Microplastics

[Bill Ryan]

Dr Mercola published this back in February:

Are Microplastics Already Inside You — and What Can You Do About It?

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=KLNdzrRXvLw

Here's the full PDF:

https://media.mercola.com/ImageServer/Public/2025/February/PDF/airborne-microplastics-health-problems-pdf.pdf

[norman]

Kieran Kelly is a name that belongs in this thread, and is one to keep an eye on. He cleans up plastic from oceans when he's not bogged down in the hypocrisies behind the environmentalism façade.

Posted by norman (here)
Sarah Westall - Kieran Kelly - USAID Corruption Plus Collapsing World Oxygen Supply
1 hour 8 minutes - Aug 16, 2025

Show notes
CEO of Ocean Integrity Group, Kieran Kelly, joins me to discuss the crisis unfolding in our oceans. Plankton—responsible for roughly 70% of the planet’s oxygen—are dying under the weight of microplastics flooding the seas. Those same particles are in our air, soil and food, driving damaging health issues we can’t ignore.

We also discuss a personal story he had encountering USAID and their corrupt practices.



https://rumble.com/v6xl7se-usaid-cor...html?start=459


Source: https://www.rumble.com/video/v6vebjk/?pub=1yatds&start=459

He is ( or seems to be ) for the oceanic eco system what Joel Salatin is for food production.

Posted by norman (here)
Sarah Westall - .“This Conversation Would Land Me in Prison in Ireland” – Its the Global Plan w/ Captain Kieran Kelly
Aug 1, 2025

Show notes
Captain Kieran Kelly, CEO of the world’s largest ocean cleanup company, joins the program for a sobering and powerful conversation. He exposes the inverted reality behind today’s environmentalist movement, revealing how global agendas are destroying the very planet they claim to save. He explains how Ireland has become the red canary in the gold mine—a warning sign for the entire Western world.

In today’s Ireland, telling the truth could land you in prison. Captain Kelly speaks openly about how free speech has become the biggest crime, and how his own personal tragedy—the murder of his son—is a stark warning of what awaits if we don’t stand up and fight back. This is a raw, emotional, and critically important discussion you won’t hear anywhere else.

You can follow and learn more about Kieran Kelly:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1492420448447618
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/captain-...87%AA-5b6774a/


https://rumble.com/v6wyc30-this-conv...html?start=570


Source: https://www.rumble.com/video/v6urfu6/?pub=1yatds&start=570

[onawah]

Glass Bottles Contain More Microplastics Than Plastic Bottles
by Dr. Joseph Mercola
August 26, 2025
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/a...&rid=373626718

https://media.mercola.com/ImageServe...astics-pdf.pdf

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=lW8M783aVI0

"Story at-a-glance
A French government study found that glass bottles contain five to 50 times more microplastics than plastic bottles, mostly from the painted caps that seal them
Researchers discovered that the microscopic plastic fragments in glass-packaged drinks matched the chemical makeup of the bottle cap paint, not the glass itself
When bottle caps were pre-cleaned with filtered air and ethanol, microplastic levels dropped by over 60% — showing this problem is avoidable with simple changes
Many people now consume roughly 5 grams of plastic per week — the weight of a credit card — from foods, drinking water, and even from breathing polluted air
Microplastics accumulate in your organs, especially the brain, where they trigger inflammation, obstruct blood flow, and accelerate cognitive decline and neurodegeneration

Glass bottles have long been promoted as the safer, cleaner alternative to plastic. You've probably heard that message dozens of times — choose glass to avoid chemical leaching, plasticizers, or environmental harm. But a recent study found that this advice isn’t as accurate or reliable anymore.

According to new research, drinks stored in glass bottles are loaded with unexpected amounts of microplastics — higher than what’s found in many plastic bottles. If you’ve been shifting your purchases toward glass thinking you’re avoiding plastics entirely, you might need to look closely at what the research says so you can make smarter, safer choices.

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=ssZkid_ek4A

French Study Finds Surprising Amounts of Microplastic in Glass Bottles
A recent study conducted by Agence Nationale de Sécurité Sanitaire (ANSES), France’s government agency that is responsible for food, environmental, and occupational health and safety, investigated various local beverages sold in different types of containers to determine how much microplastics they contain. The study, published in the Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, aimed to identify whether the packaging impacts the level of microplastics found in the drinks.1

•The study involved a total of 79 beverage samples — These include still and sparkling water, soda, iced tea, lemonade, beer, and wine. The drinks were packaged across a wide variety of container types, such as glass bottles, plastic bottles, metal cans, cardboard bricks, and cubitainers (large soft containers). This diversity was essential because it allowed the team to compare microplastic content across different packaging materials under realistic, commercially available conditions.

•The researchers implemented strict contamination control measures — Every bottle was opened under a laminar flow cabinet, a sterile environment that eliminates dust and airborne contaminants. All fluids were filtered through a polycarbonate membrane with a pore size of 0.45 microns to trap any microplastic particles larger than that size. This pore size is small enough to capture most microplastics, which typically range from 1 micrometer to 5 millimeters in diameter.

•Across all tested drinks, those stored in glass bottles had the highest levels of contamination — The results found that every liter of beverage stored in glass bottles contains around 100 microplastic particles. On average, these glass-bottled drinks have five to 50 times more microplastic particles than those packaged in plastic or metal.

This finding was consistent across multiple beverage types, especially sodas and lemonades. Surprisingly, wine showed relatively low levels of microplastics even when bottled in glass, likely because many wine bottles use corks instead of painted metal caps (more on this later).

•The results were unexpected, even for the researchers — Iseline Chaib, a Ph.D. student and one of the study authors, said their team "expected the opposite result."

