The Doctor's Kitchen Podcast #323 Microplastics, Pollution and Your Body: What You Need to Know | Dr. Stephanie Wright
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Nov 12, 2025 Dr. Stephanie Wright, an Associate Professor in Environmental Toxicology and a leading microplastic researcher at Imperial College London, discusses the alarming extent of microplastic exposure. They delve into how these particles enter our bodies through the air, food, and water, and their potential links to chronic inflammation and fertility issues. Stephanie reveals the complexities of plastic-additives and their health risks, offers tips for reducing exposure, and highlights the need for further research on microplastics' long-term effects on human health.
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Measurement Bias Hides Small Plastics
- Microplastics cover a wide size range and measurement methods bias toward larger particles.
- Toxicology focuses on smaller nanoplastics that are much harder to detect in environmental samples.
Chemicals And Additives Complicate Risk
- Microplastics include many polymer types plus numerous chemical additives with diverse effects.
- Most additives remain untested and mixtures may behave differently than single chemicals.
Plastic Is A Diverse Chemical Family
- 'Plastics' is an umbrella of polymers plus additives; different plastics serve distinct functions.
- Even plant-based polymers can be non-biodegradable and have similar risks depending on processing.