Science Weekly What are microplastics doing to our health?
16 snips
Jul 8, 2025 Join Stephanie Wright, an Associate Professor of Environmental Toxicology at Imperial College London, as she dives into the controversial world of microplastics. Explore why celebrities like Orlando Bloom are opting for costly blood detox treatments. Discover the alarming presence of microplastics in human organs and the ongoing challenges in understanding their health impacts. Wright also offers practical tips on reducing exposure, emphasizing the importance of ongoing research in this critical area of public health.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Microplastics Ubiquitous in Humans
- Microplastics are found widespread inside the human body, including brain, bloodstream, and vital organs.
- Recent studies even detected microplastics in reproductive fluids, raising health concerns.
Microplastics Entry and Accumulation
- Microplastics enter the body mainly through ingestion and inhalation and accumulate without a single dominant organ.
- The liver might accumulate some due to its role in filtering blood, but evidence for brain accumulation is still uncertain.
Size Matters for Toxicity
- Nanoplastics are smaller particles with greater surface area, making them more likely to be toxic.
- Smaller plastics penetrate cells more easily and can redistribute, increasing adverse health effects.