Where are the artificial particles found, and what can be done about them?
We have long been living in a world made of plastic: plastic bags, plastic bottles, plastic toys… plastic everywhere you look. But what about the smallest plastic particles – so-called microplastics? Are they just as widespread? What about their health effects and: How can we protect ourselves from them?
\nTo get closer to the topic of microplastics, it is first absolutely essential to understand what exactly lies behind this term. Because unlike immediately recognizable plastic, these tiny pieces of plastic are generally not visible to the naked eye. So it is hardly surprising that these small artificial pieces are smaller than 1 micrometer and are therefore also called nanoplastics.
In addition to the obligatory plastic, other chemical ingredients such as bisphenol A or various plasticizers can also be found, making products lighter, more flexible, or more shatter-resistant.
\nThe crux of the matter: These substances have long been suspected of being harmful to health or even carcinogenic. A worrying piece of news, especially when you know that there are so-called primary and secondary microplastics.
So we speak of…
![\"Underwater](\"/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/artikel-hintergrund-mikroplastik.jpg\")
Did you know? These sizes apply to the official classification of…
\n\n\n\nNanoplastics: 1 nm – 1 µm
Microplastics:1 µm – 1 mm
Mesoplastics: 1 mm – 1 cm
Macroplastics: 1 cm – 100 cm
Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it isn’t there! Unfortunately, this fact applies 100% to microplastics. Especially when you know about the immense spread of secondary microplastics:
![\"Circular](\"https://wordpress-539598-3467230.cloudwaysapps.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/illu-kreislauf-mikroplastik_DE.svg\")
The logical conclusion? Microplastics inevitably enter our environment. Starting with the oceans and our groundwater, all the way to our air and precipitation, such as in the form of snow, as Russian researchers were also recently able to prove. Decomposition caused by the sun also plays its part in releasing microplastics into nature.
The consequence: Microplastics therefore inevitably enter our human food chain. Not only do fish and marine animals ingest the tiny particles, we unfortunately also take in microplastics through the air we breathe and the water we drink. The health consequences for us? Official bodies, such as politicians or various lobbyists, are still hotly debating this and pointing to a lack of scientific studies and reliable data. However, common sense alone clearly says: This cannot possibly be healthy and must have health consequences. Primary microplastics that contain substances such as BPA, which is officially considered potentially harmful to health, must inevitably also lead to health problems.
\nTo give you a sense of which products may contain primary microplastics, we have put together a short list for you. This makes it easier for you to look out for a microplastic-free alternative. Because: There are definitely ways to avoid them.
Here is another helpful tip. These terms indicate microplastics and help you recognize them directly when shopping: Acrylates Copolymer (AC), Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), Polyurethan (PUR), Polyethylen (PE), Polyquaternium (P), Polyethylenterephthalat (PET), Polypropylen (PP), Nylon-12, Nylon-6, Acrylate Crosspolymer (ACS), Polyacrylate (PA), Polystyrene (PS)
These apps also help detect microplastics in products during everyday shopping: Codecheck, Bett the Micro Bead or Replace Plastic App
\n![\"Diagram](\"https://wordpress-539598-3467230.cloudwaysapps.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/illu-mikroplastik-produkte_DE.svg\")
![\"Diagram](\"https://drreinwald.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/illu-mikroplastik-produkte_DE.svg\")
Even if you avoid primary microplastics, unfortunately there is no escaping secondary ones. The tiny nanoparticles are already too widespread in our environment and therefore in our food cycle. The result: Microplastics come back to us h" }, "media": { "images": [ { "url": false, "alt": "", "type": "featured", "id": 13985 }, { "url": "/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/artikel-hintergrund-mikroplastik.jpg", "alt": "", "type": "inline", "id": null } ], "featured_image": { "url": false, "alt": "" } }, "ai_context": { "faq": { "type": "summary", "source": "generated", "visible": false, "confidence": "high", "purpose": [ "semantic_comprehension", "entity_disambiguation", "answer_generation" ] }, "semantic_qa": { "type": "summary", "source": "generated", "visible": false, "confidence": "low", "quality_score": 0, "purpose": [ "semantic_comprehension", "entity_disambiguation", "answer_generation" ], "items": [ { "answer": "Microplastics are tiny plastic particles typically classified between 1 micrometer and 1 millimeter in size. Even smaller particles are often referred to as nanoplastics.", "question": "What are microplastics?" }, { "answer": "Primary microplastics are intentionally added to products such as cosmetics, cleaners or certain materials. Secondary microplastics form when larger plastic items break down through abrasion, sunlight, water or weathering.", "question": "What is the difference between primary and secondary microplastics?" }, { "answer": "Microplastics have been detected in oceans, groundwater, air, snow, soil, food chains and consumer products. They can enter the body through food, drinking water and inhaled air.", "question": "Where are microplastics found?" }, { "answer": "Primary microplastics may be found in some cosmetics, household cleaners, synthetic textiles, masks and plastic-based product formulations. Ingredient names such as PE, PP, PET, PMMA, PUR, PS and Nylon can indicate plastic polymers.", "question": "Which products can contain primary microplastics?" }, { "answer": "Research is still developing, but concerns exist because microplastics may carry additives such as BPA and plasticizers, which have been associated with potential health risks. Reducing exposure is a sensible precaution.", "question": "Are microplastics harmful to health?" }, { "answer": "You can reduce exposure by choosing microplastic-free cosmetics and cleaners, avoiding unnecessary plastic packaging, using shopping apps that identify plastic ingredients, filtering water where appropriate and reducing single-use plastics.", "question": "How can I reduce exposure to microplastics?" }, { "answer": "Chitosan is a natural dietary fiber that can bind small particles and is used in purification technologies. PlastiCLEAN contains vegan chitosan from oyster mushrooms, along with B vitamins and folate to support the body’s detoxification processes.", "question": "How may chitosan support microplastic detox?" } ] } }, "faq_detection": { "status": "none", "visible": false, "source": "", "source_label": "", "quality_score": 0, "item_count": 0 }, "related": [ { "title": "10 Sweet Reasons Why Low Carb & No Sugar Makes You Stronger", "url": "https://drreinwald.com/en/__trashed-3/", "type": "post" }, { "title": "What Your Skin Really Wants to Tell You", "url": "https://drreinwald.com/en/what-your-skin-really-wants-to-tell-you/", "type": "post" }, { "title": "Spring for Your Metabolism: How Organic Sulfur (MSM) Gets You Moving Again", "url": "https://drreinwald.com/en/spring-for-your-metabolism-how-organic-sulfur-msm-gets-you-moving-again/", "type": "post" }, { "title": "Fasting - Your Body’s Restart", "url": "https://drreinwald.com/en/fasting-your-bodys-restart/", "type": "post" }, { "title": "Happy Gut, Happy Mind: How Your Gut Bacteria Influence Your Mood and Well-Being", "url": "https://drreinwald.com/en/happy-gut-happy-mind-how-your-gut-bacteria-influence-your-mood-and-well-being/", "type": "post" } ] }