Microplastics originate from various sources. While some are manufactured intentionally, such as microbeads, most microplastics found in the environment are created when larger plastic items like bottles, bags and food packaging break down due to sunlight exposure, weathering, and physical abrasion. These tiny plastic particles are everywhere — even in the beverages you drink.

Painted Bottle Caps Are the Culprit
The researchers specifically identified that the contamination in glass-packaged beverages wasn’t coming from the glass itself — but from the painted metal caps used to seal them.

"We then noticed that in the glass, the particles emerging from the samples were the same shape, color and polymer composition — so therefore the same plastic — as the paint on the outside of the caps that seal the glass bottles," Chaib said.2

•Polyester and alkyd resin polymers were the most commonly identified materials — These were exactly what’s used in industrial paints and coatings for bottle caps. This would also explain why wine bottles, which were sealed with corks, had lower contamination levels of microplastics.

"FTIR analysis of the paint on the metal cap revealed that it was mainly composed of polyester, like the particles isolated from glass bottles, which mainly belong to the polyester class. Therefore, it was hypothesized that these particles could originate from the cap," the researchers said.3

•Microplastics shed during production and storage — The researchers observed the caps under magnification and found that they were covered in tiny scratches — abrasions formed as they scraped against one another during storage. These scratches caused microscopic flakes of paint to detach and fall into the bottle upon sealing. So even if the cap looks perfectly clean and intact outside, inside your drink, fragments are already breaking loose.

•The team confirmed their suspicions through controlled testing — They refilled sterile glass bottles with filtered water and applied new, unused caps. If the caps were not pre-cleaned, the particle count reached an average of 287 microplastic fragments per liter.

But after blowing the caps with filtered air or rinsing them with water and ethanol, contamination levels dropped dramatically to 105 and 86 particles per liter, respectively. However, the researchers note that the microplastic levels only dropped, but are not completely removed.

How Much Plastic Are You Really Ingesting?
Microplastics have infiltrated nearly every corner of the environment. They’re in the soil, oceans, lakes, rivers, and even in the air you breathe. This widespread contamination makes it nearly impossible to avoid exposure entirely.

•Microplastics are everywhere in the human body — Numerous studies have provided evidence on the pervasiveness of microplastics; in fact, these particles have been detected inside living tissue — they are lodged deep within organs, absorbed through your gut, and circulating through your bloodstream. In recent years, scientists have detected microplastic in all kinds of human tissues, including the placenta,4 liver, lungs, kidney, spleen, heart, brain,5 and even your stool.6

•You’re consuming about 5 grams of plastic weekly — This amount was based on research by the World Wildlife Federation (WWF) International, and is about the weight of a credit card.7 Although a significant amount will pass through you and be excreted from your system, some will remain and accumulate in your organs.

•Over time, the numbers add up — According to the WWF’s calculations, you consume about 21 grams of plastic per month — equivalent to one Lego brick.

In a year’s time, you’ve consumed 250 grams, or the size of a full dinner plate’s-worth of plastic. In 10 years, you’ve ingested around 5.5 pounds. And, if you add all that, the amount will reach about 40 pounds in the average lifetime.

And if you think that microplastics linger harmlessly inside your body, the truth is far more sinister. Studies have shown that microplastics are cytotoxic — meaning they are toxic to your cells. One study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences found that microplastic particles enter your cells within 24 hours of exposure, and accumulate primarily around the nucleus. As microplastics levels and exposure time increased, cell viability significantly decreased.8

Microplastics Are Linked to Chronic Diseases
Emerging research has uncovered strong connections between microplastic exposure and health problems like high blood pressure, stroke and metabolic dysfunction. Even low-level, everyday exposure has been associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular events.

•Research compares plastic exposure levels in the environment with community disease rates — A recent research looked at the concentration of microplastics in seafloor sediment across 555 U.S. coastal and lakeside census tracts between 2015 and 20199 and compared them with the prevalence of high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke and cancer. They assessed how microplastic pollution stacked up against 154 other environmental and socioeconomic factors.

•Populations who reside in areas with high-microplastic levels had higher rates of chronic illnesses — These include noncommunicable diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, and stroke. According to researchers, the plastic particles were inhaled or ingested as a result of basic day-to-day activities like drinking water, eating food, or simply breathing.

•Plastic particles are among the top 10 predictors of chronic disease — Microplastic exposure is on par with other high-risk variables like racial minority status or lacking health insurance.

•The more microplastics in your body, the higher your disease risk — The researchers found that regions with very high microplastic levels (over 40,000 particles per square meter of sediment) had the worst disease outcomes. Areas with under 200 particles per square meter of sediment had the lowest outcomes. This shows a clear dose effect.

Another way by which microplastics wreak havoc on your health is by damaging your fertility. Microplastics accumulate in both male and female reproductive organs, contributing to declining fertility rates worldwide. I recommend reading "How Microplastics Affect Your Reproductive Health" for more information on this topic.

Your Brain Is Under Attack by Plastic
As previously mentioned, microplastics travel all over your body, causing harm to your organs. One of the most severely affected by these toxic particles is your brain. This is because microplastics are able to pass through the blood-brain barrier — normally, this protective barrier prevents harmful substances from entering your brain tissues. However, studies found that nanoplastics (particles that measure less than 100 nanometers) are able to cross this barrier in just two hours after entering your body.10

•Microplastics put you at risk of neurodegenerative diseases — According to an animal study published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, nanoplastics that cross the blood-brain barrier accelerate the spread of beta-amyloid peptides — this is the main pathogenic protein of conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.11

•Your brain contains more microplastics than other major organs — A recent study published in Nature Medicine analyzed different organ tissues, such as the liver, kidney, and brains, and found that brains are a significant collection point for microplastics. Brain tissues have drastically higher levels of microplastic concentrations. In fact, brain tissue harbored, on average, seven to 30 times more microplastics than the other organs examined.12

•In people with dementia, even higher microplastic concentrations were seen in their brains — The researchers found that microplastic levels in the brains of people with dementia were several times greater than even the already elevated levels found in "normal" brain samples. Read more in "Microplastics Accumulate in Your Brain More Than Other Organs."

