Tiny plastic particles are rewriting history and infiltrating our bodies in ways we’re only beginning to grasp. From insects in the 1970s to arteries and chewing gum today, science is uncovering just how deep the microplastics crisis runs.
Let’s start with caddisflies. These moth-like insects, found near lakes and streams, build protective casings from whatever materials they find. A study of museum specimens at the Naturalis Biodiversity Center in the Netherlands reveals something unsettling: larvae have been using microplastics in their casings since the 1970s. Researchers found synthetic fragments woven into preserved casings, suggesting plastic pollution has silently contaminated ecosystems for over half a century. Worse, these plastic-laden casings are more buoyant and visible than natural ones, potentially making the larvae easier prey for birds and fish. “This isn’t just about caddisflies,” the team warns. “If they’ve been exposed this long, countless other species likely have too.”
But it’s not just the past sounding alarms. A global ocean study led by Florida Atlantic University paints a dire picture of the present. By analyzing 1,885 data points from the surface to the deep sea, scientists found microplastics embedded at every depth. Smaller particles, between 1–100 micrometers, penetrate deeper, while larger ones cluster in surface gyres, the massive ocean whirlpools. Strikingly, microplastics now make up 5% of carbon particles at 2,000 meters, hinting they’re altering the ocean’s carbon cycle. “They’re not just floating trash,” says co-author Tracy Mincer. “They’re part of the ocean’s fabric.” With 56 plastic types identified, from fishing gear to water bottles, the crisis spans industries and centuries.
Meanwhile, medical researchers are connecting dots between microplastics and human health. A study of carotid artery plaque found microplastic levels 51 times higher in patients who’d suffered strokes or vision loss compared to healthy arteries. “These plastics are sneaking into our bodies through food and water,” says vascular surgeon Ross Clark. While the link isn’t yet proven, early data shows plastics might destabilize plaque, raising risks of cardiovascular events. But caution reigns: “We won’t fully understand the effects for years,” Clark admits. Even lab methods face hurdles, as fatty acids in plaque can mimic plastics during testing.
And then there’s gum. UCLA researchers discovered chewing releases up to 3,000 particles per piece. Synthetic and natural gums shed plastics into saliva. “We’re not trying to scare people,” says engineer Sanjay Mohanty, “but if you chew 180 pieces a year, that’s 30,000 particles.” The silver lining? 94% of particles release in the first eight minutes. Mohanty’s advice: “Chew longer, swallow less.”
The takeaway? Microplastics are a time traveler. They’ve lurked in ecosystems for decades, seeped into oceans’ deepest layers, and now haunt our arteries and gum. Science is racing to unravel their impacts, but one thing’s clear: this crisis is older, deeper, and more personal than we imagined. As Mincer puts it, “The ocean’s story is ours too.” Stay curious, stay cautious…and maybe rethink that next stick of gum.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969725005820?via%3Dihub
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08818-1
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-04-tiny-plastic-particles-artery-clogging.html
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-04-gum-microplastics-saliva.html