Microplastics in Canada: How They Affect Our Health

You might already be mindful of what you eat, how you sleep, and your daily routine. But what if countless minuscule particles are slipping unseen into your body every day, through the air you breathe, the water you drink, and the food you eat? Microplastics, tiny pieces of plastic less than 5 millimeters, are quietly making their way into us, and scientists are only beginning to understand the consequences (Wikipedia, 2025) 

Microplastics in Canada: What You Need to Know

A landmark study estimated that humans may ingest up to 5 grams of microplastics per week roughly equivalent to a credit card’s weight based on a synthesis of global data (Senathirajah & Palanisami, 2021) Another investigation revealed that Americans consume and inhale about 74,000 to 121,000 particles annually, depending on age and sex with bottled water dramatically increasing exposure while those using tap water saw much lower levels (Cox et al., 2019; Time, 2019) Shifting focus to air exposure: indoor environments like homes and cars are proving more hazardous than once thought. A new study published in PLOS reports that people inhale nearly 70,000 microplastic particles every day, especially in enclosed spaces like vehicle cabins (Yakovenko & Sonke, 2025). Supplementary findings report that car cabin air contains 2,238 particles per cubic meter, four times higher than typical indoor air (EWG, 2025).

What Microplastics Do Inside Us

Microplastics are more than just debris. Some particles are small enough to penetrate lung tissue and enter the bloodstream, distributing throughout the body. Once lodged, they can incite inflammation and stress the immune system (Washington Post, 2024). They’ve been detected in human organs such as lungs, liver, kidneys, heart, blood, and even the brain (NY Post, 2025). Recent alarming research has found higher concentrations of micro- and nanoplastics in placentas from preterm births compared to those from full-term births, though causation remains unproven (Reddit summary, 2025).

Microplastics in the Food Chain

Microplastics do not simply vanish; once they enter the environment, they often accumulate in aquatic and terrestrial food webs. Research funded by Fisheries and Oceans Canada has shown that tiny plastic particles can be ingested by plankton, shellfish, and small fish, which are then consumed by larger species, moving plastics higher up the chain (Water Canada, 2021). This process means that seafood lovers may be ingesting plastics indirectly, not just through the water they drink but also through the fish and shellfish on their plates. University of Toronto researchers, for example, are examining how microplastics in freshwater fish might impact the safety of human diets (Water Canada, 2021). On land, microplastics in soil can be taken up by crops, a concern that University of Guelph scientists are actively studying to assess both food safety and agricultural productivity (University of Guelph, 2021).

The Link Between Microplastics and Climate Change

While often discussed separately, plastic pollution and climate change share common roots. Most plastics are derived from fossil fuels, meaning their production, transportation, and disposal generate significant greenhouse gas emissions. The Environmental Working Group highlights that microplastics in the air, especially in urban and enclosed environments, may also affect atmospheric processes by absorbing or scattering sunlight (EWG, 2025). Moreover, plastic breakdown in the environment can release methane and ethylene, both potent greenhouse gases, further linking microplastics to climate change’s feedback loops. Addressing microplastics, therefore, is not only about protecting human health and biodiversity; it’s also part of broader climate action.

What Is Canada Doing About Microplastics?

Canada isn’t sitting idle. In January 2024, Health Canada allocated CA $2.1 million over four years to McGill, Memorial University, and the University of Toronto for studies on microplastic exposure from food, water, air, and dust (Health Canada, 2024). Additionally, Fisheries and Oceans Canada granted research funding to McGill and Université du Québec à Rimouski to study how micro- and nanoplastics travel in aquatic organisms and their biological effects (2021). There’s also funding to Ocean Wise and UBC to study microplastic threats in the Salish Sea, and to U of T for the impact on freshwater fish and food webs (Water Canada, 2021). Meanwhile, the University of Guelph secured nearly CA $1 million to assess microplastics in soil and water and their effect on crops and soil organisms (U of G, 2021).

What Can You Do to Reduce Microplastics in Your Life?

While scientists race to unravel how microplastics affect health, you can reduce your exposure with simple changes:

• Switch to filtered tap water instead of bottled; it could cut your microplastic intake by up to 90% (NY Post, 2025; EWG, 2025).
• Use glass, stainless steel, or wooden containers instead of microwaving food in plastic, which can release millions of particles (EWG, 2025; NY Post, 2025).
• Choose natural fibers, wool, cotton, and linen over synthetics, and vacuum and dust regularly to reduce airborne microplastics (Health.com, 2025; Washington Post, 2024).
• Advocate for stronger regulations, recycling, and improved waste management to pressure systemic change.
  

The Path Forward

We’re only beginning to understand the depth of microplastic exposure and its implications for our bodies. As research gains momentum, especially in Canada, public awareness and demand for policy change are vital. By combining community action with scientific advancement, we can make hidden pollution visible and hold the promise of cleaner, safer health for all of us.

References

Cox, K. D., Covernton, G. A., Davies, H. L., Dower, J. F., Juanes, F., & Dudas, S. E. (2019). Human consumption of microplastics. Environmental Science & Technology, 53(12), 7068–7074. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.9b01517

Environmental Working Group. (2025, August 6). Air we breathe: New study raises concerns about inhaling microplastics. https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news/2025/08/air-we-breathe-new-study-raises-concerns-about-inhaling-microplastics

Health Canada. (2024, January 22). Government of Canada funding research on the health risks of microplastics. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/news/2024/01/government-of-canada-funding-research-on-the-health-risks-of-microplastics.html

Health.com. (2025, March 28). Microplastics: How to limit your exposure. https://www.health.com/microplastics-limit-exposure-9711501

New York Post. (2025, July 31). Shocking number of microplastics you may be inhaling every day. https://nypost.com/2025/07/31/health/shocking-number-of-microplastics-you-may-be-inhaling-every-day

Senathirajah, K., & Palanisami, T. (2021). How much microplastics are we ingesting?: Estimation of the mass of microplastics ingested. University of Newcastle. https://www.newcastle.edu.au/newsroom/featured/plastic-ingestion-by-people-could-be-equating-to-a-credit-card-a-week/how-much-microplastics-are-we-ingesting-estimation-of-the-mass-of-microplastics-ingested

Time. (2019, June 6). We’re eating thousands of tiny plastic particles every year. Here’s how we can cut back. https://time.com/5601359/microplastics-in-food-air

University of Guelph. (2021, May 10). U of G project gains funding to assess microplastics in water, soil. https://news.uoguelph.ca/2021/05/u-of-g-project-gains-funding-to-assess-microplastics-in-water-soil

Washington Post. (2024, February 12). Microplastics are in our bodies. How much do they harm us? https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/interactive/2024/microplastics-air-human-body-organs-spread

Water Canada. (2021, March 30). Government of Canada invests in research to study contaminants in aquatic ecosystems. https://www.watercanada.net/government-of-canada-invests-in-research-to-study-contaminants-in-aquatic-ecosystems

Wikipedia. (2025, July 15). Microplastics and human health. In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microplastics_and_human_health

Yakovenko, L., & Sonke, J. (2025, August 2). 70,000 pieces of plastic shed daily from objects in our homes and cars, penetrate lungs. People. https://people.com/70-000-pieces-plastic-inside-homes-cars-penetrate-lungs-11782801