•Microplastics cause obstructions in your brain — A separate study found that once microplastics are in the bloodstream, they are quickly engulfed by immune cells. These immune cells then become carriers of these plastic pollutants and are trapped within the narrow capillaries of the brain's cortex, causing physical obstructions that directly impeded blood flow.13 This reduced blood flow in the brain leads to a cascade of neurological and cognitive problems.

Natural Strategies to Eliminate Microplastics Are Being Explored
Studies are now looking at strategies to help the human body filter, trap, and eliminate microplastics before they can spread throughout your other systems. These methods offer a multi-angle approach to help reduce your internal plastic load and support overall health. I’ve recently written a paper discussing these methods in detail, and while it is still under peer-review, I’ve provided the key findings below.

•Cross-linked psyllium could help eliminate microplastics — One key system that plays a role in removing microplastics from your body is your gut. A 2024 study showed that acrylamide cross-linked psyllium (PLP-AM) removed over 92% of common plastic types like polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from water.

Because of its high swelling ability and sticky, gel-like texture, cross-linked psyllium could be adapted to work inside the gut, where it may trap plastic particles before they’re absorbed into the body. While the study was conducted in a water treatment setting, the results are also promising for human health.14

•Chitosan, a natural fiber derived from shellfish, also shows promise for clearing microplastics from your body — A recent animal study published in Scientific Reports found that rats given a chitosan-enriched diet were able to eliminate about 115% of the polyethylene microplastics they were fed, compared to just 84% in the control group.

This suggests that chitosan not only helps bind and eliminate new plastic particles but might even help pull out some that were already absorbed. However, while it's generally considered safe and already used in supplements, people with shellfish allergies are advised to steer clear of it.15

Psyllium and chitosan work through physical adsorption, where hydrophobic (water-repelling) and electrostatic forces stick microplastic particles to the fiber, keeping them from being absorbed. However, one drawback with these binders is that they can also soak up nutrients if not timed carefully. Hence, they need to be used strategically to provide the most benefit, such as ingesting them with processed or packaged foods, which are more likely to contain plastics.

•Certain beneficial bacteria strains can help clear microplastics from the gut — A 2025 animal study found that two specific strains, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei DT66 and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DT88, were able to bind to and eliminate tiny polystyrene particles in lab tests. These probiotics work by forming protective biofilms that trap plastic particles, making them easier to flush out.16

When combined with dietary fibers like psyllium and chitosan, the result could be a more effective and natural way to sweep microplastics out of the gut before they’re absorbed.

•The liver also plays an essential role in clearing microplastics from the bloodstream — Specialized immune cells in the liver, known as Kupffer cells, help trap these foreign particles and route them into bile for elimination via the intestines. However, while this method may work on smaller plastics, larger ones can linger and build up, especially if your liver function is compromised.

To support this natural detox pathway, researchers are studying the use of compounds like ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and its variant tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA), which stimulate bile production and improve particle flow out of the liver.

•Researchers are also looking at strategies to enhance autophagy to eliminate microplastics — Autophagy is your body's natural cellular recycling system. Researchers are looking at compounds that can help promote this system, mainly rapamycin and spermidine.

Rapamycin works by inhibiting the mTOR pathway, a nutrient-sensing mechanism that normally suppresses autophagy. When mTOR is turned off, cells ramp up their cleanup efforts, forming membranes that can collect and isolate plastic particles for breakdown or removal. Meanwhile, spermidine is a naturally occurring polyamine found in foods that enhances cellular resilience and supports the clearance of toxic substances.

In lab and animal studies, the combination of spermidine and rapamycin helped reverse mitochondrial dysfunction and reduce oxidative stress caused by microplastics.

The table below summarizes these novel strategies to eliminate microplastics, including their mechanisms of action, how much testing has been done, and important safety considerations. It shows that although several different approaches may be needed, clearing plastics from your body naturally is possible. Of course, reducing your exposure is still the ideal preliminary course of action.



How to Reduce Your Exposure to Microplastics
With more and more information about the damaging health effects of microplastics coming out, it's now more important than ever to take proactive measures to reduce your exposure. Although environmental plastic pollution is now widespread, certain changes will help minimize your microplastic burden and protect your health.

1.Filter your water at home — If you're buying bottled drinks because you don’t trust your tap water, I recommend using a high-quality water filtration system that specifically removes microplastics and heavy metals. I also recommend filling your own glass or stainless-steel bottles at home with clean, filtered water.

2.Boil hard tap water — If you have hard tap water, consider boiling it before using it for cooking or drinking, as hard water traps more microplastics. Recent research shows boiling hard tap water for five minutes removes up to 90% of the microplastics in the water.

3.Rethink your reliance on store-bought bottled drinks — Even brands that market themselves as premium or eco-friendly use plastic liners and caps. Make a habit of preparing your own drinks at home and storing them in safe containers.

4.Switch to wide-mouthed, fully stainless steel or glass containers — Narrow-neck bottles — especially carbonated ones — require strong seals. Those seals are almost always plastic or contain plastic-based glues. Use wide-mouth bottles and jars with stainless steel, ceramic, or bamboo lids.

