When Plastic Breaks Down, Kids Pay the Price
Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic—no bigger than 5 millimeters, about the size of a pencil eraser. They’re everywhere. Each year, people release an estimated 10 to 40 million metric tons into the environment, and if we don’t change our habits, that amount could double by 2040. Most microplastics come from bigger plastic items that slowly break apart, but some are actually made on purpose and added to everyday products like paint, cleaning supplies, toothpaste, plastic-wrapped food, and even baby bottles and shampoo.
Plastic may be convenient, but it’s more than just trash on beaches and roads. It can sneak into bodies — especially young ones — in surprising ways. Scientists are finding evidence that microplastics may accumulate in children’s bodies over time.
Just How Much Plastic Are Kids Carrying Around?
Researchers created a model (a math-based simulation) to estimate how many microplastic particles get stored in people’s bodies over their lifetime.
By age 18, children might have about 8300 particles in their bodies.
By age 70, adults could have around 50,100 particles.
These numbers are just estimates — meaning the actual amount could be higher or lower. The model has limitations (not all kinds of plastics or pathways were counted, for example).
Plastic pollution isn’t just bad for beaches and wildlife — it’s also a growing health concern for people, especially kids.
Microplastics Add Up Faster in Babies and Young Kids
Another study looked at infant poop (feces) and found that babies had much higher levels of a plastic called PET compared to adults. They tested for two common plastics, PET and polycarbonate. For polycarbonate, the levels were similar in babies and adults, but for PET, infants had 10 times more on average. One thought is that babies come into contact with microplastics more (bottles, toys, teethers) so they absorb more.
So this suggests: kids aren’t just passively exposed — they might end up with more microplastics inside them than adults (on a per-body basis).
Why This Matters Even More for Kids
Kids’ bodies are still growing — their brains, organs, and immune systems are all developing and changing fast. That means anything that stresses their cells or tissues can have a bigger impact than it would on adults. Studies show that babies and young kids are often exposed to more microplastics and may hold on to them longer. This makes their risk even higher. Some of the ways plastics can cause harm — like causing inflammation, messing with hormones, or changing how cells work — are especially dangerous when a body is still “under construction.” Even small amounts of harmful substances can interfere with healthy growth and might lead to problems later on.
What We Can Do — and What We Still Don’t Know
Even though scientists are still learning exactly how microplastics affect our health, there’s plenty we can do right now to reduce our exposure. For starters, try to use fewer plastic bottles, especially for hot drinks or food, since heat can cause plastics to break down and release more tiny bits. Avoid microwaving or heating food in plastic containers, and instead go for glass, stainless steel, or other safer materials for things like lunch boxes, water bottles, and baby gear. When you can, choose items labeled “BPA-free” or look for non-plastic options altogether. And on a bigger scale, we can speak up for stronger rules and better testing to make sure the materials around us are safe for everyone — especially kids.
Want to explore this topic more? Check out these resources!
Plastic Everywhere: Microplastics Are Harming Birds–And Us
Bottled Water or Tap Water: Which One Would You Choose?
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