Addressing the health hazards of microplastics requires increased awareness and stronger policy actions, as experts warn that the problem is widespread and worsening.

Recent research from the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh confirms that microplastics, tiny particles less than five millimeters, are present in common foods and environmental sources, posing significant health risks.

Microplastics are found in bottled water, seafood, salt, milk, and even in the air, and can accumulate in the human body over time, attaching to the intestinal wall and causing inflammation, digestion issues, and weakening immunity.

The ingestion of microplastics, averaging the size of a credit card weekly, is linked to negative impacts on gut health, including reduced beneficial bacteria, increased harmful microbes, and heightened risks of chronic illnesses, infections, and cancer.

Microplastics damage the gut lining, allowing toxins into the bloodstream and increasing health risks beyond digestive problems, emphasizing the critical connection between gut health and overall well-being.

Practical steps to reduce microplastic exposure include avoiding plastic bottles, not pouring hot drinks into plastic cups, choosing fresh foods over packaged ones, and wearing natural fabrics like cotton.

Advocacy for stronger global policies, such as the Global Plastic Treaty, is essential to reduce plastic production and pollution at its source.

Long-term solutions to microplastic pollution require international cooperation and the implementation of comprehensive policies to curb plastic waste and production.

Experts, including Dr. Ravindra Khaiwal, stress the urgent need for public awareness and stricter policies to combat the growing problem of plastic pollution, which threatens both health and environmental sustainability.