For carbonated beverages, you’re better off using swing-top glass bottles with rubber gaskets that don’t contain microplastic-shedding components. If you already use glass, inspect the lid lining. If it's soft, white, or peels, that’s likely polyethylene or a plastic-based resin.

5.Use reusable containers — Replace single-use plastic bottles, cups and containers with reusable alternatives made from safer materials like stainless steel or glass.

6.Cut down your exposure by avoiding long storage times — The longer a beverage sits in contact with its container, the more time there is for microplastics to leach out. Heat and acidity accelerate this process. If you have no other choice but to buy a bottled drink, consume it quickly and don’t store it in a hot car, on a windowsill, or anywhere in direct sunlight.

Don’t reuse bottles with plastic caps for storing your own drinks — each reuse increases microplastic release. Transfer beverages into safer containers if you’re going to store them for more than a few hours.

7.Support brands that disclose testing for microplastics — Most companies don't disclose whether they test for microplastic content, let alone what materials they use in their lids and liners. But a few are starting to lead the way by publishing lab results and using fully inert materials like borosilicate glass and metal lids with silicone seals. When possible, support the ones that practice transparency.

For more strategies to help minimize your microplastics exposure, I recommend reading "Fertility Rates Around the World Continue to Decline." Taking these steps will reduce your exposure not just to microplastics, but to the broader cascade of metabolic disruption and mitochondrial damage they cause.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Microplastics in Glass Bottles
Q: Why do glass bottles contain more microplastics than plastic ones?

A: Glass bottles are often sealed with painted metal caps, and that paint is the main source of contamination. As the caps rub against each other during storage and handling, tiny flakes of paint — made from plastic polymers like polyester — shed into the drink. These fragments end up in the beverage even though the glass itself isn’t releasing plastic.

Q: What drinks were tested in the study, and which had the most microplastics?

A: The study tested 79 samples including water, soda, lemonade, iced tea, beer, and wine. Soda and lemonade in glass bottles had the highest microplastic counts, averaging around 100 particles per liter. Wine had much lower levels, likely because it’s sealed with corks rather than painted caps.

Q: How did the researchers confirm the source of the microplastics?

A: The team from ANSES analyzed the color, shape, and chemical makeup of the particles found in the drinks. They matched them to the paint used on the outside of bottle caps. In lab tests, new glass bottles sealed with unwashed caps released over 280 plastic particles per liter — while cleaned caps significantly reduced contamination.

Q: Are microplastics really dangerous to my health?

A: Yes. Studies show they don’t just pass through your body — they accumulate in tissues, organs, and even the brain. Microplastics have been linked to inflammation, cell damage, cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline, and reduced fertility. Over time, they build up in amounts equivalent to several pounds inside the average body.

Q: What can I do to reduce my microplastic exposure from drinks?

A: You can switch to wide-mouthed glass or stainless-steel containers with non-plastic lids, filter your water at home, avoid storing drinks in heat or for long periods, and support brands that test for microplastic contamination. Even small changes in how you store and consume beverages can sharply reduce your exposure."


- Sources and References
1, 3 Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, August 2025, Volume 144, 107719
2 Phys Org, June 20, 2025
4 Environ Int. 2021 Jan:146:106274
5 Particle and Fibre Toxicology, 2020, Volume 17, Article number: 55
6 NHPR, October 22, 2018
7 New York Post, December 8, 2020
8 Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(15), 12308
9 American College of Cardiology, March 25, 2025
10 Nanomaterials (Basel). 2023 Apr 19;13(8):1404
11 Journal of Hazardous Materials, Volume 465, 5 March 2024, 133518
12 Nature Medicine, 2025, Volume 31, Pages 1114-1119
13 Science Advances, January 22, 2025, Volume 11, Issue 4
14 ChemistrySelect June 2024, 9(21)
15 Sci Rep. 2025 Apr 23;15:14041
16 Front Microbiol. 2025 Jan 10;15:1522794

[onawah]

Microplastics Found to Trigger Cancer-Linked Changes in Lung Cells
Analysis by Dr. Joseph Mercola
September 08, 2025
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/a...&rid=383395429

https://media.mercola.com/ImageServe...r-risk-pdf.pdf

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=nHB8b6kQgjo

"Story at-a-glance
Microplastics were found to trigger cancer-like changes in healthy lung cells, including increased mobility, DNA damage, and activated survival pathways
Inhaled particles bypass your body’s defenses and embed deep in your lungs, where they silently disrupt cellular function without causing obvious inflammation
A review of 31 studies confirmed that microplastics harm your lungs, gut, and reproductive organs even at exposure levels that mimic everyday life
Smaller nanoplastics are especially dangerous because they cross into your bloodstream, reaching your liver, brain, and other organs where they cause long-term damage
Natural strategies like psyllium, chitosan, probiotics, and autophagy-enhancing nutrients help trap and remove plastic particles before they’re absorbed

Microplastics are no longer just a problem in the ocean — they’re showing up deep in your lungs, changing how your cells function, and raising red flags about cancer risk.

A new study published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials revealed that when healthy lung cells absorb polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics — the same kind found in food containers and packaging — they adapt in dangerous ways.1

Instead of dying off, these cells become more mobile and activate pro-survival signals linked to tumor formation. In other words, plastic doesn’t kill your lung cells; it rewires them to behave more like cancer. You inhale thousands of these particles every day from indoor dust, car tires, synthetic fabrics, and degraded packaging.

They're small enough to bypass your airways' built-in defenses and embed themselves in the tissue, right where gas exchange happens. Once there, they generate oxidative stress — an internal firestorm of reactive molecules that attack your DNA, disrupt repair systems, and throw off normal cell function. The transformation into a more aggressive, unstable state starts earlier than anyone thought — not in tumors, but in the tissues you rely on to breathe.

