Eyes On - Are You Inhaling Plastic? The Micro Threat Hiding in Your Water, Food, and Even Lungs

In this urgent solo episode of Uncover Your Eyes, Dr. Meenal Agarwal reveals the hidden threat of microplastics—tiny plastic particles that are everywhere: in our food, our water, our homes, and even our bodies. From cardiac tissue to placentas, these invisible invaders are now showing up in our organs and bloodstream. Dr. Meenal breaks down where they come from, how they enter our systems, and what you can do to reduce your exposure and protect your health. If you care about your gut, lungs, hormones, fertility, or future generations, this is the one episode you can’t afford to skip.

 

Key Timestamps:

• (0:00)  We’ve produced over 8 billion tons of plastic—here’s what that means for our health
• (0:36)  Microplastics: smaller than a grain of sand, more dangerous than an oil spill
• (1:03)  Where microplastics are found: soil, air, oceans—and now, our bodies
• (1:32)  Humans consume up to 120,000 microplastic particles per year
• (2:00)  Microplastics detected in blood, lungs, and even the placenta
• (2:30)  They’re linked to oxidative stress, neurotoxicity, and inflammation
• (3:01)  Why plastic bags and straws matter: understanding how we got here
• (3:48)  The real issue: disposal and waste management, not just production
• (4:06)  How microplastics enter the ocean—and the food chain
• (4:40)  Synthetic clothing and your washing machine: a hidden source of pollution
• (5:30)  Gut inflammation and hormone disruption linked to plastic toxins
• (6:06) Three ways microplastics enter our bodies: ingestion, inhalation, absorption
• (7:18) What this means for asthma, eczema, fertility, and chronic disease
• (8:00)  What you can do: reusable bags, plastic filters, and material swaps
• (9:03)  The call to action: small steps, collective change, and protecting future generations

Key Takeaways:

• Microplastics are everywhere—and in everyone. Studies have found them in blood, lungs, and even unborn babies.
• They're linked to serious health concerns, including gut inflammation, hormone disruption, respiratory disease, and potentially cancer.
• We absorb microplastics through ingestion, inhalation, and skin exposure. Bottled water, synthetic clothes, indoor air, and cosmetics are key sources.
• Plastic production isn't the only issue—waste management and filtering are critical.
• You can take action: switch to cotton, use reusable bags, support bans on unnecessary plastics, and install washing machine filters.
  
  

Resources & Links:

• Follow Dr. Meenal Agarwal on Instagram: @dr.meenalagarwal
  
  

• Subscribe to Uncover Your Eyes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major podcast platforms
  
  

Bio:

Dr. Meenal Agarwal is an optometrist, mom of three, and host of Uncover Your Eyes. Through her podcast, she explores the hidden connections between everyday life and long-term health, breaking down topics like micropl