Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that are found in oceans, rivers, lakes and in the air, from where they enter the human body through ingestion, inhalation or absorption through the skin[1]. Plastics, which are light, durable and cheap, are made from polymers from crude oil with various additives, and their production has grown exponentially from about 1.8 million tons in 1950 to 363 million tons in 2022[1]. After use, most plastics end up in landfills, incinerators or are improperly disposed of, with the United Nations Environment Program reporting that between 19 and 23 million tons of plastic waste escape into aquatic ecosystems every year[1]. When plastics break down, they produce microplastics that accumulate in organs and lead to biological changes, oxidative stress and inflammation[1]. Exposure to microplastics is associated with poor cardiovascular and respiratory outcomes, gastrointestinal effects, reproductive disorders, metabolic disorders and cancer[1]. However, a 2022 World Health Organization report concluded that, based on the available evidence, there is no clear risk to human health and no clear signal of widespread impact on public health[4]. Scientists emphasize that the long-term health consequences of exposure to microplastics are still being investigated and more research is needed[5].