These changes don't cause symptoms right away. But left unchecked, they lay the groundwork for chronic inflammation, lung disease, or cancer later in life. The evidence is clear: plastic is interfering with the core biology of your lungs. Now let’s look at how these findings came to light — and what exactly plastic does once it enters your body.

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=TygsjcE_ahE

Healthy Lung Cells Absorb More Plastic Than Cancer Cells — and Change in Dangerous Ways
For the Journal of Hazardous Materials study, researchers examined the effects of microplastics and nanoplastics on both healthy lung cells and three types of lung cancer cells.2 They wanted to see if these plastic particles — widely found in food packaging, household dust, and industrial waste — interfere with normal cell function or trigger biological changes tied to disease.

•Healthy cells were more affected than cancerous ones — The researchers exposed the cells to various sizes of microplastics and nanoplastics at low doses meant to reflect real-world conditions. Surprisingly, it was the healthy lung epithelial cells that absorbed more plastic than the cancer cell lines. These normal cells also showed a greater shift in behavior, including changes in shape, structure, and migration — all red flags for malignant transformation.

•Plastic exposure didn’t kill cells — it pushed them into survival mode — Unlike many toxins that kill off cells through apoptosis, or programmed cell death, microplastics didn’t trigger widespread cell death. Instead, they activated internal damage response systems, including DNA repair signals and antioxidant defense. This is concerning because it means the cells adapted to survive in a toxic environment — the first step in the chain reaction that leads to cancer.

•DNA damage and oxidative stress were key findings — The lung cells showed elevated markers of oxidative stress and significant DNA strand breaks after exposure to microplastics and nanoplastics. This kind of internal damage, if not properly repaired, leads to genetic instability — a known precursor to cancer development. The study also confirmed that oxidative stress was size-dependent, with smaller nanoparticles causing more harm than larger ones.

Plastic Exposure Made Healthy Cells More Mobile — a Cancer-Like Behavior
One of the most troubling findings was that lung cells increased their rate of migration after plastic exposure. In cancer biology, increased mobility is a marker for aggressive tumor cells, which invade surrounding tissues and spread throughout the body. The fact that noncancerous cells began behaving this way highlights the hidden risk of daily microplastic exposure.3

•Plastic particles disrupted the cell membrane and cytoskeleton — Researchers used imaging tools to show that both nano- and microplastics entered the cells and altered the internal structure. The actin cytoskeleton — a network that helps cells maintain their shape and movement — was significantly reorganized in exposed cells. This internal restructuring made the cells more fragile and unstable.

•Several survival pathways were activated in the lung cells — Exposure to microplastics and nanoplastics triggered signaling pathways that promote cell survival and resistance to stress. These same pathways are commonly overactive in tumor cells, and their activation in healthy lung cells suggests that plastic is not just a passive contaminant but an active disruptor of cell biology.

•Plastic-induced changes occurred without visible inflammation — One of the more insidious findings was that all of these harmful changes occurred without classic signs of inflammation or immune response. That means you wouldn’t feel anything or see any symptoms — but the long-term cellular effects could be serious. This stealth effect underscores why daily exposure to microplastics should not be dismissed.

•Cells exposed to plastic lost their ability to function normally — Overall, the study showed that plastic particles interfere with nearly every aspect of healthy lung cell behavior: from DNA integrity to cell shape, mobility, and stress response. While the research didn’t follow these changes to full tumor formation, the authors emphasized that these are precisely the kinds of shifts that lead to long-term disease.

Microplastics Damage Your Lungs, Gut, and Reproductive System — Even at Everyday Exposure Levels
A 2024 review in Environmental Science & Technology looked at 28 animal studies and three human studies to understand what happens when microplastics get inside you — whether you breathe them in or swallow them.4 The damage wasn’t limited to one area. It showed up in the lungs, digestive tract, and even reproductive organs.

•Plastic triggered inflammation, DNA damage, and hormonal disruption — Inhaling plastic particles caused inflammation in the lungs, scarring of airways, and changes in how immune cells responded.

Ingested plastics damaged the gut lining, disrupted the gut microbiome, and kicked off chronic inflammation. Some studies showed sperm damage, lower testosterone, changes in ovary structure, and reduced fertility in animals. These effects weren’t limited to high doses — they happened at levels that mimic everyday life.

•Oxidative stress was the main mechanism behind the harm — The common thread was oxidative stress — a kind of internal “rusting” process where your body struggles to keep up with damaging free radicals. That stress interferes with DNA repair, weakens cell membranes, and confuses your immune system. Once it starts, it becomes harder for your body to recover from the damage.

•Smaller particles go deeper — and stay longer — Nanoplastics, the tiniest particles, were the most dangerous. They could pass through the lungs or gut lining, enter the bloodstream, and end up in places like your liver, kidneys, or even your brain. These particles didn’t just pass through — they stuck around and changed how those organs functioned.

•Plastic isn’t just an environmental problem — it’s a full-body health threat — What you breathe, eat, and drink every day could be slowly reshaping your internal biology. Even though more human studies are needed, the fact that dozens of animal studies found damage across key organ systems — at realistic exposure levels — makes one thing clear: your daily contact with microplastics isn’t harmless.

Natural Strategies to Eliminate Microplastics Are Being Explored
Studies are now looking at strategies to help the human body filter, trap, and eliminate microplastics before they can spread throughout your other systems. These methods offer a multi-angle approach to help reduce your internal plastic load and support overall health. I’ve recently written a paper discussing these methods in detail, and while it is still under peer-review, I’ve provided the key findings below.

