Pollution
Episodes
In this clip from the Rich Roll Podcast, Dr. Rhonda Patrick shares practical tips for reducing everyday exposure to microplastics and plastic-related chemicals.
In this clip, Dr. Rhonda Patrick discusses BPA's impact on reproductive health, early puberty, and microplastic exposure's effect on sperm and testosterone.
In this clip, Dr. Rhonda Patrick outlines steps to limit microplastic exposure and explores methods to boost excretion of microplastic-associated chemicals.
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In this clip from the Rich Roll Podcast, Dr. Rhonda Patrick shares practical tips for reducing everyday exposure to microplastics and plastic-related chemicals.
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In this clip, Dr. Rhonda Patrick discusses BPA's impact on reproductive health, early puberty, and microplastic exposure's effect on sperm and testosterone.
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In this clip, Dr. Rhonda Patrick outlines steps to limit microplastic exposure and explores methods to boost excretion of microplastic-associated chemicals.
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In this clip, Dr. Rhonda Patrick discusses how microplastics, BPA, phthalates, and PFAS affect human health through exposures like food, water, and air.
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In this clip, Dr. Rhonda Patrick discusses how the body clears BPA, phthalates, microplastics, PFAS, and strategies to support their removal.
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In this clip, Dr. Rhonda Patrick discusses the impact of microplastics and BPA on brain health, neurodevelopment, and neurodegenerative disease risk.
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In this clip, Dr. Rhonda Patrick discusses ways to reduce microplastic exposure and associated chemicals like BPA, PFAS, and phthalates.
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Dr. Rhonda Patrick discusses her supplement stack, avoiding microplastics, creatine for brain health, and mRNA vaccine autoimmunity risks.
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In this clip, Dr. Rhonda Patrick discusses avoiding plastics and safer alternatives for food storage and drinking.
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Microplastics are ubiquitous in everyday life. This episode details how they impact our health and ways that we can limit our exposure.
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In this clip, Dr. Axel Montagne describes the dire consequences of a dysfunctional blood-brain barrier.
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Poor air quality has been linked with effects on human health, ranging from asthma to Alzheimer's disease.
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Dr. Jed Fahey describes a study that demonstrated sulforaphane's chemoprotective qualities against benzene exposure.
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Dr. Elissa Epel describes the exposome – the totality of non-genetic exposures a person experiences during a lifetime – and explains how it affects telomeres.
Topic Pages
News & Publications
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Plastic contamination has become pervasive, with microplastics—microscopic plastic particles—now detected in most human tissues. A recent study found microplastics in the follicular fluid of women undergoing fertility treatment, raising new concerns about how these contaminants might affect human reproduction.
Researchers collected follicular fluid samples from 18 women receiving assisted reproductive treatment. To detect and characterize plastic particles smaller than 10 micrometers, they used scanning electron microscopy paired with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy—an advanced technique that identifies materials based on their composition.
They found microplastics in nearly 80% of the samples (14 out of 18), with an average concentration of more than 2,000 particles per milliliter. On average, particles measured about 4.5 micrometers in diameter. They did not identify an association between microplastic concentration, fertilization, miscarriages, and live birth. However, higher microplastic concentrations were associated with higher levels of follicle-stimulating hormone, a key marker of ovarian function.
These findings indicate that microplastics accumulate in human ovarian follicles. The investigators proposed that the lack of association between microplastics and aspects of reproductive health may have been due to the small study size (only 18 women), especially in light of animal evidence indicating that microplastics disrupt hormone regulation, impair egg maturation, and alter embryo development. Learn more about the effects of microplastics on the reproductive system in this episode featuring Dr. Rhonda Patrick.
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The air around a child’s bed may carry more chemical pollutants than the bedroom itself. A recent study suggests sleeping spaces are a key source of toxic exposure for young children.
Researchers collected air samples from the sleeping areas and bedrooms of 25 children between 6 months and 4 years old living in Canada. They also tested the children’s mattresses for chemical emissions, looking for three types of compounds: phthalates (used to soften plastics), flame retardants, and UV filters (used in dyes and textiles). These chemicals belong to a group called semivolatile organic compounds, or SVOCs, which can escape from products and linger in air, dust, and on surfaces.
The researchers detected nearly 30 different chemicals in each of the three sampling locations—bedroom air, sleeping area air, and mattresses. The air in the sleeping area had higher chemical levels than the surrounding bedroom, confirming that bedding and other nearby items were likely contributing to children’s exposure. In many cases, the mattresses themselves released higher amounts of certain phthalates and flame retardants, while bedding appeared to be a major source of flame retardants.
These findings suggest that young children face increased chemical exposure while they sleep, a substantial concern given how much time they spend in their sleeping environments. The investigators proposed that parents reduce exposure by regularly washing bedding and sleepwear, as fabrics tend to trap airborne chemicals. Furthermore, some textiles can also release chemicals, so having fewer items in the bed is beneficial.
