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by grendelt 2020 days ago
I too wonder this. Sure we're consuming it, but how much is retained? Aren't we passing much of it along undigested? Plastic is mostly inert, right? So even if we consume and retain it, what harm is there?
2 comments

When you buy food-safe plastic (BPA/BPS-free plastic) it won't contain one of many bad ingredients, but microplastic comes from many sources of plastic, some which do contain BPA/BPS. BPA is known to harm the brain & prostate, BPS is known to cause hormone disruption. BPA is found in lining of aluminum cans, toys, & polycarbonate.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bisphenol_A

I don't know how much is retained, but the plastics have been found in the meat of cows & fish, so it's likely spread all throughout our bodies as well.

> The smallest microplastic particles are capable of entering the bloodstream, the lymphatic system, and may even reach the liver.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/22/micropla...

So what do we do if it's everywhere?
Well, that's the million- dollar question.