•Cross-linked psyllium could help eliminate microplastics — One key system that plays a role in removing microplastics from your body is your gut. A 2024 study showed that acrylamide cross-linked psyllium (PLP-AM) removed over 92% of common plastic types like polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from water.

Because of its high swelling ability and sticky, gel-like texture, cross-linked psyllium could be adapted to work inside the gut, where it may trap plastic particles before they’re absorbed into the body. While the study was conducted in a water treatment setting, the results are also promising for human health.5

•Chitosan, a natural fiber derived from shellfish, also shows promise for clearing microplastics from your body — A recent animal study published in Scientific Reports found that rats given a chitosan-enriched diet were able to eliminate about 115% of the polyethylene microplastics they were fed, compared to just 84% in the control group.

This suggests that chitosan not only helps bind and eliminate new plastic particles but might even help pull out some that were already absorbed. However, while it's generally considered safe and already used in supplements, people with shellfish allergies are advised to steer clear of it.6

Psyllium and chitosan work through physical adsorption, where hydrophobic (water-repelling) and electrostatic forces stick microplastic particles to the fiber, keeping them from being absorbed. However, one drawback with these binders is that they can also soak up nutrients if not timed carefully. Hence, they need to be used strategically to provide the most benefit, such as ingesting them with processed or packaged foods, which are more likely to contain plastics.

•Certain beneficial bacteria strains can help clear microplastics from the gut — A 2025 animal study found that two specific strains, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei DT66 and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DT88, were able to bind to and eliminate tiny polystyrene particles in lab tests.

These probiotics work by forming protective biofilms that trap plastic particles, making them easier to flush out.7 When combined with dietary fibers like psyllium and chitosan, the result could be a more effective and natural way to sweep microplastics out of the gut before they’re absorbed.

•The liver also plays an essential role in clearing microplastics from the bloodstream — Specialized immune cells in the liver, known as Kupffer cells, help trap these foreign particles and route them into bile for elimination via the intestines. However, while this method may work on smaller plastics, larger ones can linger and build up, especially if your liver function is compromised.

To support this natural detox pathway, researchers are studying the use of compounds like ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and its variant tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA), which stimulate bile production and improve particle flow out of the liver.

•Researchers are also looking at strategies to enhance autophagy to eliminate microplastics — Autophagy is your body's natural cellular recycling system. Researchers are looking at compounds that can help promote this system, mainly rapamycin and spermidine.

Rapamycin works by inhibiting the mTOR pathway, a nutrient-sensing mechanism that normally suppresses autophagy. When mTOR is turned off, cells ramp up their cleanup efforts, forming membranes that can collect and isolate plastic particles for breakdown or removal. Meanwhile, spermidine is a naturally occurring polyamine found in foods that enhances cellular resilience and supports the clearance of toxic substances.

In lab and animal studies, the combination of spermidine and rapamycin helped reverse mitochondrial dysfunction and reduce oxidative stress caused by microplastics.

The table below summarizes these novel strategies to eliminate microplastics, including their mechanisms of action, how much testing has been done, and important safety considerations. It shows that although several different approaches may be needed, clearing plastics from your body naturally is possible. Of course, reducing your exposure is still the ideal preliminary course of action.



How to Reduce Your Exposure to Lung-Damaging Microplastics
If you're breathing, you're exposed. Microplastics are in the air around you — from synthetic carpets and clothing to packaging dust and car exhaust. You don’t need to panic, but you do need to act. These particles aren’t just passing through your lungs.

They're embedding, altering how your cells behave, and triggering damage at a cellular level. That means you need to treat this like any other environmental toxin: identify the source and cut it off. Here’s how I recommend you take control of your environment and protect your lungs:

1.Ditch synthetic textiles and go natural wherever possible — If you’re wearing polyester or drying synthetic fabrics indoors, you're likely inhaling fibers you can’t see. Switch to natural clothing like cotton, wool, linen, or hemp. Use a vented dryer and keep your laundry space well-ventilated to reduce airborne fibers.

If you’re a parent, prioritize organic natural fibers for children — they’re more vulnerable to inhalation damage. For the synthetic pieces you already own, wash them less frequently, line dry when possible, and use a microfiber-catching laundry bag to trap loose fibers.

2.Upgrade your indoor air filtration and filter your water — Your lungs are working overtime in enclosed spaces. Use a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in the rooms where you spend the most time — especially bedrooms and workspaces. If you live in an apartment or near a busy road, a good air purifier is nonnegotiable.

Make sure it’s rated for micro-sized particles (PM2.5 or smaller) to catch airborne plastic dust. In addition, use a high-quality water filtration system that removes particles down to the micron level.

3.Avoid heating plastic containers or food packaging — Microwaving plastic, drinking hot liquids from plastic-lined cups, or using plastic containers for leftovers can release polystyrene particles and nanoplastics. Store food in glass or stainless steel instead. If you're reheating, make it a habit to transfer your food out of plastic first — this one small change significantly lowers your microplastic load.

4.Vacuum with a sealed system and damp dust frequently — Dust is one of the biggest sources of indoor microplastics — and your vacuum matters. Use a sealed vacuum with a HEPA filter, and clean floors regularly, especially if you have carpets or pets. Dry dusting just pushes particles into the air, so use a damp cloth to trap and remove dust instead.

5.Avoid personal care products that contain microbeads or plastic thickeners — If you're using exfoliating scrubs, toothpaste, or face washes that list polyethylene or polypropylene on the label, you’re applying plastic directly to your skin and possibly rinsing it into the air. Choose clean, microplastic-free products.

You won’t just help your body — you’ll help reduce contamination in the environment, too. Small actions, when done consistently, have a compounding effect. The less plastic you breathe in, the lower your risk of cellular stress, immune dysfunction, and long-term lung damage.

