What Do We Know About the Microplastics Inside Us?
An interview with researcher Cassandra Rauert examines the widespread presence of microplastics in human organs, blood, and breast milk. While particles enter through food, water, and air, the long-term health effects remain unknown, underscoring the need for further research.
Background
- Microplastics are tiny plastic fragments (under 5 mm) that have been found in human blood, lungs, placentas, breast milk, and brains, from pollution of air, water, and food.
- Dr. Cassandra Rauert is a research scientist at the University of Birmingham (UK) who led a landmark 2023 study for the WHO that found microplastics in all tested human organs.
- The field is very new — scientists are only beginning to understand how these particles enter the body, where they accumulate, and whether they cause harm (inflammation, cell damage, etc.).
- This interview explains the current state of the science, key unknowns, and why the question matters for public health and environmental policy.