019s a topic many of you have been asking about\u2014and understandably so. The information can feel confusing. On one extreme you hear claims that we eat a credit card\u2019s worth of plastic every week (we don\u2019t) and that it\u2019s harming us constantly. On the other, you\u2019ll hear that microplastics are nothing to worry about. The truth, of course, is somewhere in between. And because YLE is a learning community, I want to share what I\u2019ve learned\u2014and how I\u2019m applying it in my own family.<\/p>\n
First, a quick foundation. Plastics don\u2019t really decompose. Instead, they break down into smaller and smaller pieces. These tiny fragments accumulate in our environment\u2014 in our water, food, soil, and air. Thanks to recent research, the potential health impacts of this exposure are becoming clearer.<\/p>\n
One study<\/a> published in 2024 was particularly helpful in shaping my understanding of why this matters for public health. Here\u2019s how it went. Researchers followed 257 people who were undergoing surgery to remove plaques from their arteries. Plaque is a buildup of fats and other substances that narrow blood vessels and increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.<\/p>\n They found two important things. First, microscopic plastic particles in the arterial plaques of 58% of the patients. This confirmed that microplastics from our environment can enter the bloodstream and become embedded in our blood vessels. But the second finding was even more important. They followed these patients for about three years and found that those with microplastics in their plaques had a fourfold higher risk of a subsequent heart attack or stroke.<\/p>\n Now, we need to be cautious here. This study shows an association, not proof of causation. But it\u2019s not an isolated finding. Other, more recent studies have reported similar associations, including analyses showing that higher levels of microplastics in brain<\/a> blood vessels are linked with higher rates of dementia.<\/p>\n Again, correlation does not equal causation. But these findings make biological sense. The lining of our arteries is sensitive and reactive, and tiny particles from the environment can act as irritants, triggering inflammation. This is similar to what we\u2019ve learned about wildfire smoke<\/a>: where microscopic particles can enter the bloodstream, drive inflammation, and increase the risk of smoke related heart attacks and strokes.<\/p>\n Inflammation of blood vessels is likely just one way microplastics may affect health, and research in this area is evolving rapidly. What\u2019s clear is the importance of continuing to examine the links between the health of our environment\u2014which is shaped by our policies and practices\u2014and the health of our bodies.<\/p>\n So what can we do to protect ourselves? One important step is reducing our use of plastics, though that\u2019s easier said than done. In our house, as a busy couple with kids, convenience matters. So rather than trying to eliminate plastic entirely, we focus on a few practical principles to limit exposure.<\/p>\n Remember, microplastics enter our bodies mainly through what we eat and drink<\/a>, with smaller amounts coming from the air we breathe and possibly through our skin. For us, that means not drinking from plastic bottles, which can contain relatively high levels of microplastics. We also avoid microwaving food in plastic, since heat increases the release of plastic particles into food. And we choose foods with minimal plastic packaging.<\/p>\n Other steps include using a water filter\u2014since tap water can contain microplastics\u2014and choosing natural fabrics when possible, because synthetic clothing can shed plastic fibers. We\u2019re still learning about additional sources of exposure, and we\u2019ll continue adjusting our home environment as new evidence emerges, right alongside you.<\/p>\n Finally, there\u2019s the role of policy. We can all advocate for sensible measures that reduce plastic pollution. If policies like plastic bag bans feel like government overreach, it\u2019s worth remembering that the issue isn\u2019t abstract or distant\u2014the impacts may be as close as our own hearts.<\/p>\n We\u2019re learning more about microplastics every day, and I\u2019ll continue to share what I learn with you. In the meantime, remember to bring reusable bags to the market and try to bring home as little plastic as possible. By taking care of the world around us, we take care of ourselves. See you soon. Stay curious, and stay connected.<\/p>\n New England Journal of Medicine study<\/a> (2024): Microplastics were detected in arterial plaques and associated with higher rates of heart attack and stroke.<\/p>\n Nature Medicine stud<\/a>y (2025): Higher microplastic levels were found in the brains of people with dementia.<\/p>\n California Senate Bill 1053 <\/a>(Effective January 1, 2026): Bans all plastic carryout bags at retail checkout statewide, allowing only paper or reusable bags.<\/p>\n