Human brain tissue contains far higher concentrations of microplastics than liver or kidney tissue, and researchers found the burden increased sharply between 2016 and 2024.
According to Greenpeace, 1.5 million birds, fish, whales, and turtles die each year due to marine pollution. In the North Pacific alone, it is estimated that 30% of fish have ingested plastic during their life cycle, with devastating effects on their growth and development, and damage to critical habitats such as coral reefs. According to data from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), approximately 100,000 marine animals die every year.
In every square kilometer of ocean, there are more than 46,000 plastic bags that take over 1,000 years to decompose, with debris reaching depths of up to 1,500 meters. Every day, eight million tons of waste end up in the ocean.
According to the World Economic Forum, if current plastic consumption rates continue, by 2050 there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean. Just five Asian countries (China, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia) are responsible for 60% of the plastic in the oceans.
Microplastics in seals and polar bears in Antarctica. Chain of transmission: Base (algae) to fish to seals to bears. Each level concentrates more pollutants
The goal is to reduce plastics and take action against existing ones. The Ocean Cleanup, founded by Boyan Slat, has evolved considerably in recent years. It is not a static system: it is continuously being optimized. These are the key improvements:
--They have moved from passive systems to active barriers towed by ships (System 002 and 003).
--The new versions are longer (up to ~2.2 km) and capture more plastic per operation.
--The retention mesh has been improved to allow fish and marine life to escape. They have also found that only about 1% of rivers generate 80% of ocean plastic. That's why they developed "Interceptors," automatic systems for rivers. This is key: turning off the tap before the plastic reaches the sea.
By 2026, they had removed over 45 million kg of plastic. Goal: To remove 90% of floating plastic by 2040.
BENEFICIAL COMPONENTS OF VEGETABLES AGAINST MICROPLASTICS
Fiber (pectins, cellulose, beta-glucans) can increase intestinal viscosity, trap hydrophobic particles and compounds, and reduce contact time with the mucosa. It also traps heavy metals and organic toxins.
Microplastics affect the gut microbiome. Polyphenols (flavonoids, catechins, etc.) can reduce intestinal inflammation, protect the epithelial barrier, and modulate the microbiota. This could decrease intestinal permeability and reduce the passage of nanoparticles.
Anthocyanins, potent bioactive compounds abundant in berries and many other pigmented edible plants, have garnered significant interest for their beneficial health properties, especially in relation to the gut microbiota. The protective role of anthocyanins against the disruption of the gut microbiota caused by microplastics, environmental pollutants that have generated increasing concern in recent years due to their impact on ecosystems and human health, is a key area of research. Through a synthesis of current research, this article explores the mechanisms by which anthocyanins can exert their beneficial effects, mitigating the negative health effects of microplastic ingestion. It also analyzes the potential application of functional foods and anthocyanin-rich supplements as a strategy to preserve gut health in the face of growing environmental challenges.
It is estimated that humans ingest approximately 2.93 × 10⁵ microplastic particles per year through diet alone. The main sources identified in 2026 include salt, drinking water, seafood, and, surprisingly, fruits and vegetables that absorb particles through their roots. It is estimated that the average adult consumes between 11,500 and 3,800,000 microplastic particles per year through protein alone, depending on their diet. Washing rice and choosing fresh (unprocessed) foods can reduce annual intake by 70–80%.
7 Foods and Beverages That Have the Most Microplastics
Then we have the other "whoopsie" the chemical leaching behaving like hormones, what not. Turn off all the plastics today and its at least 1,000 years before it all breaks down. By then if any humans to survive most likely will have evolved to actually need to have plastic to survive. 🙄🙄🙄
Yes Just, A grim future awaits the next generations. Humanity faces a world filled with plastic pollution. Global plastic production has doubled in the last two decades. Microplastics can be found in various environmental compartments, such as oceans, rivers, lakes, soil, air, and even in living organisms. Scientists estimate that there are between 8 and 10 million metric tons of plastic in the oceans, some of which is ingested by fish and other wildlife. Microplastics have been detected in fruits and vegetables, plastic water bottles, the air, cosmetics, and household dust.
