Microplastics Are in Your Body and RFK Jr Says It’s a Market Failure.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. posted a strong warning about microplastics, and it quickly got people’s attention.
“Microplastics are everywhere - in our water, our soil, our food, even our organs,” he wrote. He didn’t stop there, calling the crisis not just pollution, but “a market failure.”
Once considered an issue limited to oceans and marine life, microplastics are now being detected inside the human body.
Tiny Plastics, Big Problem
Microplastics are exactly what they sound like minuscule bits of plastic, often too small to see, that come from everyday items: packaging, clothes, cosmetics, and even car tires.
Over time, plastic breaks down but never really disappears. It just gets smaller.
And those particles end up everywhere, from the air we breathe to the food we eat.
And yes, researchers have now found them in human lungs, blood, and even placentas.
Dr. Sherri Mason, a leading researcher in freshwater plastic pollution and Sustainability Coordinator at Penn State Behrend, has been a vocal advocate for raising awareness about microplastic exposure.
While the specific quote often attributed to her doesn’t appear in official sources, her published research and interviews make one thing clear: microplastics are virtually unavoidable.
She’s explained that plastic particles enter the body through drinking water, food, and even the air we breathe.
From synthetic clothing to plastic-wrapped food and indoor dust, everyday life constantly exposes us to microplastics, most of which are too small to see.
Dr. Mason emphasizes that this widespread exposure is a growing concern for both environmental and public health.
RFK Jr.: “This Isn’t Just Pollution, It’s a Market Failure”
In his May 2025 post on X , Mr. Kennedy warned:
Microplastics are everywhere — in our water, our soil, our food, even our organs.
This isn’t just pollution — it’s a market failure. Corporations aren’t poisoning us out of malice, but out of economic necessity. That has to change.
The Trump administration will fix the… pic.twitter.com/d2PwTovr0O
— Secretary Kennedy (@SecKennedy) May 18, 2025
He’s not wrong. What he’s pointing out is that companies continue to churn out plastic, unchecked and unregulated, because it’s cheap and there’s no financial incentive to stop.
How Microplastics End Up Inside Our Bodies
It’s not a mystery. Here’s what happens:
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Plastic breaks down into tiny particles in landfills, oceans, and even city streets.
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Those particles get into food and water—including bottled water, seafood, produce, and table salt.
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We eat and breathe them in. Studies show we could be ingesting a credit card’s worth of plastic every week.
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Some particles make it into the bloodstream and can even lodge in tissues and organs.
In 2023, researchers found microplastics in 80% of blood samples they tested. The following year, another study detected plastic particles in human placentas, raising serious questions about fetal exposure.
“It’s alarming,” says Dr. Dick Vethaak, a toxicologist who co-authored one of the landmark studies.
“Our study is the first indication that we have polymer particles in our blood, it’s a breakthrough result. It is certainly reasonable to be concerned. The particles are there and are transported throughout the body.”
What It’s Doing to Our Health
The truth is, we’re still figuring that out—but what we know so far isn’t encouraging.
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Inflammation and cell damage are likely.
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Microplastics may disrupt hormones and weaken the immune system.
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They can carry toxic chemicals, like pesticides and heavy metals, directly into the body.
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Some scientists are concerned about possible links to fertility issues, heart disease, and even neurological disorders.
Robert F. Kennedy’s message goes beyond environmental concern, it’s about accountability. He believes industries that profit from plastics should also be responsible for the consequences.
Mr. Kennedy proposed plan includes:
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Banning non-essential single-use plastics
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Making companies pay for cleanup and waste management
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Funding alternatives to plastic
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Upgrading filtration systems in water treatment facilities
He’s far from alone. Across Europe and parts of Asia, similar regulations are already in place. The U.S., however, still lags behind.
What You Can Do Right Now
Waiting for legislation isn’t your only option. You can make small but meaningful changes today:
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Drink from glass or stainless steel instead of plastic bottles
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Use a high-quality water filter at home
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Choose clothes made from natural fibers
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Avoid cosmetics and scrubs with microbeads
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Support brands using biodegradable or minimal packaging
Even something as simple as air-drying synthetic clothes instead of using a dryer can reduce the number of plastic fibers released into the environment.
The Plastic Inside Us
What once felt like a distant environmental issue is now terrifyingly close to home, inside our homes, our food, and our own bodies. Mr. Kennedy’s warning may sound dramatic, but it’s backed by science and grounded in real urgency.
Dr. Jane Muncke, Managing Director and Chief Scientific Officer of the Food Packaging Forum, has been vocal about the risks microplastics and related chemicals pose to human health. In recent publications, she has emphasized that many synthetic substances used in food packaging can migrate into what we eat, especially when heat, acidity, or fat are involved.
Dr. Muncke warns that these migrating chemicals, including microplastics, may contribute to serious health issues such as endocrine disruption, cancer, and developmental disorders and also points out that these risks are often underestimated and calls for stronger research and regulation.
“We need robust, standardized science to fully understand what microplastics are doing to the human body,” she said, urging greater collaboration across disciplines to address the growing crisis."
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