Carolyn Nsimpasi

Associate Editor

Loyola University Chicago School of Law, JD 2026

A toothbrush. Gum. Polyester clothing. All these items contain tiny plastic fragments known as microplastics, and even smaller nanoplastics. These particles are so small that they slip through water filtration systems, drift through the air, and accumulate in the food and beverages we consume daily. What was once considered a distant environmental issue has now increasingly become a direct human health concern, one that demands urgent regulation.

What are microplastics and nanoplastics?

            Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) researchers define microplastics as plastic particles ranging in size from 5 millimeters (mm), which is about the size of a pencil eraser, to 1 nanometer (nm). For comparison, a strand of human hair is about 80,000 nanometers wide. Microplastics are likely to degrade into smaller nanoplastics through chemical weathering processes, mechanical breakdown, and even through the digestive processes of animals. Nanoplastics are a subset of microplastics, and they are smaller than 1 µm (1 micrometer or 1000 nm). As a result, nanoplastics cannot be seen by the human eye.

Plastics are widely used across both consumer and industrial sectors, appearing in products such as toys, household appliances, and cosmetics. However, only a small portion of plastic waste is recycled or incinerated, with the majority accumulating in landfills or dispersing into the environment. As a result, plastic pollution is now present everywhere from land and freshwater systems to coastal regions and the open ocean. Rather than biodegrading, most plastics gradually break down through environmental exposure into tiny fragments now known as microplastics and  nanoplastics. Said plastics have been found throughout the human body including in the blood, saliva, liver, kidneys, lungs, and even placenta.

Why are microplastics harmful?

The presence of microplastics in blood vessels has sparked significant concern, as it may increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, inflammation, and abnormal blood clotting. Additionally, the chemicals associated with these particles have been linked to a range of health problems, including  immune system damage, reproductive issues, and developmental disorders. Emerging scientific evidence suggests that exposure to microplastics may be linked to elevated risks of liver disease and cancer, as well as conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, chronic rhinosinusitis, and complications during pregnancy. Coupled together, these findings highlight a growing public health threat, underscoring the urgent need for stricter regulations and further research to better understand and limit human exposure to these pervasive contaminants.

The need for rapid and urgent regulation

The mounting evidence has led to an increase in regulatory and policy driven conversations regarding microplastics and its harm across the United States. However, legislative movement has not been rapid enough nor sufficient. In early 2026, the EPA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced critical, coordinated actions to address microplastic contamination including listing microplastics as a priority contaminant group in its Sixth Contaminant Candidate List (CCL 6). The CCL 6 is a list of contaminants that are currently not subject to any proposed or official national primary drinking water regulations but are known or anticipated to occur in public water systems. Contaminants listed on the CCL 6 may require future regulations under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) which would lead to further research, funding, and decisions regarding regulation.

This should only be the start. Effective regulation must take a vast, multi-faceted approach. The administration should establish limits on microplastic contamination in food and beverages, require clearer labeling of plastic-containing products, and invest in improved filtration technologies for water treatment facilities. Additionally, stricter controls on plastic production and waste management are essential to reduce the overall flow of microplastics into the environment. Encouraging innovation in biodegradable materials and supporting research into the health effects of microplastics will also play a critical role.

Critics may argue that regulation could increase costs for businesses and consumers. However, the long-term costs of inaction, both economic and health-related, are likely to be far greater. Preventing widespread contamination now is more practical and ethical than attempting to reverse its effects later. Public health has historically benefited from proactive regulation, whether in controlling air pollution, banning harmful chemicals, or ensuring food safety. Microplastics should be treated with the same level of seriousness.

Ultimately, the issue of microplastics is not just environmental preservation; it is about safeguarding human health. The fact that these  plastics are now found within our own bodies is a stark reminder that the boundary between pollution and people has disappeared.  By taking decisive action now, society can reduce exposure, protect future generations, and begin to address one of the most pervasive and overlooked threats of the modern age.