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Plastics have become part of nearly every aspect of modern life—strong, lightweight, and versatile. But when plastic waste escapes into the environment, it doesn’t simply disappear. Sunlight, wind, and water gradually break it down into microscopic pieces known as microplastics and nanoplastics. Once these particles enter waterways, they can travel great distances and potentially return to us through the water we drink and the food we eat.
From Rivers to Drinking Water
Recent studies have found plastic particles in both bottled and tap water around the world. In 2024, researchers at Columbia University detected 110,000–400,000 nanoplastic particles per liter of bottled water, using advanced laser-scattering techniques (PNAS, 2024, Nan et al.). Microplastics have also been documented in fish, shellfish, and other foods tied to aquatic environments (Science of the Total Environment, 2023, Li et al.).
These findings suggest that once plastic enters rivers and streams, it can move through entire ecosystems—eventually reaching human consumption pathways.
What Researchers Are Finding in the Body
In the past two years, scientists have discovered traces of plastic in human tissue. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine (Avolio et al., 2024) found microplastics and nanoplastics in 58% of arterial plaque samples, with those patients showing a higher risk of heart attack or stroke. Another 2025 study in Nature Medicine (Zhao et al.) identified microplastics in human brain, liver, and kidney tissues, demonstrating that small particles can cross biological barriers and accumulate within vital organs.
Additionally, researchers have detected plastic fragments in human testicular tissue, suggesting potential implications for reproductive health (Toxicological Sciences, 2024, Li et al.). Though these findings do not yet prove harm, they highlight the need for ongoing study into how chronic exposure might affect the body over time.
Prevention Starts Upstream
Every piece of plastic litter that enters a creek or storm drain has the potential to become part of this cycle. Preventing plastics from reaching waterways in the first place is one of the most effective ways to reduce exposure risks.
At Storm Water Systems, we design technologies like the Bandalong™ Litter Trap, Bandalong Bandit™, and StormX™ Netting Trash Trap to intercept debris where it starts—keeping plastics out of rivers and helping protect both ecosystems and public health.
Cleaner water upstream means healthier communities downstream.
