Microplastics in the Human Body: A Growing Concern for Our Health and Environment

Microplastics—the tiny plastic particles that have infiltrated our oceans and ecosystems—are now making their way into the human body. Recent studies have revealed that microplastics are not just an environmental issue; they are a public health concern as well. From our bloodstreams to our lungs, and even in the placentas of unborn children, these minuscule particles have been found in nearly every corner of the human body. As we ingest, inhale, and absorb microplastics daily through food, water, and air, researchers are beginning to unravel the potential long-term health impacts of this plastic infiltration. In this article, we delve into the latest research and disturbing facts about how microplastics are affecting us from the inside out—raising urgent questions about the future of human health in a plastic-filled world.

1. Microplastics in Personal Care Products

Many personal care products, including shampoos and conditioners, can contribute to microplastic pollution in several ways:

• Microbeads: While microbeads (tiny plastic particles) are largely banned in many countries (e.g., the Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015 in the U.S.), they were previously used in exfoliating products, including shampoos. These microbeads were small enough to pass through water filtration systems, entering waterways and potentially contributing to human microplastic exposure through water and food.
• Liquid Plastics (Silicones): Silicones, which are synthetic polymers, are commonly added to shampoos and conditioners for their smoothing and detangling properties. Silicones, like dimethicone and cyclopentasiloxane, are essentially liquid plastics. When washed down the drain, these can contribute to the microplastic load in water systems.
• Plastic Packaging: Most shampoos and conditioners come in plastic bottles. Over time, these bottles can degrade into microplastic particles. During use, small plastic particles may even be released from the packaging itself, though this is a topic that has not been fully explored in research.

2. Indirect Contribution to Microplastic Pollution

While no studies have conclusively proven that shampoos or silicones in shampoos directly result in microplastics being found in human tissues, there is strong evidence that plastic pollution from personal care products contributes to the broader issue of environmental microplastic contamination. This contamination can lead to human exposure through various routes:

• Water Contamination: Plastics and microplastics in water sources are a major concern. When you wash your hair, the silicones, microbeads (if present), and plastic packaging remnants can eventually enter the water supply. Even with wastewater treatment plants, many microplastics are too small to be filtered out, leading to contamination of rivers, oceans, and drinking water supplies. Humans can then be exposed to these microplastics through drinking water or eating seafood contaminated by plastic particles.

• Airborne Microplastics: Research has shown that microplastics can become airborne. It's possible that degraded plastic packaging or particles from personal care products could contribute to microplastics in the air. These airborne particles can then be inhaled, contributing to the microplastic load found in human lungs.

3. Silicone and Plastic Build-Up in the Environment

• Silicone Persistence: Silicones in shampoos and conditioners do not biodegrade easily. They can accumulate in the environment, contributing to long-term plastic pollution. Although silicones are not technically classified as microplastics, they share many of the same environmental concerns due to their persistence and potential to break down into smaller particles over time.
• Breakdown into Microplastics: Over time, plastic packaging and plastic additives in shampoos could degrade into microplastic fragments in the environment, contributing to the overall load of microplastics that humans are exposed to through food, water, and air.

4. Silicones and Plastic-Derived Chemicals in Human Bodies

• Chemical Additives: Silicones and plastics can carry toxic chemical additives, such as phthalates or bisphenol A (BPA), which are known endocrine disruptors. These chemicals can leach from plastic packaging and may accumulate in the human body. While research has primarily focused on the presence of these chemicals (rather than the plastics themselves) in the human body, it raises concerns about the broader impact of plastic-based personal care products on human health.

Existing Research on Microplastics in Humans

While research on the direct link between using silicone-based or plastic-packaged shampoos and finding microplastics in humans is still emerging, there has been a growing body of evidence highlighting the pervasive nature of microplastics in humans:

• Microplastics in Human Blood: Recent studies, like the 2022 Dutch study that found microplastics in human blood, suggest that it’s possible for microplastics from various sources (including personal care products) to enter the bloodstream. The study did not specifically trace microplastics back to shampoos or silicones, but it highlights the growing concern over everyday exposure through numerous sources.
• Microplastics in Human Lungs and Organs: Studies, such as the 2022 research on microplastics found in lungs and the 2020 study on microplastics in human organs, reinforce the possibility that we’re inadvertently consuming or inhaling microplastics from a wide range of sources, including personal care products.

While there isn’t direct research conclusively proving that microplastics found in human bodies are due to the use of plastic-packaged shampoos or silicones in shampoos, the evidence strongly suggests that personal care products—especially those containing silicones and packaged in plastic—contribute to microplastic pollution in the environment. This pollution, in turn, is linked to the introduction of microplastics into the human body through water, food, and air.

As awareness of the issue grows, there’s a clear need for more targeted research on the role of personal care products in contributing to microplastic exposure in humans, particularly through the use of silicone-based and plastic-packaged shampoos.

In the meantime, switching to plastic-free, silicone-free, and natural alternatives—like those offered by The Powder Shampoo—can help reduce your personal contribution to microplastic pollution and potentially lessen your exposure to harmful plastics.