![MICROPLASTICS ARE EVERYWHERE.BUT ARE THEY HARMING US?](https://cdn.magzter.com/1400077361/1723060774/articles/M81qt6Jyg1723111337192/MICROPLASTICS-ARE-EVERYWHEREBUT-ARE-THEY-HARMING-US.jpg)
They have been found in a wide range of body tissues, including the heart, liver, kidneys and even testicles.
But are they actually harming you?
Evidence suggests they might, but it’s limited in scope. Some researchers are worried, but acknowledge there are lots of unanswered questions.
Dr. Marya Zlatnik, a San Francisco-based obstetrician who has studied environmental toxins and pregnancy, has seen studies raising concerns about microplastics’ impact on the health of babies and adults.
But it’s a young research field, and it’s not something she generally discusses with patients.
“I’m not entirely sure what to say yet,” Zlatnik said.
Here’s a look at what’s known so far:
WHAT ARE MICROPLASTICS?
Plastics are man-made materials — many of them derived from oil or other petroleum products. They can break down into smaller particles, through exposure to heat and weather and even animal digestion.
Researchers have increasingly been interested in microplastics, which can be as wide as a pencil eraser or as small as a fraction of the width of a human hair. Nanoplastics, another area of study, are even smaller.
These minuscule plastics have been detected in air, water and soil, in milk, and in bottled and tap drinking water. They also have been found in a variety of foods, including salt, sugar, honey, rice and seafood.
ARE THERE MICROPLASTICS IN YOU?
Most likely yes.
This story is from the August 09, 2024 edition of AppleMagazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 09, 2024 edition of AppleMagazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![THIS FALL.HOLLYWOOD TRIES TO BALANCE BOX OFFICE WITH THE BALLOT BOX](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6454/1821590/p-22PAi861725535956752/THIS-FALLHOLLYWOOD-TRIES-TO-BALANCE-BOX-OFFICE-WITH-THE-BALLOT-BOX.jpg)
THIS FALL.HOLLYWOOD TRIES TO BALANCE BOX OFFICE WITH THE BALLOT BOX
Three weeks after the U.S. presidential election in November, Ridley Scott will present his latest big-screen opus.
![VOLVO BECOMES LATEST CARMAKER TO SCALE BACK ELECTRIC AMBITIONS, EASES GOAL TO AT LEAST 90% BY 2030](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6454/1821590/B7U_FslIj1725533186646/VOLVO-BECOMES-LATEST-CARMAKER-TO-SCALE-BACK-ELECTRIC-AMBITIONS-EASES-GOAL-TO-AT-LEAST-90-BY-2030.jpg)
VOLVO BECOMES LATEST CARMAKER TO SCALE BACK ELECTRIC AMBITIONS, EASES GOAL TO AT LEAST 90% BY 2030
Sweden-based Volvo Cars has eased off on its pledge to stop selling cars with internal combustion motors by 2030, saying slow rollout of places to charge up and withdrawal of purchase incentives will leave room for a few cars that still need fossil fuels.
![ANOTHER NEW JERSEY OFFSHORE WIND PROJECT RUNS INTO TURBULENCE AS LEADING LIGHT SEEKS PAUSE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6454/1821590/ZHQoSJUUv1725535089480/ANOTHER-NEW-JERSEY-OFFSHORE-WIND-PROJECT-RUNS-INTO-TURBULENCE-AS-LEADING-LIGHT-SEEKS-PAUSE.jpg)
ANOTHER NEW JERSEY OFFSHORE WIND PROJECT RUNS INTO TURBULENCE AS LEADING LIGHT SEEKS PAUSE
Another offshore wind project in New Jersey is encountering turbulence.
![ON THE FIRST DAY WITHOUT X. MANY BRAZILIANS SAY THEY FEEL DISCONNECTED FROM THE WORLD](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6454/1821590/lpkX05C281725534898201/ON-THE-FIRST-DAY-WITHOUT-X-MANY-BRAZILIANS-SAY-THEY-FEEL-DISCONNECTED-FROM-THE-WORLD.jpg)
ON THE FIRST DAY WITHOUT X. MANY BRAZILIANS SAY THEY FEEL DISCONNECTED FROM THE WORLD
The blocking of social media platform X in Brazil divided users and politicians over the legitimacy of the ban, and many Brazilians had difficulty and doubts over navigating other social media in its absence.
