Plastic Waste and Your Body

A sphere of plastic nanoparticles surrounds us all (tiny particles of plastic 100-1000 times smaller than the width of a human hair). They are in the clothes we wear, in the water we drink, in the food we eat, in the air we breathe, and in the rain that falls on us. They are also in our bodies and they may be modifying reproductive, brain, and immune functions in ways we are only now beginning to understand. We would be wise to pay attention to this emerging science.

A 2024 study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences used a new, high-powered laser imaging technology to analyze just how many nano-particles really are floating around in the average plastic bottle of water. They found that a liter of bottled water can contain an average of 240,000 tiny nano-particle fragments.

Once they get into your body, nanoplastics can move around to other parts of your body by crossing natural biological barriers that would normally block larger particles.  They are small enough to penetrate cell membranes and even pass through the blood-brain barrier or the placenta. Last year, CNN referenced an article in the Journal of Human Reproduction stating that microplastics were detected in 69% of the follicular fluid samples and 55% of the semen samples studied. Follicular fluid is the liquid that surrounds an egg in an ovarian follicle. Scientists are studying whether it is the chemicals from the plastic or the physical plastic itself, that poses the threat.

Much of the plastic waste in our environment comes from plastic packaging, single use plastic containers, and beverage bottles. If we are going to reduce this plastic threat we need to know a lot more about it. Where does it come from? Which product or types of products are responsible for the problem and need to be collected from the waste stream? A 2024 study found that 56 companies are responsible for 50% of plastic pollution.  The Coca-Cola Company products represent 11% of all plastic pollution, mostly single use beverage bottles, and PepsiCo follows closely with 5%. Single use plastic beverage bottles worldwide seem to be one of the largest sources of ingestion.

If you don't want to risk hurting yourself and your offspring from reproductive and other damage, minimizing the nanoplastic particles you and your family ingest is the most important step you can take. ACES strongly advises you to take steps to stop ingesting the plastic particles that are already in our food and water. Filter your drinking water from the tap. Avoid as much as possible drinking water or other beverages from single use plastic bottles because much of the plastic in them comes from the bottle itself. Stop buying, providing, and using single use beverage bottles including in all municipal and school buildings.

How are we supposed to understand and respond to this “never in human history” threat to our species? A 1931 science fiction story "The Shadow Over Innsmouth" begins in Newburyport when a student travels by bus south from Newburyport to Innsmouth, a fictional fishing village, and discovers a race of fish-like humanoids. These humanoids were brought to the area as young people from Pacific islands via trading voyages. The islanders had bred with marine creatures, producing hybrid offspring which have the appearance of normal humans but eventually slowly transform into ‘Deep Ones’. This is a fictional story of a cover up by officials as they try to keep the public calm about these revelations. But it is also a story of human mutation in a horrible and inconceivable way. Its scarier now than ever, as we begin to see the possibility of reproductive harm driven by the plastics that surround us.

Let’s not take that ‘bus’ towards Innsmouth. Let’s forestall human mutations due to plastic waste. Use non-plastic containers. Replace your plastic containers and utensils with glass, metal, or ceramic options. Avoid microwaving food in plastic canisters, as heat can release more plastic particles into the contents.  Be smart, be safe, reduce your plastic use and waste!

This educational column was originally published in The Daily News of Newburyport on February 6, 2026.

ACES invites you to read up on ideas to reduce plastics in your life at myplasticfreelife.com/plasticfreeguide and to stay updated on environmental matters by subscribing to our monthly newsletter on ACES’ website www.aces- alliance.org. Please consider joining our community of stewards committed to Make Every Day Earth Day by following our Instagram (@acesalliancenbpt) and Facebook (@ACESAlliance) pages to stay informed.