The invention of synthetic plastic polymers in the early 20th century radically transformed almost every aspect of our daily lives. From building materials to medical devices and food packaging, plastic is present throughout our modern existence. Its broad applicability, durability, and cost-effectiveness have led to its widespread adoption in countless applications. Plastic is not a single substance, but a generic term encompassing seven main classes of hydrocarbon polymers. Plastic becomes pollution when it enters the environment, where it can impact environmental health through physical or toxicological damage. It is expected that approximately 710 million metric tons of global plastic pollution will be generated between 2016 and 2040. Plastic pollution will become more abundant by cumulative mass than all life on Earth, with a plethora of potential negative consequences at all scales of biological organization, from the molecular and cellular level to the population and ecosystem level.
Nanoplastics can pass through tissues and even penetrate cell membranes or be actively ingested. Nanoplastics have been discovered in multiple human tissues, including the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, blood, heart, testes, placenta, breast milk, and brain. As we have reported, plastic accumulation has increased in recent decades, as evidenced by the rise in nanoplastics in the brains of deceased individuals from the 2000s to the 2020s. The effects of microplastic pollution on these organs can include inflammation, oxidative stress, and impaired organ function, causing a variety of health problems, including cancers, metabolic disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and fertility issues. There is an emerging link between microplastic (MP) exposure and the development of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. MPs appear capable of triggering neurotoxic pathways, including the activation of resident immune cells in the brain, oxidative stress, disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuronal damage.
Interesting question, Esther. The interaction between microplastics and DMSO is an emerging topic in environmental toxicology. The available evidence does not study “microplastics + DMSO inside the human body,” but it does examine how DMSO extracts, solubilizes, and mobilizes substances present in microplastics, and what this implies for toxicity.
The key idea: DMSO acts as a solvent that releases contaminants trapped in microplastics, increasing their bioavailability and potential toxicity.
Studies show that when microplastics are treated with DMSO, it extracts additives, plasticizers, and environmental contaminants that the microplastics have adsorbed. These include:
• Phthalates
• Bisphenols
• Heavy metals
• Pesticides
• Pharmaceuticals and personal care product contaminants. A 2025 study specifically evaluated extracts of microplastics dissolved in DMSO and found that these extracts were toxic to human cell lines. This indicates that DMSO releases harmful compounds that were trapped in the plastics, increasing their biological effect.
Microplastics alone already cause:
• Oxidative stress
• Inflammation
• Disruption of the gut-liver-brain axis
• Immune system alterations
This is well documented in recent studies from 2026.
If a solvent like DMSO, which solubilizes and transports molecules, is added to this, a potentially more toxic scenario arises:
1) Increased release of contaminants
DMSO can detach and solubilize chemicals attached to microplastics, making them more bioavailable.
2) Increased cellular penetration
DMSO easily crosses membranes. If it carries contaminants released from microplastics, it facilitates their entry into cells and tissues.
3) Toxic synergy
Microplastics already generate inflammation and oxidative stress. The contaminants released by DMSO can enhance these mechanisms, especially in:
• Central nervous system
• Liver
• Intestine
4) Adsorption of other toxins
Microplastics act as “sponges” for environmental contaminants. DMSO can release these toxins and increase their effect, as observed in studies on the adsorption of pesticides and pharmaceuticals onto microplastics.
This does not mean that DMSO “worsens” the effects of microplastics within the body (there are no direct studies), but it does mean that in the laboratory, when combined, DMSO exhibits greater toxicity because it extracts the toxins that microplastics carry.
