Microplastics can enter food and water as plastic breaks down, but some household changes may help reduce exposure.
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Microplastics are plastic particles smaller than five millimetres, with nanoplastics even smaller at generally less than 1 micrometer. They can be produced when larger plastic products—such as soda bottles, synthetic fabrics and food storage bags—break down from everyday wear, heat and environmental exposure.
Health research is still developing. A 2024 study of patients undergoing carotid artery surgery found an association between plastic particles in artery plaque and later heart attack, stroke or death, and the study notes this does not prove causation. The American Cancer Society says it has not drawn a direct link between microplastics and cancers, though a small 2024 study found a higher concentration of microplastics in prostate tumours compared with surrounding noncancerous tissue.
People can be exposed in several ways, including through synthetic fabrics and household dust, since synthetic carpets, clothing and furnishings can shed tiny plastic fibres that settle into dust or become airborne. Food containers and packaging are another route, as some plastic containers can release microplastics and nanoplastics when heated; a 2023 laboratory study reported that microwaving certain containers released particles into liquids used to simulate food. Bottled beverages can also be a source, as caps and bottlenecks may shed particles through friction with repeated opening and closing, and one 2026 study found higher concentrations in samples from six bottled-water brands than in treated drinking water from four treatment plants.
To reduce exposure at home, the guidance includes switching from plastic food storage to glass and stainless steel containers, and avoiding warming food in plastic containers. For indoor air and surfaces, it recommends vacuuming regularly—ideally with a HEPA-filter vacuum—and wiping surfaces with a damp cloth, with the addition of a HEPA air cleaner to help capture airborne particles.
For drinking water, the advice is to choose a filtration system with specific certification for microplastics reduction, noting that reverse osmosis systems are one option. It also cautions that basic pitcher and refrigerator filters are generally made to improve taste and may vary by model, and should not be assumed to filter microplastics unless a model is specifically certified to do so.
While it says microplastics can’t be fully avoided, it points to practical everyday steps such as using glass food storage containers, cutting back on single-use plastic bottles, and keeping household dust in check.
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