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Exposure to fine particulate matter in air pollution more than doubles the risk of developing eczema. journals.plos.org
Eczema, a chronic inflammatory skin condition, affects roughly 10% of people in the United States. Evidence suggests that environmental factors, including air pollution, influence the risk of developing eczema. A recent study found that exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), a key component of ambient air pollution, more than doubles the risk of eczema.
Researchers drew on data from adults enrolled in the All of Us Research Program. They compared people with eczema to those without, linking their zip codes to average annual PM2.5 concentrations. Then, they analyzed the relationship between PM2.5 levels and eczema while adjusting for factors like demographics, smoking, and other skin conditions.
They found that people with eczema were exposed to higher levels of PM2.5 than those without eczema. People with eczema lived in areas with about 2% higher PM2.5 concentrations, and the risk of eczema increased considerably with higher pollution levels. The odds of having eczema were more than twice as high (158%) in areas with the highest PM2.5 concentrations, even after accounting for smoking and other health conditions.
These findings suggest that air pollution contributes to the development of eczema. Given that PM2.5 can infiltrate the skin and contribute to skin barrier dysfunction, oxidative stress, and inflammation, addressing air pollution could be a key strategy for preventing and managing eczema. Sulforaphane, a bioactive compound derived from broccoli, promotes the excretion of air pollutants. Learn more in this clip featuring Dr. Jed Fahey.
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Children exposed to skincare lotions and oils have higher urinary phthalate levels—known endocrine disruptors—even when products are labeled "phthalate-free." ehp.niehs.nih.gov
The lotion you apply to your child’s skin might do more harm than good, according to new research. Children are especially vulnerable to harmful exposures through their skin because they have more skin surface area relative to their body size, better blood flow, and higher skin hydration than adults. A recent study found that using skincare lotions and oils significantly increased toxic phthalates in children’s urine.
Researchers surveyed parents of children aged 4 to 8 about their children’s use of skincare products and then tested the children’s urine for phthalates.
They discovered that children who used lotions had 1.17 times more mono-benzyl phthalate in their urine, and those exposed to oils had 2.86 times more monoethyl phthalate, 1.43 times more monobutyl phthalate, and 1.40 times more low-molecular-weight phthalates. Surprisingly, children who used products labeled “phthalate-free” didn’t have lower phthalate levels. The researchers speculated that phthalates used in packaging materials (such as bottles or tubes) migrated into the products.
These findings suggest that everyday skincare products, such as lotions or oils, expose children to high phthalate levels. Phthalates are known endocrine disruptors—compounds that can mimic or impair the activity of the body’s natural hormones and may harm children’s development and physiology.
Many skincare products also contain microplastics, which carry considerable health risks. Learn more about microplastics in our overview article.
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Air pollution may increase stroke risk for intracerebral hemorrhage by 54%. (2003) www.sciencedaily.com
Exposure to air pollution increases the risk of stroke by more than half.
Air pollution contains many toxic substances, including chemicals, gases, and particulate matter – a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets that exert neuroinflammatory effects. Exposure to air pollution promotes oxidative stress and increases the risk of developing many chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, hypertension, and diabetes, markedly shortening people’s lives. Findings from a 2003 study suggest that exposure to air pollution is associated with an increased risk of stroke.
A stroke is a neurological disorder characterized by the interruption of blood flow to the brain. Strokes are typically classified as either ischemic or hemorrhagic. Ischemic strokes, which account for approximately 87 percent of all strokes, are characterized by the blockage of an artery. Hemorrhagic strokes, which account for 13 percent of strokes, are characterized by bleeding from a blood vessel that supplies the brain.
The researchers reviewed admission data from hospitals in and around Kaohsiung, Taiwan, an industrial area known for its high levels of air pollution. They obtained air quality assessments of the same area via government monitoring stations that provided measurements of gases (sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and ozone) and particulate matter with diameters of 10 micrograms (PM10) or less. Because weather influences air quality, they also collected humidity and temperature readings from the government weather agency.
They found that exposure to higher levels of nitrogen dioxide and PM10 was associated with increased risk of stroke, especially on warm days (68°F or warmer). The risk of ischemic stroke increased by 55 percent for greater nitrogen dioxide exposure and by 46 percent for greater PM10 exposure. The risk for hemorrhagic stroke increased by 54 percent with greater exposure to either nitrogen dioxide or PM10.
These findings suggest that exposure to common air pollutants, especially during warmer weather, increases the risk of stroke. The investigators posited that this increased risk is due to the inflammatory effects of particulate matter and the increase in plasma viscosity and serum cholesterol levels that occur with exposure to high temperatures and humidity.