According to Greenpeace, 1.5 million birds, fish, whales, and turtles die each year due to marine pollution. In the North Pacific alone, it is estimated that 30% of fish have ingested plastic during their life cycle, with devastating effects on their growth and development, and damage to critical habitats such as coral reefs. According to data from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), approximately 100,000 marine animals die every year.
https://www.greenpeace.org/international/story/11871/the-ocean-plastic-crisis/
https://www.noaa.gov/resource-collections/ocean-pollution----------------------------------------------------------
In every square kilometer of ocean, there are more than 46,000 plastic bags that take over 1,000 years to decompose, with debris reaching depths of up to 1,500 meters. Every day, eight million tons of waste end up in the ocean.
https://www.surfrider.eu/en/about-us/organisation/
https://www.surfrider.eu/en/surfrider-publishes-its-white-paper-for-a-plastic-bottle-free-ocean/-------------
According to the World Economic Forum, if current plastic consumption rates continue, by 2050 there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean. Just five Asian countries (China, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia) are responsible for 60% of the plastic in the oceans.
https://www.weforum.org/press/2016/01/more-plastic-than-fish-in-the-ocean-by-2050-report-offers-blueprint-for-change/
Microplastics in seals and polar bears in Antarctica. Chain of transmission: Base (algae) to fish to seals to bears. Each level concentrates more pollutants
https://journals.macewan.ca/studentresearch/article/view/2638?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://www.sciencedirect.com/org/science/article/pii/S2368746024000024?utm_source=chatgpt.com--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ENGINEERING ACTIONS AGAINST PLASTICS
The goal is to reduce plastics and take action against existing ones. The Ocean Cleanup, founded by Boyan Slat, has evolved considerably in recent years. It is not a static system: it is continuously being optimized. These are the key improvements:
--They have moved from passive systems to active barriers towed by ships (System 002 and 003).
--The new versions are longer (up to ~2.2 km) and capture more plastic per operation.
--The retention mesh has been improved to allow fish and marine life to escape. They have also found that only about 1% of rivers generate 80% of ocean plastic. That's why they developed "Interceptors," automatic systems for rivers. This is key: turning off the tap before the plastic reaches the sea.
By 2026, they had removed over 45 million kg of plastic. Goal: To remove 90% of floating plastic by 2040.
https://theoceancleanup.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://theoceancleanup.com/updates/system-03-a-beginners-guide/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://www.meer.com/es/106425-the-ocean-cleanup-eliminar-el-plastico-de-los-oceanos?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ocean_Cleanup?utm_source=chatgpt.com----------------------------------------------------------------------
COMPARATIVE TABLE OF PLASTICS IN FOOD
Comparison table: plastics in fresh vs. processed foods
🥬 Fresh (vegetables, fruits) Vegetables, fruits. Low–moderate
🐟 Fresh (fish/seafood), Moderate–high. 0–183 particles/g
🥛 Fresh (raw milk). Low–moderate, 3–11 particles/L
🍯 Processed (honey), Commercial honey. High, 40–698 particles/kg (up to thousands)
🍺 Processed (beverages), Beer, Variable. 0–254 particles/L
🥛 Processed (dairy) Processed milk, Moderate, 16–53 particles/kg
🧂 Processed (salt/sugar), Sugar, salt, High. ~249 particles/kg
🐟🥫 Processed (canned) fish. High, Higher than fresh (up to 2660 µg/kg)
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40550-022-00093-6/tables/3?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/topics/microplastics-and-nanoplastics-food?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7559051/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0956713525004347?utm_source=chatgpt.com-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BENEFICIAL COMPONENTS OF VEGETABLES AGAINST MICROPLASTICS
Fiber (pectins, cellulose, beta-glucans) can increase intestinal viscosity, trap hydrophobic particles and compounds, and reduce contact time with the mucosa. It also traps heavy metals and organic toxins.
Microplastics affect the gut microbiome. Polyphenols (flavonoids, catechins, etc.) can reduce intestinal inflammation, protect the epithelial barrier, and modulate the microbiota. This could decrease intestinal permeability and reduce the passage of nanoparticles.
