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Thomas Verny is a clinical psychiatrist, academic, award-winning author, poet and public speaker. He is the author of eight books, including the global bestseller The Secret Life of the Unborn Child and 2021’s The Embodied Mind: Understanding the Mysteries of Cellular Memory, Consciousness and Our Bodies.

In the 1967 film, The Graduate, Dustin Hoffman portrays a 21-year-old young man contemplating his future. A family friend pulls him aside and earnestly suggests that he should pursue a career in “plastics.” Though hardly anyone paid attention then, the advice turned out to be remarkably prophetic – and oblivious to its dire unintended consequences.

Less than 60 years later, plastics are everywhere. Relatively inexpensive and versatile, they are used in packaging, textiles, foams, car parts, cosmetics, home appliances, toys, bottles, automobile tires, paint … in fact, there is hardly anything manufactured or shipped that does not contain plastic. Excessive reliance on and improper disposal of plastics have gradually led to ever-increasing plastic pollution of the land, oceans and air.

Global plastic use is projected to grow from about 9.2 billion tons in 2017 to 34 billion tons in 2050. [1]. Even if we stopped the production of plastics entirely, the breakdown of plastics already in our environment into toxic particles will continue.

Plastic is a synthetic or semi-synthetic polymer with numerous physicochemical properties, and its fragmentation can give rise to particles that can enter our ecosystem, where a process of constant breakdown facilitates their dispersion and absorption by different species, affecting multiple organs and systems. As if that was not concerning enough, we are now finding that the plastic debris can degrade into microplastics, that is, particles less than five millimetres in length, or even smaller nanoplastics, 1-100 nanometres in length, a size invisible to our eyes. I shall refer to them henceforth as MNPs.

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Recently, delegates from 180 nations met at the United Nations office in Geneva to end the plastic pollution of the world. One hundred nations favoured a treaty that would reduce the reckless growth of plastic production and put global, legally binding controls on toxic chemicals used to make plastics. Since plastics are made mostly from fuels such as oil and gas, the United States and other oil-producing countries including Saudi Arabia, successfully opposed any limit on the productions of plastics. Upon adjournment, Bjorn Beeler, co-ordinator for the International Pollutants Elimination Network said, “Consensus is dead.” [2].

Twenty years ago, a paper published in the journal Science revealed the buildup of tiny plastic particles and fibres in the environment, coining the term “microplastics.” [3]. The widespread presence of MNPs in humans and the remotest parts of our planet has now been demonstrated in 7,000 studies.[4]. MNPs have been detected in more than 1,300 animal species, including fish, mammals, birds and insects. [5].

This August, just before the failed meeting in Geneva, an international group of experts summarized the current state of knowledge in the Lancet, one of the most reputable medical journals in the world. “There is no understating the magnitude of both the climate crisis and the plastic crisis,” said Philip Landrigan, the chief investigator. “They are both causing disease, death and disability today in tens of thousands of people, and these harms will become more severe in the years ahead as the planet continues to warm and plastic production continues to increase.”

MNPs are in the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat including seafood, table salt, honey, sugar, beer and tea. The scientific evidence of their harmful effects on all living beings is emerging. The problem has never been more pressing. [6].

Of course, not everyone in the scientific community agrees with Dr. Landrigan. In his book, Shattering The Plastics Illusion: Exposing Environmental Myths, Chris DeArmitt argues that unfounded claims distort the public’s perception of plastics. [7].He refers to studies such asone by theU. S. Food and Drug Administration that states: “the presence of environmentally derived microplastics and nanoplastics in food alone does not indicate a risk and does not violate FDA regulations unless it creates a health concern.” [8]. Unless it creates a health concern? How strange that the FDA has managed to stay utterly blind and deaf to the existence of myriad health concerns.

Plastics contain complex mixtures of chemicals, including the polymer backbone and additives, as well as unreacted starting substances, residual processing aids and non-intentionally added substances such as impurities and reaction byproducts. These chemicals can be released throughout the entire plastic life cycle. A study from Norway identified 4,219 chemicals of concern, representing one-quarter of all known plastic chemicals. These are persistent, bio-cumulative, mobile or toxic. Considering that 10,726 plastic chemicals lack official hazard classifications by regulatory agencies or industry, it stands to reason that there could be more chemicals of concern in plastics than the ones identified here. [9]. Additionally, uncontrolled landfilling or incineration can further exacerbate chemical releases. [10].

MNPs impact the feeding and digestive capabilities of marine organisms, as well as hinder the development of plant roots and leaves. [11].Healthy and sustainable ecosystems depend on the proper functioning of microbiota; however, MNPs disrupt the balance of microbiota. [12].

Other threats arise from chemicals in plastic such as BPA, phthalates and heavy metals like lead known or suspected to cause disruption to nervous, reproductive and immune systems, cell death by oxidative stress (an imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants), lung and liver impairments, inflammation and altered lipid and hormone metabolism. [13].

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For animals, the physical properties of plastics may lead to harm such as blocked intestines. Animals are also injured when the plastics they ingest release the chemicals they contain.Some marine organisms seem to be eating more plastics and fewer nutrients. All this can be passed up the food chain to humans.