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Microplastics found deep in lungs of living people for first time www.theguardian.com
Microplastics found in human lungs.
Microplastics are small pieces of plastic or other polymer-based materials, typically less than five millimeters (about one-quarter inch) in size. They are ubiquitous environmental pollutants, having been identified in food (especially seafood), soil, drinking water, fresh- and saltwater bodies, and air. A recent study has identified microplastics in human lungs.
Exposure to microplastics has been associated with a wide range of negative health outcomes in humans. For example, a comprehensive review of the effects of microplastics revealed that the pollutants induce oxidative stress and increase the risk for metabolic dysfunction, neurotoxicity, and some cancers. Some of these effects may be due to compounds commonly associated with plastic manufacturing, such as bisphenol A, or BPA, phthalates, and heavy metals, that are present in and on microplastics.
The investigators collected lung tissue samples from the upper, middle, or lower lobe of 13 patients (average age, 63 years) undergoing scheduled lung surgery. They soaked the tissue samples in hydrogen peroxide to break down the tissue while maintaining the integrity of non-human materials. Then they characterized the materials using spectroscopy, a research tool that uses light scatter to measure concentration.
They identified a total of 39 microplastic fibers, fragments, or films in 11 of the 13 samples, an average of three per sample, ranging up to eight per sample and equating to approximately 0.69 microplastics per gram of tissue. They identified 12 different polymer types, the most abundant of which were polypropylene (23 percent) and polyethylene terephthalate (18 percent), commonly known as PET. Polypropylene is used in a wide range of manufacturing applications, including food containers and plastic pipes. PET is commonly used in water and soft drink bottles.
These findings demonstrate that inhaled microplastics may be present in human lungs. They also underscore the need for further investigation into the health effects of microplastic exposure.
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Particulate matter in wildfires harms the brain. www.eurekalert.org
Global climate change is driving an increase in wildfire activity characterized by larger fires and longer fire seasons. Wildfire smoke, which can spread over immense geographical areas, often contains a variety of pollutants and exerts a wide range of adverse effects on human health. Evidence from a new rodent study suggests that particulate matter in wildfires drives neuroinflammation, increasing the risk for neurodegenerative diseases.
Particulate matter in air pollution is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets. It is present in fine inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 2.5 micrograms (PM2.5) or less. Ultrafine particles less than 1 microgram in diameter, referred to as nanoparticles, are often enriched in highly reactive metals such as iron, aluminum, titanium, and others. Exposure to particulate matter in air pollution promotes oxidative stress, increases the risk of developing many chronic diseases, and accelerates aging.
The investigators studied the effects of wildfire smoke on mice that were housed in a mobile lab located roughly 186 miles (300 kilometers) away from naturally occurring wildfires in the western United States. They exposed the mice to the smoke for four hours every day for 20 days and assessed the animals' immune and inflammatory responses.
They found that the animals were exposed to high levels of PM2.5. This exposure switched on the activity of brain microglia (immune cells); promoted the infiltration of pro-inflammatory immune cells and molecules into the brain tissues; and increased accumulation of amyloid-beta 42, a toxic protein associated with Alzheimer’s disease and neurodegeneration. Particulate matter exposure also decreased the production of compounds that protect the brain against aging, such as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (commonly known as NAD+) and taurine.
These findings suggest that exposure to PM2.5 in wildfire smoke elicits harmful effects on the brain via activation of immune and inflammatory responses. The investigators noted that the mobile lab used in this study was located a considerable distance from the smoke sources, likely diluting the animals' exposure and reflecting PM2.5 exposures far lower than those experienced by humans living closer to the fires.
Robust evidence demonstrates that HEPA filter air purifiers reduce indoor PM2.5 concentrations and improve health outcomes, and many government agencies and public health authorities recommend the use of indoor HEPA filters to reduce wildfire smoke exposure and its negative health effects. In addition, well-fitting N95 masks and equivalent respirators can reduce PM2.5 exposure. Interestingly, dietary consumption of omega-3 fatty acids may help protect the brain from damage associated with PM2.5 exposure. Learn more about the health effects of omega-3 fatty acids in this episode featuring Dr. Bill Harris.
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Sulforaphane promotes the production of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that facilitates the body’s excretion of toxic substances. When glutathione binds with benzene, a known carcinogen present in air pollution, the two form mercapturic acids, which can be excreted and measured in urine. Findings from a 2019 study demonstrated that sulforaphane provided in a broccoli sprout beverage promoted excretion of benzene, as reflected in urinary mercapturic acid levels.
The intervention study involved 170 healthy adult participants between the ages of 21 and 65 years living in Qidong, China, an area known for its high levels of air pollution. The participants drank a placebo or a broccoli-sprout beverage containing one of three doses of sulforaphane – “high,” “medium,” or “low" – twice a day for a period of 10 days. After drinking the beverage, the participants provided a urine sample, which was assessed for benzene metabolites.
