HealthierU | How Do Microplastics Affect Our Health?

Microplastics are all around us, from the fabric of our clothes to the Tupperware container we warm our leftovers in—they’ve even been found in the human brain. We rely on plastic for affordability and convenience, but what are the health consequences of this growing dependence? In this episode, Emory students including Stephanie Oehler share their concerns about microplastics, and environmental health expert Dr. Mike Caudle of Emory’s Rollins School of Public Health discusses the potential risks of microplastics in our brains and how to limit our exposure to these tiny plastics.

This episode was reported and produced by Lohith Savardekar, a senior in the Human Health program at Emory University. Lohith is fascinated with human health and hopes to pursue a career in medicine.

Studies and reports referenced in this episode:

• Assessing the Release of Microplastics and Nanoplastics from Plastic Containers and Reusable Food Pouches: Implications for Human Health
• Study confirms microplastics are getting into brain tissue (NBC News)
• Microplastics in the Olfactory Bulb of the Human Brain 
• Urine bisphenol-A (BPA) level in relation to semen quality 
• In utero exposure to bisphenol-A and its effect on birth weight of offspring 
• Member States endorse ban of Bisphenol A in food contact materials (European Commission Daily News)
• Bisphenol A (BPA): Use in Food Contact Application (FDA)
• Systematic evidence on migrating and extractable food contact chemicals

About HealthierU:

Produced and hosted by students at Emory University’s Center for the Study of Human Health, HealthierU is a podcast that aims to make sense of the science behind human health. This season, we’re diving into our generation’s burning health questions. Questions like: Is it bad to use the internet to diagnose yourself? Why do so many athletes get eating disorders, and why are they so hard to spot? Is sugar really so dangerous? To find the an

About Emory University's Center for the Study of Human Health:

The Emory Center for the Study of Human Health was developed to expand health knowledge and translate this knowledge to all aspects of life – for the individual and populations as a whole. The Center assembles the extraordinary faculty, researchers and thought leaders from across disciplines, departments, schools and institutions to bring this knowledge to Emory University students and inspire them to become leaders for the next generation in meeting challenges facing human health.

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