While we eliminate some MNPs through urine, feces and exhalation, many persist in our bodies forever. What happens once they enter our bodies is a question that worries a growing number of scientists and clinicians.

Some of the substances in plastics act as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). This is a very serious threat to our health because EDCs have been linked to declining sperm counts, altered puberty timing, infertility and developmental abnormalities in the reproductive organs. [14].

A review of maternal cell transport by way of the placenta (prenatally) and breast milk (postnatally) has shown that MNPs and many classes of EDCs can cross the neonatal gut, enter circulation and settle in various organs of offspring including the brain. [15,16, 17]. During pregnancy, maternal exposure to MNPs and EDCs may affect fetal growth, brain development, and long-term disease risk. [18].

Early-life exposure in children is particularly concerning, as hormonal systems are still developing, making them more vulnerable to permanent effects. Recent studies highlight the potential for MNP exposure during the perinatal and early-life periods to disrupt neurodevelopmental health. [19].

EDCs are also associated with metabolic disorders such as obesity, diabetes and thyroid dysfunction, since they can alter energy balance and glucose regulation. [20].

Neurodevelopmental outcomes, including attention deficits, lower IQ and behavioural changes, have been reported in populations with high exposure. [21]. Furthermore, some EDCs, like bisphenol A and certain pesticides, are suspected carcinogens, raising apprehension about increased cancer risk. [22].

MNPs enter our bodies by way of contact with our skin, inhalation or ingestion. Depending on how they gain access to the body and where they lodge, MNPs can cause various illnesses in humans. Because of their small size they can penetrate many of the body’s natural defence barriers. MNPs accumulate in the respiratory system, digestive and circulatory systems, liver, spleen and brain. [22]. MNPs have been identified in virtually every human tissue, including placenta, sputum, breast milk, sperm and testicles [20, 21, 22].

In March of this year, according to preliminary findings presented at the American Heart Association’s Vascular Discovery 2025 ScientificSessions, people with plaque buildup in their carotid arteries carry greater amounts of microplastic particles in those arteries than individuals with healthy vessels. The levels were especially elevated among those who had suffered a stroke, transient ischemic attack or short-term vision loss linked to blocked arteries. [23].

When MNPs successfully enter the central nervous system through the blood circulation, cerebrospinal fluid or the olfactory nerve [24], they trigger a cascading series of pathological events. The primary mechanisms identified are the induction of oxidative stress, robust neuroinflammatory responses, mitochondrial dysfunction and direct structural damage to neurons and synaptic connections. [25]. Over time, this chain reaction of pathological events precipitates alterations in neurotransmitter balance, impaired neurogenesis and accelerated neurodegenerative processes.

Plastic pollution in some lakes, reservoirs is more concentrated than in oceanic regions, study finds

After entering the central nervous system, MNPs do not distribute evenly. Evidence indicates they accumulate in the hippocampus, amygdala, cerebral cortex and substantia nigra. These structures are essential for cognition, emotional regulation and motor control. Their damage accounts for cognitive and behavioural impairments documented in numerous experimental studies. [26].

While organs such as the liver and kidneys are efficient in excreting foreign compounds, the brain appears less capable of eliminating MNPs leading to a gradual buildup over time. The brain is affected not only by direct MNPs presence but also by remote inflammatory signals originating in the gut, thereby introducing a secondary, system-wide pathway for neurotoxicity. [27].

A 2025 mouse study [28] found that MNPs may act as powerful environmental agents that, when combined with a genetic susceptibility, can accelerate the onset and progression of conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. This has profound implications for public health, suggesting that MNP exposure is a modifiable risk factor for neurodegenerative disease progression like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

R. A. Carlos recently reported on an alarming five-fold increase in the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) on the island of Guam from 2016 to 2022. He reviewed 95 studies and concluded that the increased trend paralleled the widespread exposure of young children to microplastics. [29].

Through progressive damage to brain regions involved in learning, memory, emotional regulation, anxiety and motor control, MNPs erode the neural substrates underlying behaviour and psychological health. Although they may not directly produce clinical “personality changes,” current evidence indicates that MNPs induce a spectrum of neurobiological and functional impairments that are likely to manifest as marked shifts in cognition, mood and behaviour. [30, 31].

Today, less than 10 per cent of plastic is recycled. [6]. There is much work to be done. Each one of us should avoid anything plastic. Governments at all levels need to impel plastics manufacturers to disclose their chemical composition, and redesign them so that they do not release microplastics or known chemicals of concern. Microplastic pollution is the result of human actions and decisions. We created the problem and now we must create the solution.

1. Dokl, M., Copot, A., Aviso, K. B., … & Čuček, L. (2024). Global projections of plastic use, end-of-life fate and potential changes in consumption, reduction, recycling and replacement with bioplastics to 2050. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 51, 498-518

2. Yale, (2025). Once Again, Oil States Thwart Agreement on Plastics. E360 Digest.

3. Thompson, R. C., Olsen, Y., John, A. W., … & Russell, A. E. (2004). Lost at sea: where is all the plastic? Science, 304(5672), 838-838.