The authors of the study found that the high dose of sulforaphane markedly increased the production of several urinary metabolites. In particular, excretion of mercapturic acids increased by more than 63 percent in those taking the high dose. Mercapturic acid excretion in those who received the medium and low dose, however, was not significantly different from those who took the placebo.
These findings demonstrated that a broccoli sprout beverage containing sulforaphane enhanced the detoxication of benzene, an important airborne pollutant, and suggest that population-based strategies that employ a dietary approach are viable options for improving healthspan in humans.
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Nanoparticles in air pollution accumulate in the brains of young adults: A common denominator in neurodegenerative disease? www.sciencedaily.com
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) are the two most common neurodegenerative conditions in older adults, affecting a combined 36 million people worldwide. Evidence suggests that exposure to air pollution increases the risk of developing these diseases. Findings from a recent study demonstrate that particulate matter in air pollution accumulates in the brains of young adults and may serve as a common denominator in the pathophysiology of AD and PD.
Particulate matter in air pollution is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets. It is present in fine inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 2.5 micrograms or less. Ultrafine particles less than 1 microgram in diameter, referred to as nanoparticles, are often enriched in highly reactive metals such as iron, aluminum, titanium, and others. They may serve as catalysts for reactive oxygen species formation and promote protein misfolding and aggregation. Nanoparticles in air pollution are not regulated and carry many health risks. They are also present in food additives and food packaging materials.
The authors of the study documented biomarkers of AD and PD present in brainstem samples taken during the autopsies of 186 healthy children and young adults (age range, 11 months to 27 years) living in the metro area of Mexico City, a region known for its high levels of air pollution. They also conducted magnetic remanence studies to quantify the presence of metal-rich nanoparticles in the brainstem samples. Finally, using high resolution scanning and transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X ray analysis, they identified the composition, location, size, and shape of nanoparticles in the substantia nigra region of a randomly chosen single sample taken from the larger group. Damage to the substantia nigra is a hallmark of PD.
They found that all of the brainstem samples contained iron-, aluminum-, and titanium-rich nanoparticles. The quantity of nanoparticles varied among the brain samples, likely due to the level and duration of exposure. The authors posited that these nanoparticles could have been acquired via both oral and respiratory routes from food sources and airborne exposures, respectively. Damage to the mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and neuromelanin in the single brainstem sample correlated with the presence of iron-, aluminum-, and titanium-rich nanoparticles.
These findings suggest that exposure to nanoparticles is pervasive, with evidence confirmed as early as 11 months of age. Such exposures may put people living in urban areas where high levels of air pollutants are present at greater risk for developing AD and PD.
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Decreased exposure to air pollution associated with improved cognitive development and increases BDNF levels in children. www.sciencedaily.com
Exposure to air pollutants is associated with an increased risk of developing many health disorders, including heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections. Some evidence suggests that exposure to air pollution can impair neurological development in children. A 2014 study showed that reducing exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was associated with improved cognitive development and increased BDNF levels in children.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are produced during the combustion of coal, oil, gasoline, trash, tobacco, and wood. High-temperature cooking, such as grilling, promotes the formation of PAHs in meat and other foods. PAHs promote the formation of DNA adducts – covalent modifications of DNA that can drive carcinogenesis.
The study involved two cohorts of mother-child pairs who lived near a coal plant in China. One cohort of pairs was made up of 150 women who were pregnant while the coal power plant was operational and the other was made up of 158 women who were pregnant after it closed. None of the women smoked, and they all lived within 2.5 kilometers (about 1.5 miles) from the coal plant.
The authors of the study analyzed BDNF levels and their relationship to adduct formation and developmental outcomes in the two cohorts. They collected umbilical cord blood and maternal blood samples and measured the amount of DNA adducts in the samples. They also measured plasma levels of BDNF. When the children reached the age of two years, they underwent standardized testing that assessed motor, adaptive, language, and social development.
The children who were born to women who were pregnant after the plant closed had lower levels of PAH-DNA adducts, higher concentrations of BDNF, and higher developmental scores than those who were born to women who were pregnant when the plant was operational. Higher BDNF levels were associated with developmental scores. The findings suggest that reducing exposure to air pollutants during pregnancy lowers levels of PAH-DNA adducts and increases BDNF levels in infants.
Interestingly, clinical trials have demonstrated that sulforaphane, a compound derived from cruciferous vegetables (especially broccoli sprouts), can reduce the harmful effects of exposure to air pollutants (including PAHs) in humans. Sulforaphane works by switching on the activity of the body’s in-house detoxication pathways. Learn more about sulforaphane in this podcast featuring Dr. Jed Fahey.