How Much Microplastic Are You Actually Eating?
NonToxCo Research
Science & Safety Team · 4/8/2026
You eat microplastics every single day. A new study built a framework to figure out how dangerous that actually is.
Measuring the Risk of Eating Plastic
A 2026 study in Food Chem Toxicol developed a modular risk assessment framework for oral exposure to micro- and nanoplastics. The goal: give regulators and scientists a standardized way to evaluate how much plastic humans eat and what it means for health.
The framework accounts for different particle sizes, polymer types, chemical additives, and exposure levels. Smaller particles (nanoplastics) pose more risk because they cross biological barriers more easily.
What You Can Do
Reduce oral microplastic exposure: avoid plastic food packaging, don't microwave in plastic, filter your water, use glass and stainless steel for food and drinks. Browse non-toxic kitchen alternatives to cut plastic out of your meals.