Should you worry about microplastics?

Little is known about the effects on humans—but limiting exposure to them seems prudent

Ever since Austrian scientists first began looking for them in people in 2018, microplastics have turned up in the blood, lungs, kidneys, liver, heart and even the brain. They have also been detected in the placenta and breast milk.

This article appeared in the Science & technology section of the print edition under the headline “Should you worry about microplastics?”

From the February 1st 2025 edition

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