Sources
Every figure and every place in the story comes from a peer-reviewed study or an agency report. Here they are, item by item, with links to the original papers.
The story — figures
- Plastic, namedThompson et al., Science, 2004Lost at sea: where is all the plastic?
- Bottled waterQian et al., PNAS, 2024Rapid single-particle chemical imaging of nanoplastics by SRS microscopy
- Tea bagsHernandez et al., ES&T, 2019Plastic teabags release billions of microparticles and nanoparticles into tea
- Washing clothesNapper & Thompson, Mar. Poll. Bull., 2016Release of synthetic microplastic plastic fibres from domestic washing machines
- Indoor airVianello et al., Sci. Rep., 2019Simulating human exposure to indoor airborne microplastics using a breathing thermal manikin
- Heart & arteriesMarfella et al., NEJM, 2024Microplastics and nanoplastics in atheromas and cardiovascular events
- BrainNihart et al., Nature Medicine, 2025Bioaccumulation of microplastics in decedent human brains
- PlanetOECD, 2022Global Plastics Outlook
- Your doseCox et al., ES&T, 2019Human consumption of microplastics
Found in — inside us
- BloodLeslie et al., Environment International, 2022Discovery and quantification of plastic particle pollution in human blood
- LungsAmato-Lourenço et al., J. Hazardous Materials, 2021Presence of airborne microplastics in human lung tissue
- PlacentaRagusa et al., Environment International, 2021Plasticenta: first evidence of microplastics in human placenta
- Breast milkRagusa et al., Polymers, 2022Raman microspectroscopy detection and characterisation of microplastics in human breastmilk
- TestesHu et al., Toxicological Sciences, 2024Microplastic presence in dog and human testis
- LiverHorvatits et al., eBioMedicine, 2022Microplastics detected in cirrhotic liver tissue
- KidneysMassardo et al., Environment International, 2024MicroRaman spectroscopy detects microplastics in human urine and kidney tissue
- ArteriesMarfella et al., NEJM, 2024Microplastics and nanoplastics in atheromas and cardiovascular events
- Heart tissueYang et al., ES&T, 2023Detection of various microplastics in patients undergoing cardiac surgery
- BrainNihart et al., Nature Medicine, 2025Bioaccumulation of microplastics in decedent human brains
- Bone marrowGuo et al., J. Hazardous Materials, 2024Discovery and analysis of microplastics in human bone marrow — methods since questioned in a published letter
- UrinePironti et al., Toxics, 2023First evidence of microplastics in human urine
- FaecesSchwabl et al., Annals of Internal Medicine, 2019Detection of various microplastics in human stool
Found in — around us
- Bottled waterQian et al., PNAS, 2024Rapid single-particle chemical imaging of nanoplastics by SRS microscopy
- Tap waterKosuth et al., PLOS ONE, 2018Anthropogenic contamination of tap water, beer, and sea salt
- Tea bagsHernandez et al., ES&T, 2019Plastic teabags release billions of microparticles and nanoparticles into tea
- Sea saltYang et al., ES&T, 2015Microplastic pollution in table salts from China
- SeafoodVan Cauwenberghe & Janssen, Environmental Pollution, 2014Microplastics in bivalves cultured for human consumption
- BeerLiebezeit & Liebezeit, Food Additives & Contaminants A, 2014Synthetic particles as contaminants in German beers
- HoneyLiebezeit & Liebezeit, Food Additives & Contaminants A, 2013Non-pollen particulates in honey and sugar
- RiceDessì et al., J. Hazardous Materials, 2021Plastics contamination of store-bought rice
- Chewing gumLowe, Leonard & Mohanty, J. Hazardous Materials Letters, 2025Ingestion of microplastics during chewing gum consumption
- Cutting boardsYadav et al., ES&T, 2023Cutting boards: an overlooked source of microplastics in human food?
- Takeaway cupsRanjan et al., J. Hazardous Materials, 2021Microplastics and other harmful substances released from disposable paper cups into hot water
- Car tyresKole et al., Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 2017Wear and tear of tyres: a stealthy source of microplastics in the environment
- ClothesNapper & Thompson, Mar. Poll. Bull., 2016Release of synthetic microplastic plastic fibres from domestic washing machines
Method
Each place in the “Found in” index is listed with the first or best-known study that reported micro- or nanoplastics there. Detection methods differ between studies and some results are contested; finding plastic in a tissue does not by itself show that it causes harm. Exposure estimates are rough and, by their authors’ own account, likely underestimates.