A new study has revealed that severe microplastic pollution in U.S. coastal waters may be linked to higher rates of serious health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, stroke, and coronary artery disease—conditions related to plaque buildup in the heart’s blood vessels.
“This is one of the first large-scale studies suggesting that living near microplastic-contaminated water may be associated with chronic health conditions,” said Dr. Sarju Ganatra, senior author of the study and director of sustainable medicine at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center in Burlington, Massachusetts.
“Although the study focused on ocean water, microplastic pollution isn’t confined to the sea. It’s in our drinking water, the food we eat—especially seafood—and even the air we breathe,” Ganatra added.
However, Kimberly Wise White, vice president of regulatory and scientific affairs at the American Chemistry Council, cautioned that the study relied on broad correlations with marine data within 200 nautical miles and did not establish a causal link to individual health outcomes. “Understanding microplastics is a complex global challenge. Our focus remains on solutions that prevent plastic from becoming pollution—like expanding recycling, improving waste collection, and designing products that are less prone to fragmenting into microplastics,” she stated in an email.
What Are Microplastics?
Microplastics are tiny fragments of plastic less than 5 millimeters in size—some as small as 1 micron (1/25,000 inch). Even smaller particles, known as nanoplastics, are measured in billionths of a meter.
Experts say these particles can infiltrate cells and tissues in vital organs, potentially disrupting cellular processes and carrying harmful chemicals such as BPA, phthalates, flame retardants, PFAS, and heavy metals.
“These chemicals can travel to your liver, kidneys, brain, and even cross the placental barrier to reach unborn babies,” explained Sherri “Sam” Mason, director of sustainability at Penn State Behrend, in a previous interview with CNN.
Recent studies have detected microplastics and nanoplastics in human brain tissue, reproductive organs, blood, lungs, liver, urine, feces, breast milk, and placentas.
A groundbreaking study in March found that people with microplastics or nanoplastics in their carotid arteries were twice as likely to suffer heart attacks, strokes, or die from any cause within three years compared to those without such exposure.
How the Study Measured Coastal Pollution
Published Wednesday in the Journal of the American Heart Association, the new research classified coastal waters as heavily polluted if they contained 10 or more plastic particles per “bathtub” of seawater.
Using data from the National Centers for Environmental Information collected between 2015 and 2020, researchers measured microplastic concentrations within 200 nautical miles of 152 coastal counties along the Pacific, Atlantic, and Gulf of Mexico.
They then compared disease rates in areas with low and high microplastic concentrations, adjusting for factors such as age, gender, race, ethnicity, healthcare access, and socioeconomic status.
People living near highly polluted coastal waters had an 18% higher risk of type 2 diabetes, a 9% higher risk of stroke, and a 7% higher risk of coronary artery disease compared to those near less polluted waters. Low-pollution zones were defined as having only one visible plastic speck per 200 “bathtubs” of water.
Still, Ganatra emphasized that the study does not prove microplastics in seawater directly cause cardiometabolic disease. “We didn’t measure plastic exposure in individuals, nor do we know how these particles may affect the human body. These results should prompt further research, not definitive conclusions,” he noted.
Chemicals in Microplastics Raise Broader Concerns
Ria DeFreitas, an environmental researcher at the University of East London, who was not involved in the study, said via email that it lacks data on the specific chemicals within microplastics.
“Chemicals commonly used in plastic production are associated with health risks including skin irritation, respiratory problems, hormonal disruption, and certain cancers,” she said.
DeFreitas highlighted the Gulf of Mexico—often dubbed “Cancer Alley”—as a region with disproportionately high rates of cancer, diabetes, and respiratory illness. “This pattern is linked to the concentration of petrochemical and plastic manufacturing plants and the widespread use of chemicals like BPA and phthalates,” she added.
An April study estimated that phthalates may have contributed to over 13% of cardiovascular-related deaths among people aged 55 to 64 worldwide in 2018. These chemicals are found in food containers, shampoos, cosmetics, fragrances, and children’s toys.
“Phthalates can inflame the coronary arteries and trigger systemic inflammation, which accelerates existing diseases and leads to acute events like heart attacks and death,” said Dr. Leonardo Trasande, a professor of pediatrics and population health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, in a previous CNN interview.
BPA, another endocrine disruptor, has been linked to fetal abnormalities, low birth weight, neurological and behavioral issues in infants, as well as adult conditions like diabetes, cancer, and obesity. One study even found BPA exposure linked to erectile dysfunction among workers.
Reducing Your Exposure
While eliminating microplastics from the oceans is currently impossible, individuals can take steps to reduce exposure to harmful plastic chemicals.
“One important strategy is to use stainless steel or glass containers whenever possible,” Trasande previously told CNN. He also recommended avoiding microwaving food in plastic, even baby formula and expressed breast milk, and keeping plastic out of dishwashers to prevent heat-triggered chemical leaching.
Consumers should also check recycling codes on product packaging and avoid plastics labeled with code 3, which often contain phthalates.
The Natural Resources Defense Council suggests additional ways to cut back on plastic waste: bring reusable bags to the grocery store, use fabric garment bags instead of dry cleaner plastic, carry a travel mug for takeout drinks, and pack your own utensils to reduce disposable plastic use.
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