![UK COMPETITION WATCHDOG CLEARS MICROSOFT'S HIRING OF AI STARTUP'S CORE STAFF](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6454/1821590/tJwUT74Ym1725534813065/UK-COMPETITION-WATCHDOG-CLEARS-MICROSOFTS-HIRING-OF-AI-STARTUPS-CORE-STAFF.jpg)
UK COMPETITION WATCHDOG CLEARS MICROSOFT'S HIRING OF AI STARTUP'S CORE STAFF
British regulators on Wednesday cleared Microsoft’s hiring of key staff from startup Inflection AI, saying the deal wouldn’t stifle competition in the country’s artificial intelligence market.
![EVEN DOLLAR STORE CHAINS ARE SEEING A PULLBACK IN SPENDING AS HIGHER PRICES SQUEEZE MORE CONSUMERS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6454/1821590/PetZLItrw1725534689712/EVEN-DOLLAR-STORE-CHAINS-ARE-SEEING-A-PULLBACK-IN-SPENDING-AS-HIGHER-PRICES-SQUEEZE-MORE-CONSUMERS.jpg)
EVEN DOLLAR STORE CHAINS ARE SEEING A PULLBACK IN SPENDING AS HIGHER PRICES SQUEEZE MORE CONSUMERS
Dollar Tree is slashing its full-year earnings and sales forecasts as its customers continue to struggle with higher prices and spend less.
![ESPN NETWORKS, ABC AND DISNEY CHANNELS GO DARK ON DIRECTV ON A BUSY NIGHT FOR SPORTS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6454/1821590/8g85ppG-31725533493604/ESPN-NETWORKS-ABC-AND-DISNEY-CHANNELS-GO-DARK-ON-DIRECTV-ON-A-BUSY-NIGHT-FOR-SPORTS.jpg)
ESPN NETWORKS, ABC AND DISNEY CHANNELS GO DARK ON DIRECTV ON A BUSY NIGHT FOR SPORTS
ESPN has gone off the air on a major carrier for the second straight year during the U.S. Open tennis tournament and in the midst of the first full weekend of college football.
![HYUNDAI UNVEILS 2025 ELECTRIC SUVS AIMING FOR BROADER APPEAL WITH IMPROVED RANGE, CHARGING OPTIONS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6454/1821590/1GFhx1zIq1725533058184/HYUNDAI-UNVEILS-2025-ELECTRIC-SUVS-AIMING-FOR-BROADER-APPEAL-WITH-IMPROVED-RANGE-CHARGING-OPTIONS.jpg)
HYUNDAI UNVEILS 2025 ELECTRIC SUVS AIMING FOR BROADER APPEAL WITH IMPROVED RANGE, CHARGING OPTIONS
Despite slowing U.S. electric vehicle sales, Hyundai this week rolled out the 2025 versions of its Ioniq 5 electric SUV with improved battery range and charging aimed at broadening the appeal of vehicles to be built at a massive new Georgia factory.
![CALIFORNIA LAWMAKERS APPROVE LEGISLATION TO BAN DEEPFAKES, PROTECT WORKERS AND REGULATE AI](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6454/1821590/5nqU4j8NO1725532949584/CALIFORNIA-LAWMAKERS-APPROVE-LEGISLATION-TO-BAN-DEEPFAKES-PROTECT-WORKERS-AND-REGULATE-AI.jpg)
CALIFORNIA LAWMAKERS APPROVE LEGISLATION TO BAN DEEPFAKES, PROTECT WORKERS AND REGULATE AI
California lawmakers approved a host of proposals this week aiming to regulate the artificial intelligence industry, combat deepfakes and protect workers from exploitation by the rapidly evolving technology.
![SPORTS BOATS SET OUT ON A VOYAGE TO ELECTRIFY THE WATERS IN THE SAME WAY TESLA ELECTRIFIED THE ROADS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/6454/1821590/sENtVbSd01725532771506/SPORTS-BOATS-SET-OUT-ON-A-VOYAGE-TO-ELECTRIFY-THE-WATERS-IN-THE-SAME-WAY-TESLA-ELECTRIFIED-THE-ROADS.jpg)
SPORTS BOATS SET OUT ON A VOYAGE TO ELECTRIFY THE WATERS IN THE SAME WAY TESLA ELECTRIFIED THE ROADS
Grant Jeide looked like another dude riding the rollicking waves left in the wake of a 23-foot (7-meter) boat ripping through the water at speeds of up to 40 miles per hour on a river in Northern California’s Delta earlier this summer.