Imagine if a product proven to leak microplastics into the body were launched today. Would responsible retailers stock it? Perhaps not – yet manufacturers continue to produce items that silently contribute to microplastic pollution, misleading consumers and posing a direct threat to public health.
Single-use plastics have long been in the spotlight as an environmental threat, but this is merely the tip of the iceberg. Beneath the surface lies a far more alarming crisis with serious implications for public health: microplastics. And the issue is fast gaining attention.
Microplastics infiltrate our lives
Microplastics, tiny fragments that result from the breakdown of synthetic polymers, have infiltrated nearly every facet of modern life. Recent studies have shown these particles are omnipresent in our surroundings and are accumulating inside our bodies.
Microplastics have been detected in and around vital organs including the blood, heart and lungs. Research published in Nature Medicine last month revealed human brain tissue contains roughly 10 times more microplastics than other organs – the equivalent of a whole spoonful of plastic. While research is in its early stages, studies suggest microplastic ingestion may contribute to infertility, strokes and heart attacks.
Hidden in plain sight
This situation is particularly alarming as these harmful particles are often hidden in plain sight. Many products, from packaging to everyday items, are designed in ways that disguise their contribution to microplastic pollution. Manufacturers and retailers continue to mislead consumers by selling items without directly disclosing their plastic contents and underlying environmental and health risks.
Chewing gum, for example, is a hidden source of microplastics. But nearly 90% of consumers remain unaware, as this plastic is concealed under the ingredient term ‘gum base’. Most gum is made from the same synthetic polymers found in car tyres and carrier bags, with every piece containing as much plastic as the already banned plastic straw.
This breaks down into microplastics when chewed. New research by Queen’s University Belfast confirms these particles can be ingested through saliva produced while chewing gum, with over a quarter of a million pieces of microplastics released from a single piece.
This issue isn’t limited to one product category. The pervasive nature of microplastic contamination means consumers are exposed through multiple channels, whether by ingesting microplastics in food or even from the liquids we drink. A recent UAB study has characterised how teabags release millions of nanoplastics and microplastics when infused. The research shows for the first time the capacity of these particles to be absorbed by the human intestine.
Systemic change
Consumers are increasingly informed and demand transparency about the products they purchase. As evidence against microplastics mounts, the choice for retailers is clear: continue offering products that compromise the health of humans and our planet, or start placing consumer welfare in line with corporate results.
Already, retailers have made a difference on single-use plastic. Waitrose’s decision to ban single-use plastic vapes on health and environmental grounds was recently followed by a full nationwide ban by the government, demonstrating that decisive action by responsible retailers can drive positive change.
Co-op’s recent survey of 10,000 members underscores the urgency of the issue. Among its customers, concern over food production is at an all-time high, with 78% actively reducing single-use plastic and 87% choosing healthier alternatives.
So as the tide turns on microplastics, I strongly encourage retailers to examine their product ranges and remove the items that contribute to the problem. Bold, decisive action is needed now to reverse the tide of contamination and build trust with consumers.
For the sake of our health and the future of our planet, retailers and manufacturers must act before the microplastics crisis becomes irreparable.
Keir Carnie is the founder of Nuud
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