FAQs About Microplastics
Q: How do microplastics affect my lungs?

A: Microplastics don't just sit in your airways — they get absorbed into lung cells and trigger changes linked to cancer. They cause oxidative stress, DNA damage, and make healthy cells behave more like tumor cells by activating survival pathways and increasing mobility, even without obvious inflammation.

Q: Where do microplastics come from, and how do I inhale them?

A: You breathe them in from indoor dust, synthetic clothing, carpets, car tires, and even packaging materials. These particles are tiny enough to bypass your lungs’ natural defenses and embed in your tissue — right where gas exchange happens.

Q: What other parts of my body do microplastics harm?

A: Beyond your lungs, microplastics damage your digestive system and reproductive organs. Studies show they disrupt your gut lining, alter your microbiome, and interfere with hormones, fertility, and immune signaling. Smaller nanoplastics even reach your brain and liver through your bloodstream.

Q: Can I remove microplastics from my body naturally?

A: Emerging research suggests that natural binders like cross-linked psyllium, chitosan, and specific probiotics help trap and eliminate microplastics in your gut. Other strategies like supporting liver detox and boosting autophagy with compounds like spermidine and rapamycin are also being studied.

Q: What are the best ways to reduce my exposure to microplastics?

A: Switch to natural fabrics, use HEPA air filters, avoid heating food in plastic, vacuum with sealed systems, and choose clean personal care products without microbeads. Small daily changes significantly lower your plastic exposure and protect your long-term health."

- Sources and References
1, 2, 3 Journal of Hazardous Materials September 5, 2025, Volume 495, 139129
4 Environmental Science & Technology December 18, 2024
5 ChemistrySelect June 2024, 9(21)
6 Sci Rep. 2025 Apr 23;15:14041
7 Front Microbiol. 2025 Jan 10;15:1522794

[Bill Ryan]

Another update on microplastics, which I didn't want to hear.

• https://explorersweb.com/microplasti...the-wilderness

Hikers are Inadvertently Bringing Microplastics into the Wilderness

Members of a 500km expedition along the Hudson River sampled water at two high-elevation lakes in the Adirondacks. Their findings indicate that humans introduce microplastics into the environment through more than just water and air pollution. Modern clothing and gear also shed microplastics.

In 2024, an outdoor company and a youth wilderness company joined forces to lead eight high schoolers on this trek along the Hudson River. Starting in the Adirondack Mountains, they hiked, rafted, and kayaked to the New York Harbor, relying only on human power.

The students came from New York and California. All were juniors or seniors, and all were male for unspecified “practical considerations,” although two had never hiked a mountain before. On the flip side, three were Eagle Scouts and two came from the Adirondacks.

The expedition took 18 days, some of which lasted 20 hours. They stayed in a combination of campsites and hotels. Challenges included canoe portaging and dealing with storms.


The high schoolers and one of their guides on the expedition.

Surprising measurements

Along the way, the group took water samples to measure microplastics in two lakes. They expected Lake Tear, at the top of the watershed, to have the purest water they would encounter.

Moss Pond, only 13m lower than Lake Tear in elevation but further down the watershed, experiences similar airflow to Lake Tear. In contrast to Lake Tear, though, no trail leads to its shores.

Contrary to their expectations, the team found a 26-times higher concentration of microplastics in Lake Tear than in Moss Pond. This suggests that in the upper watershed, more microplastics arrive in the water carried on hikers’ garments than floating in the air.

The team’s findings agree with surveys that found increased amounts of microplastics on trails. Most of the plastic was microfibers from clothing.


The team samples water at Moss Pond, left, and Lake Tear.

What you can do

Many biochemists, environmental scientists, and public health specialists have devoted their careers to understanding the impact of microplastics on the world around us. They have uncovered effects ranging from respiratory illnesses in children to disrupted food chains in ecosystems worldwide.

While individuals may lack the power to effect wide-scale change in society’s reliance on plastic, the Hudson River experiments show there are some ecosystems where we can have an impact.

Currently, most gear companies no longer sell natural rubber soles. And natural fiber clothes are often more difficult to find than their synthetic counterparts. But hard rubber soles shed fewer microplastics than soft ones. Additionally, natural fibers like cotton and linen don’t release any microfibers. Here, customers have more power for change than in most other areas of pollution.

[Ravenlocke]

First time I noticed microplastics in clothes is when I started seeing the word “modal” on the label in clothes when shopping for cotton wear. Now I see it even in sheets, pillow cases, comforters, etc. I read labels before buying because you cannot trust by feel and look.
I didn’t like polyester clothes in the 80’s still don’t like them today.

Dr. Rhonda Patrick

Every time we wash or wear synthetic clothes, we release tiny plastic particles—microplastics—into the air, water, and even our lungs.

Microplastic exposure occurs mainly through ingestion and inhalation, especially in urban areas where fibers from synthetic clothing and degraded plastics enter the air.

These particles don’t just pass through the body—they accumulate in organs like the lungs, brain, liver, and even the placenta, raising potential health concerns.

Synthetic fabrics like polyester, nylon, and acrylic shed microfibers into water and air, exposing us through wear, laundry, and poorly vented dryers.

There's more. Performance clothing labeled “waterproof,” “stain-resistant,” or “oil-repellent” often contains PFAS, known as “forever chemicals” because they persist in the body for years.

PFAS have been linked to hormonal disruptions, immune dysfunction, and cancers, making it particularly important to limit exposure—especially in children.

Opting for 100% natural fibers like cotton, wool, or hemp reduces microplastic exposure, while filters or laundry bags like Guppyfriend can trap fibers during washing.