Anthocyanins, potent bioactive compounds abundant in berries and many other pigmented edible plants, have garnered significant interest for their beneficial health properties, especially in relation to the gut microbiota. The protective role of anthocyanins against the disruption of the gut microbiota caused by microplastics, environmental pollutants that have generated increasing concern in recent years due to their impact on ecosystems and human health, is a key area of research. Through a synthesis of current research, this article explores the mechanisms by which anthocyanins can exert their beneficial effects, mitigating the negative health effects of microplastic ingestion. It also analyzes the potential application of functional foods and anthocyanin-rich supplements as a strategy to preserve gut health in the face of growing environmental challenges.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s44360-025-00025-6?utm_source=chatgpt.com (2026)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40907680/ (2025)
https://www.maxapress.com/article/id/685ca5ddfa6c5854b3e7f8bc?utm_source=chatgpt.com (2024)
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12876-025-04140-2?utm_source=chatgpt.com (2025)
MICROPLASTICS IN FOOD
It is estimated that humans ingest approximately 2.93 × 10⁵ microplastic particles per year through diet alone. The main sources identified in 2026 include salt, drinking water, seafood, and, surprisingly, fruits and vegetables that absorb particles through their roots. It is estimated that the average adult consumes between 11,500 and 3,800,000 microplastic particles per year through protein alone, depending on their diet. Washing rice and choosing fresh (unprocessed) foods can reduce annual intake by 70–80%.
7 Foods and Beverages That Have the Most Microplastics
https://superage.com/7-foods-and-beverages-that-have-the-most-microplastics-and-what-to-eat-instead/
https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/environment-sustainability/research-finds-microplastics-are-almost-equally-present-in-all-protein-types-not-just-seafood?utm_source=marketo&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter&utm_content=newsletter (2024)
https://oceanconservancy.org/work/plastics/microplastics-research/
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/400111646_Human_Exposure_to_Microplastics_from_Food-Contact_and_Daily-Contact_Materials_Current_Evidence_and_Perspectives (2026)
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12620896/ (2025)
https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8929/5/1
Then we have the other "whoopsie" the chemical leaching behaving like hormones, what not. Turn off all the plastics today and its at least 1,000 years before it all breaks down. By then if any humans to survive most likely will have evolved to actually need to have plastic to survive. 🙄🙄🙄
Yes Just, A grim future awaits the next generations. Humanity faces a world filled with plastic pollution. Global plastic production has doubled in the last two decades. Microplastics can be found in various environmental compartments, such as oceans, rivers, lakes, soil, air, and even in living organisms. Scientists estimate that there are between 8 and 10 million metric tons of plastic in the oceans, some of which is ingested by fish and other wildlife. Microplastics have been detected in fruits and vegetables, plastic water bottles, the air, cosmetics, and household dust.
The invention of synthetic plastic polymers in the early 20th century radically transformed almost every aspect of our daily lives. From building materials to medical devices and food packaging, plastic is present throughout our modern existence. Its broad applicability, durability, and cost-effectiveness have led to its widespread adoption in countless applications. Plastic is not a single substance, but a generic term encompassing seven main classes of hydrocarbon polymers. Plastic becomes pollution when it enters the environment, where it can impact environmental health through physical or toxicological damage. It is expected that approximately 710 million metric tons of global plastic pollution will be generated between 2016 and 2040. Plastic pollution will become more abundant by cumulative mass than all life on Earth, with a plethora of potential negative consequences at all scales of biological organization, from the molecular and cellular level to the population and ecosystem level.
