Here’s How Much Microplastic Americans Are Ingesting on Average, According to a New Report

Even for the most eco-conscious among us, plastics can be hard to escape. They’re ubiquitously used to package everything from food to cosmetics—and increasingly, say multiple experts, they’re turning up where they don’t belong.

That’s because plastic products can slough off tiny particles known as “microplastics” or “nanoplastics,” which make their way into oceans, soil, air, food, and ultimately into our bodies through inhalation and ingestion.

Now, a new report issued by the consumer advocacy-focused Environmental Working Group (EWG) has quantified just how much of those substances people are ingesting. In a startling revelation, the research states that the average person consumes the equivalent of 12 plastic grocery bags each year.

“In broad terms, we calculated microplastic density in cubic centimeters for polyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene, then combined this value with the average volume of a plastic particle, and this produced our estimate of how many grams of plastic a person may ingest in a year,” EWG representatives shared via press release on September 18, 2024.

The report warns there are several ways that you may be increasing your exposure to microplastics—and says that some, though not all, of your exposure may be reduced through lifestyle changes.

These experts recommend:

• switching from polyethylene or polypropylene cutting boards to wooden ones
• not drinking from plastic water bottles that have been damaged or left in the sun or heat
• avoiding plastic reusable containers
• avoiding processed foods
• reducing your overall plastic use.

The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that we currently lack adequate data to “draw firm conclusions” regarding the toxicity of microplastics and their effects on human health. However, the global health authority also acknowledges that any potential hazards that may be associated with microplastics could “come in three forms: physical particles, chemicals, and microbial pathogens as part of biofilms.”

Though more research is needed, various studies have suggested a link between the ingestion of microplastics and chronic health conditions including cardiovascular disease, chronic inflammation, uncontrolled cell growth, and more.

“Chemicals often found in plastics are known to cause a variety of health problems, including cancers, metabolic disorders, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and fertility issues,” adds the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).

The EWG stresses that because they are invisible to the naked eye, microplastics lurk virtually everywhere while evading our detection. Here’s how they put these scales in perspective: “It’s helpful to use an analogy to conceptualize the scale of these particles—a nanoplastic particle is to a baseball what a baseball is to the entire Earth,” they write.

To that end, the organization is also calling for public support of legislature that reduces plastic use in manufacturing, rather than leaving consumers to fend for themselves.

“Moving away from plastics is the best all-around approach to reducing exposures and health harms. Consider backing calls for bans on single uses of plastics and supporting plans to regulate microplastic contamination—including international efforts to tackle the problem,” they write.

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