Gradual changes—like opting for natural fibers and using washing solutions that trap microfibers—can significantly reduce exposure without requiring a complete wardrobe overhaul.

https://x.com/foundmyfitness/status/1849921149964255540

[Bill Ryan]

The microplastics problem is increasingly starting to make headlines. Here's an important article republished on Infowars:

• https://www.infowars.com/posts/heart...-heart-disease

Heart of the Matter: Why Microplastics, not Cholesterol in the Diet, May Be Driving Heart Disease

I’m not the first person to call the “lipid-heart hypothesis”—the theory that consumption of cholesterol and saturated fat causes heart disease—the biggest medical scam of the last hundred years. Maybe of all time.

It’s the reason cholesterol is basically the most demonised substance in medicine, apart from tobacco. Although it’s actually been overturned and discredited for the most part now, the lipid-heart hypothesis still lives on, zombie-like, in medical textbooks, food advertising and popular consciousness. If I went to my doctor now and told him how many eggs and how much beef I eat a day, he’d probably be the one to have a heart attack—and not me.

The lipid-heart hypothesis was cooked up by a man called Angel Keys in the 1940s. I say “cooked up,” because I mean to be disparaging. It was known to be nonsense from the start. Keys was a man with no claim to authority in the emerging field of nutritional science except the fact he had helped design the famous K-ration during the War.

His colleagues laughed at him when he suggested saturated fat was the cause of rising rates of heart disease in the Western world and especially America. Keys had gerrymandered the data—picked countries that showed a correlation between saturated-fat consumption and heart disease rates and flat out ignored the many countries that didn’t—and his fellow researchers knew it. The French, for example, eat and always have ate prodigious quantities of butter: Why didn’t they have the highest rates of heart disease in the world?

Keys didn’t have an answer, but he did have big money from the margarine industry, which needed some cherrypicked science to show its perverted spreadable muck was better for you than the animal fats we’ve all been eating since the dawn of time.

The money went a long way. So did President Eisenhower’s heart attack in the White House a few years later, which made heart disease a national-security issue in need of a ready-made industry-backed theory of causation.

The theory was given a further presidential imprimatur in the mid-‘60s, when rising inflation was proving a headache for Lyndon B. Johnson. People were complaining especially about the price of eggs. So what did Johnson do? He told the Surgeon General to issue a warning about eating eggs because of their cholesterol content. Problem solved.

To this day, eggs remain the only food in the US ever to have had a specific health warning attached to their consumption.

Over decades, conflicting data—of which there were huge amounts—was simply ignored or swept under the rug. Look up the Minnesota Coronary Experiment from the 1970s. When this expensive piece of gold-standard double blind testing completely disconfirmed the lipid-heart hypothesis—it actually showed that reducing cholesterol in your diet is more not less likely to kill you—the scientists threw the whole thing in the bin, where it remained for 30 years till some other scientists fished it out.

The lipid-heart hypothesis and its advocates promised us renewed health, the end of heart disease, if we just stopped eating eggs, bacon and buttered toast for breakfast and ate more plants and “heart healthy” fats like vegetable and seed oils. Of course, that didn’t happen. Yes, we abandoned eggs, bacon and butter, and increased the amounts of novel plant-based fats in our diets, but look at us now. We’re the unhealthiest we’ve ever been, and it’s only getting worse. Heart disease, far from disappearing, is now the leading cause of death in the US, killing 2,500 people a day.

Things could have been very different. In his 1939 book, Nutrition and Physical Degeneration, Weston A. Price showed that the healthiest societies around the world, whether in sub-Arctic Canada or Subsaharan Africa, prioritised nutrient-dense animal foods over all others. Foods like organ meat and fatty cuts, shellfish, eggs and dairy—foods rich in protein but also fats and, of course, cholesterol.

How different the history of the last hundred years might have been if Price’s book, and not the junk science of Angel Keys, had become the foundation of nutritional science. If we had paid attention to what the healthiest, most vibrant people actually ate, instead of believing industry-backed studies could tell us what nature, tradition and our own bodies had been telling us for hundreds of thousands of years.

Would the Make America Healthy Again crusade even be necessary now? Maybe not; although it’s not just changes to our diets that are making us all so ill. We’re exposed to toxic chemicals, to blue light, to electromagnetic radiation, to stress in ways that are totally novel in our history as a species.

Still, thanks to Make America Healthy Again, the Department of Health and Human Services is well placed to investigate the real causes of heart disease. Note the plural there: I think it’s far more likely there are multiple causes or aggravating factors at play.

One of them appears to be microplastics, those ubiquitous tiny little pieces of plastics we keep hearing more and more about.

As I reported today, a new study suggests a clear link between exposure to microplastics and the arterial plaques that cause heart disease.

Lab rats exposed to microplastics at concentrations found in the wider environment developed plaques in their arteries—the first stage of heart disease before a heart attack or stroke, when blood flow becomes restricted.

Notably, the rats didn’t gain weight and their cholesterol levels didn’t change.

Notable too is the fact that female rats were unaffected by the microplastics. The researchers think it could have something to do with increased levels of the “female” hormone estrogen; although that remains to be investigated.

This new study follows on from research published last year that looked at over 300 plaque samples from patients undergoing surgery in their neck arteries. The researchers found microplastics in 58% of the samples and, what’s more, they discovered that patients with microplastics in their plaques had a 4.5x higher risk of suffering a heart attack, stroke or dying of any cause over a period of nearly three years.

New population-level research, taking in over 100,000 US adults, also showed a significantly increased risk of stroke for those who live in coastal areas with higher levels of microplastic pollution.

Whatever the true causes of heart disease, the American medical establishment and the government owe it to the American people to find out. After all, they’re the ones who sold the cholesterol lie in the first place.