4. Raubenheimer, Karen (2024). 7,000 Microplastics Studies Show We Have One Really Big Problem, The Conversation.

5. Santos, R. G., Machovsky-Capuska, G. E., & Andrades, R. (2021). Plastic ingestion as an evolutionary trap: Toward a holistic understanding. Science, 373(6550), 56-60.

6. Landrigan, P. J., Dunlop, S., C., Muncke, J., … & Rocklöv, J. (2025). The Lancet Countdown on health and plastics. The Lancet.

7. Gedde, Ulf W. Professor Emeritus, – KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden.

8. U. S. Food and Drug Administration (07/24/2024). Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Foods.

9. Monclús, L., Arp, H. P. H., Muncke, J., … & Wagner, M. (2025). Mapping the chemical complexity of plastics. Nature, 643(8071), 349-355.

10. Cook, E., Velis, C. A. & Cottom, J. W. Scaling up resource recovery of plastics in the emergent circular economy to prevent plastic pollution: assessment of risks to health and safety in the Global South. Waste Manag. Res. 40, 1680–170.

11. Jeong, E., Lee, J. Y., & Redwan, M. (2024). Animal exposure to microplastics and health effects: A review. Emerging Contaminants, 10(4), 100369.

12. Thin, Z. S., Chew, J., Raja Ali, R. A., & Gew, L. T. (2025). Impact of microplastics on the human gut microbiome: a systematic review of microbial composition, diversity, and metabolic disruptions. BMC gastroenterology, 25(1), 583.

13. Lalrinfela, P., Vanlalsangi, R., Lalrinzuali, K., & Babu, P. J. (2024). Microplastics: Their effects on the environment, human health, and plant ecosystems. Environmental Pollution and Management.

14. Gore, A. C., Chappell, V. A, Prins, G. S., … Zoeller, R. T. (2015). EDC-2: The Endocrine Society’s second scientific statement on endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Endocrine Reviews, 36(6), E1–E150.

15. Malinská, N., et al. (2024). Maternal-Fetal Microchimerism: Impacts on Offspring’s Immunity and Development. Physiological Research, 73(3), 315.

16. Kim, J. H., Shin, H. S., & Lee, W. H. (2021). Impact of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in breast milk on postpartum depression in Korean mothers. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(9), 4444.

17. Saraluck A., et al. (2024). Detection of Microplastics in Human Breast Milk and Its Association with Microbiota. Journal of clinical medicine, 13(14), 4029.

18. Bergman, Å., Heindel, J. J., Kidd, K. A., & Zoeller, R. T. (Eds.). (2013). State of the science of endocrine disrupting chemicals – 2012. United Nations Environment Programme and World Health Organization.

19. Ragusa, A., Fanos, V., & Mussap, M. (2025). Microplastics and nanoplastics in the brain: a review of the neurodevelopmental risks. Journal of Pediatric and Neonatal Individualized Medicine, 14(2), e140206.

20. Heindel, J. J., Newbold, R., Schug, T. T., & Skakkebaek, N. E. (2017). Endocrine disruptors and obesity. Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 13(11), 653–661

21. Trasande, L., Zoeller, R. T., Myers, J. P., … Heindel, J. J. (2016). Estimating burden and disease costs of exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals in the European Union. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 100(4), 1245–1255.

22. Gore, A. C., Chappell, V. A, Prins, G. S., … Zoeller, R. T. (2015). EDC-2: The Endocrine Society’s second scientific statement on endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Endocrine Reviews, 36(6), E1–E150. https://doi.org/10.1210/er.2015-1010

23. Science News from #VascularDiscovery25

24. Prüst, M., Meijer, J., Westerink, R. H. S., & Tran, L. (2020). The plastic brain: Neurotoxicity of micro- and nanoplastics. Particle and Fibre Toxicology, 17(1), 24.

25. Sharma, S., & Chatterjee, S. (2017). Microplastic pollution, a threat to marine ecosystem and human health: A short review. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 24(27), 21530–21547

26. Baroni, A., Moulton, C., Belli, M., & Tasciotti, E. (2025). Nano-and Microplastics in the Brain: An Emerging Threat to Neural Health. Nanomaterials, 15(17), 1361.

27.Fang, C., et al.(2023). Microplastics exposure disturbs gut microbiota and induces neuroinflammation in mice. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 443, 130218.

28. Dai, Anqi, Xudong Liu, Qi, Yan Zeng, and Jinquan Li. (2025). “Co-exposure to ozone and polystyrene nanoplastic exacerbates cognitive impairment and anxiety-like behavior by regulating neuronal pyroptosis in mice.” Environment International.

29. Carlos, R. A. (2023). Microplastics and Autism: A plausible link. In ISEE Conference Abstracts (Vol. 2023, No. 1).

30. Moiniafshari, K., Zanut, A., Bogialli, S., & Monikh, F. A. (2025). A perspective on the potential impact of microplastics and nanoplastics on the human central nervous system. Environmental Science: Nano, 12(3), 1809-18202.

31. Wang, Y., et al. (2024). Neurobehavioral alterations induced by chronic nanoplastic exposure in mice: Involvement of oxidative stress and neurotransmitter imbalance.