What's Up Docs? Doctors' Notes: Microplastics
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May 20, 2025 Dr. Stephanie Wright, a Senior Lecturer in Environmental Toxicology at Imperial College London, sheds light on the urgent issue of microplastics and their impact on human health. She discusses the emotional responses tied to plastic pollution and shares her journey from marine biology to focusing on microplastics. Topics include the hidden health crisis posed by microplastics in organs, the environmental dangers of ghost fishing, and the need for sound scientific communication to combat myths and misconceptions about plastic exposure.
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Stephanie’s Start in Microplastics
- Stephanie Wright entered microplastics research during her PhD starting in 2011 without prior knowledge of the topic.
- She had to quickly learn what microplastics were after being offered the project.
Widespread Presence of Microplastics in Humans
- Microplastics have been found in most human organs and body fluids studied so far.
- However, there are challenges in confirming biological plausibility for how larger particles enter these organs.
Avoid Unproven Plastic Tests
- Avoid paying for commercial microplastics body tests or tap water plastic filters; scientific methodology remains unreliable.
- Focus on policy actions like banning microbeads and installing filters in wastewater plants to reduce microplastic pollution.