Plastic is in more places than we realize. While we're all aware of the usual suspects, such as bags, bottles or straws, many everyday things quietly contain this material.

Here are 10 unexpected items and settings where plastic is hiding in plain sight.

1. Dust

Dust is made up of all sorts of tiny particles, such as pollen, soot, dead skin cells and even microplastics.

These tiny plastic fragments come from a range of sources: the breakdown of plastic items we use at home, outdoor air pollution or synthetic fibers from our clothes (we'll get into it shortly).

To put it in perspective, about 6 of the 20 kilograms of dust generated each year in the average household consisting of microplastics. This means that, over time, we're exposed to a constant influx of tiny plastic particles in our homes. While we still don't have all the answers on the long-term effects of microplastics, experts are starting to raise alarms about a potential "plastic health crisis". 

2. Air

We could be inhaling tiny plastic particles at this very moment. Airborne microplastics surround us, originating from sources such as vehicle tire wear, industrial emissions and poorly managed plastic waste.

Tire wear alone is estimated to contribute between 3 percent to 7 percent of airborne particulate matter, which can travel vast distances, contaminating even the most remote environments, including Antarctic snow (we'll dive into this too, keep reading!). Once inhaled, microplastics can make their way to our organs, including the lungs.

3. Clothing

Our pants, dishcloths, jackets, towels… the list goes on! It's estimated that 60 percent of clothing and 70 percent of household textiles are made from synthetic plastic fibers such as acrylic, nylon, spandex and polyester. These materials are inexpensive and easily accessible, which is why they're favored by fast fashion brands.

But the problem doesn't end there. Beyond filling landfills and nature with waste, these synthetic fabrics also shed tiny microfibers during production, use and washing.

During production, the manufacturing and processing can generate microplastic particles that are released into the environment. When worn, the friction between the fabric and the skin can release microplastics. And when washed, especially in washing machines , synthetic fabrics release large amounts of microplastics into the water, which often end up in the ocean.

4. Fish

Widespread plastic pollution in the ocean has led to a troubling issue: fish are consuming microplastics.

A study found that, on average, 60 percent of fish from 198 species captured across 24 countries contain tiny plastic particles in their organs. As microplastics accumulate in their bodies, they move up the food chain, impacting other animals that prey on fish, including larger fish, birds and marine mammals. This also poses a direct threat to humans, as seafood is a major protein source for billions of people worldwide.

5. Salt

The salt we use to season our food likely contains microplastics. Multiple studies have found tiny plastic particles in various types of table salt, including sea, lake and rock salts.

Due to ocean pollution, sea salt consistently shows the highest contamination. A 2018 global analysis of 39 salt brands across 21 countries revealed microplastics in 90 percent of samples , with contamination levels correlating to regional environmental pollution. Since then, a 2020 analysis of existing studies confirmed widespread microplastic contamination in salt intended for human consumption.

6. Drink Cans

A can? Yes, it can! Aluminum cans often have a thin plastic lining on the inside, serving a crucial purpose: preventing the product from reacting with the metal. Without that layer, acidic drinks such as sodas or juices could cause the aluminum to corrode, changing the taste of the product and ruining the can.

While the plastic lining protects the product, scientists are concerned about its potential negative effects as the potential leaching of microplastics and harmful chemicals could impact the health of humans and the environment.

7. Human Blood

Plastics in human blood may sound like science fiction, but it's becoming an unsettling reality 

The exact cause-and-effect relationship between microplastics in human blood and health issues is not scientifically clear yet, but it's raising alarming questions. For instance, a three-year study discovered that people with tiny plastic particles lodged in a key blood vessel were more likely to experience serious health issues, such as heart attacks, strokes or even death.

Once in the blood, microplastics can travel to organs. More concerning is the fact that contamination begins before birth, as these tiny particles have made their way into the placentas of pregnant women and the food a baby consumes: human breast milk.

8. Tea Bags

Many traditional tea bags contain plastic to help them hold their shape and prevent them from disintegrating when steeped in hot water.

Research shows that steeping just one tea bag at brewing temperature (95°C) releases around 11.6 billion microplastics and 3.1 billion nanoplastics into a single cup of tea.

Another study found that some tea bags contain 'PFAS', surfactants used to make products waterproof, also known as 'forever chemicals' due to their resistance. These chemicals are difficult to break down naturally, and their durability is particularly concerning given recent research linking them to certain types of cancer and low birth weights.

9. Paper Cups

Most paper cups may seem environmentally friendly at first glance, but they're often coated with a thin layer of plastic (like some cans) to make them leak-proof and durable enough to hold hot beverages.

The plastic lining is typically made of polyethylene terephthalate, commonly known as 'PET', a material we're most familiar with in drink bottles . Many recycling facilities lack the capability to separate the paper from the plastic. As a result, only a small fraction of these cups are properly recycled. For example, in the UK, fewer than 1 in 400 paper cups are recycled.

10. Snow

For the first time ever, scientists have discovered microplastics in freshly fallen Antarctic snow , proving that plastic pollution has infiltrated even the most remote corners of the Earth. In 19 samples, they found an average of 29 particles per liter, with higher concentrations near research stations.

Researchers are concerned that dark microplastics could reduce the snow's albedo, or its ability to reflect sunlight, causing it to absorb more heat and speeding up ice melt. This discovery has wider implications for climate change , as melting glaciers contribute to rising sea levels and further disrupt ecosystems.

#BeatPlasticPollution

As countries work towards a global treaty to #BeatPlasticPollution, the 5th session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) is taking place in the Republic of Korea from 25 November to 1 December 2024. The goal is to develop a legally binding international agreement to end plastic pollution. To help you stay informed on these important global negotiations, we've put together this quick guide .

At UNDP, we're committed to tackling the global plastic pollution crisis. Across a portfolio of more than 200 projects and over 1,000 community initiatives in 132 countries, we're supporting governments in crafting and enforcing policies and regulation, piloting and scaling up innovative solutions, improving waste management systems, and empowering those who are most affected by this crisis. 

Learn more about UNDP's work to end plastic pollution by clicking here.

Source: UNDP