Megan Hall: Welcome to Possibly! I’m Megan Hall, and today we’re diving into microplastics. You’ve probably heard about them showing up in our blood, organs, and even our brains. But what does this really mean for our health? Let’s unpack this together.
Joining us are reporters Will Malloy and Nat Hardy from our team.
Will Malloy: Hi, Megan!
Nat Hardy: Hey there!
Megan Hall: To kick things off, what exactly are microplastics?
Will Malloy: They’re plastic particles smaller than five millimeters—about the size of a grain of rice. But some are tiny, invisible to the eye!
Megan Hall: Where do these little bits come from?
Nat Hardy: They pop up in all sorts of places! Cosmetics often contain them. When we wash synthetic fabrics, like fleece, they shed microplastics. Even car tires release them as they wear down. So yeah, they’re everywhere.
Susanne Brander: Recent studies over the last five to eight years show that we find microplastics in nearly every human study conducted. They’ve become a part of our world.
Will Malloy: That’s Dr. Susanne Brander, a professor at Oregon State University, who studies their effects on aquatic life.
Nat Hardy: She points out that while we’ve confirmed their presence in our bodies, we still lack a complete picture of the health implications.
Susanne Brander: We know microplastics are present, but we don’t fully understand what they might be doing to us yet.
Megan Hall: Why is that?
Will Malloy: The research on microplastics inside the human body is relatively new. Scientists have focused more on studying them in the ocean and marine animals for decades.
Nat Hardy: They only began figuring out microplastics in humans about ten years ago or so.
Will Malloy: Early studies were focused on confirming their presence in human tissues. Now, we’re just starting to explore their effects.
Megan Hall: So, does that mean we really don’t know how they affect us?
Nat Hardy: Not entirely, but we do have valuable data from animal studies.
Susanne Brander: Research in various species—like rodents and fish—helps us understand the potential impacts on humans. These animals serve as “model species” in studies.
Will Malloy: Exactly! If we see certain effects in them, we can speculate about possible effects on us.
Megan Hall: What are those studies discovering?
Will Malloy: A review of rodent studies indicates several health problems, such as issues with reproduction, digestion, and even neurological function.
Nat Hardy: If these impacts hold true for humans, we should definitely pay attention.
Megan Hall: So when will we know if this is serious? It’s concerning not to have clear answers.
Nat Hardy: Great question! It takes time for scientists to build consensus. One study alone won’t change everything; it’s about gathering enough evidence from various researchers.
Will Malloy: As more studies are published, we should start to see clearer patterns emerging.
Susanne Brander: We might not have all the answers yet, but many experts agree that we should take action now.
Will Malloy: Reducing our exposure to microplastics likely won’t harm us. Though we don’t know the exact benefits yet, it’s better to be cautious.
Megan Hall: How can we cut down on microplastics in our daily lives?
Nat Hardy: That’s a big conversation for another time, but beginning to reduce plastic use is a great start. Focus on items that touch your food.
Megan Hall: Got it! Thanks to Will and Nat for your insights!
That wraps up our chat for today. If you want to dive deeper into how choices impact our planet, visit askpossibly.org. You can also catch us on your favorite podcast platform. Stay informed, and together, let’s tackle these pressing issues!
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