Nanoplastics can pass through tissues and even penetrate cell membranes or be actively ingested. Nanoplastics have been discovered in multiple human tissues, including the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, blood, heart, testes, placenta, breast milk, and brain. As we have reported, plastic accumulation has increased in recent decades, as evidenced by the rise in nanoplastics in the brains of deceased individuals from the 2000s to the 2020s. The effects of microplastic pollution on these organs can include inflammation, oxidative stress, and impaired organ function, causing a variety of health problems, including cancers, metabolic disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and fertility issues. There is an emerging link between microplastic (MP) exposure and the development of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. MPs appear capable of triggering neurotoxic pathways, including the activation of resident immune cells in the brain, oxidative stress, disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuronal damage.
PREVENT TOXIC CHEMICAL EXPOSURES AT HOME
https://prhe.ucsf.edu/toxic-matters
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0929139322002839 (2023).---
https://www.cell.com/heliyon/pdf/S2405-8440(23)00503-0.pdf (2023).----
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/ebiom/article/PIIS2352-3964(23)00467-X/fulltext (2023).--
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0304389424006332 (2024).--
https://www.aamc.org/news/microplastics-are-inside-us-all-what-does-mean-our-health (2024),..
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772906024004011 (2024).--
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10311-024-01734-2 (2024).--
https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4849245 (2024).--
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/15/13/3323 (2024).--
https://journals.uniscipub.com/Wjebs/article/view/181 (2025)
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11010-025-05428-3 (2025)
https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.1201/9781003644309-11/plastic-pollution-cancer-niketha-manoj-shabina-ashraf (2026)
https://mail.bwjournal.org/index.php/bsjournal/article/view/3773 (2026)
https://www.jci.org/articles/view/203775 (2026).-
The other Mercola post today is about DMSO as a painkiller. I wonder what the interaction is between microplastics and DMSO?
Interesting question, Esther. The interaction between microplastics and DMSO is an emerging topic in environmental toxicology. The available evidence does not study “microplastics + DMSO inside the human body,” but it does examine how DMSO extracts, solubilizes, and mobilizes substances present in microplastics, and what this implies for toxicity.
The key idea: DMSO acts as a solvent that releases contaminants trapped in microplastics, increasing their bioavailability and potential toxicity.
Studies show that when microplastics are treated with DMSO, it extracts additives, plasticizers, and environmental contaminants that the microplastics have adsorbed. These include:
• Phthalates
• Bisphenols
• Heavy metals
• Pesticides
• Pharmaceuticals and personal care product contaminants. A 2025 study specifically evaluated extracts of microplastics dissolved in DMSO and found that these extracts were toxic to human cell lines. This indicates that DMSO releases harmful compounds that were trapped in the plastics, increasing their biological effect.
Microplastics alone already cause:
• Oxidative stress
• Inflammation
• Disruption of the gut-liver-brain axis
• Immune system alterations
This is well documented in recent studies from 2026.
If a solvent like DMSO, which solubilizes and transports molecules, is added to this, a potentially more toxic scenario arises:
1) Increased release of contaminants
DMSO can detach and solubilize chemicals attached to microplastics, making them more bioavailable.
2) Increased cellular penetration
DMSO easily crosses membranes. If it carries contaminants released from microplastics, it facilitates their entry into cells and tissues.
3) Toxic synergy
Microplastics already generate inflammation and oxidative stress. The contaminants released by DMSO can enhance these mechanisms, especially in:
• Central nervous system
• Liver
• Intestine
4) Adsorption of other toxins
Microplastics act as “sponges” for environmental contaminants. DMSO can release these toxins and increase their effect, as observed in studies on the adsorption of pesticides and pharmaceuticals onto microplastics.
This does not mean that DMSO “worsens” the effects of microplastics within the body (there are no direct studies), but it does mean that in the laboratory, when combined, DMSO exhibits greater toxicity because it extracts the toxins that microplastics carry.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651324016804 (2025)
https://theconversation.com/microplasticos-en-el-cerebro-como-llegan-alli-que-hacen-y-como-deshacerse-de-ellos-249286 (2025)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772416626002056 (2026)