Microplastics are plastic particles smaller than 5 mm. There are two types: primary microplastics, which are intentionally manufactured to be added to products (used, for example, in the manufacture of cosmetics, fertilizers, or detergents), and secondary microplastics, which are formed when plastic products break down during use and disposal (for example, from tire abrasion or the wear and tear of clothing during washing) (FOEN, 2025a).
In Switzerland, tire wear is the largest source of microplastics, generating more than 10,000 metric tons of microplastics per year. In households, the majority of microplastics come from washing synthetic clothing (approximately 650 metric tons per year). Microplastics are released every day all around us in a wide variety of areas, from construction to agriculture and even as additives in medications (FOEN 2020).
As a result, microplastics are found everywhere: in the air, in lakes, rivers, and soil, as well as in food and drinking water (FOEN 2020).
Major sources of contamination in everyday life
- Synthetic fabrics (polyester, polyamide, spandex, etc.): When machine-washed, these garments release plastic microfibers.
- Bottled water: A 2024 study (Qian et al.) found that each liter of bottled water contains approximately 240,000 plastic particles, 90% of which are nanoplastics (particles smaller than 0.001 mm).
- Tea bags: A 2024 study (Hernandez et al.) showed that a single plastic tea bag released 11.6 billion microplastics and 3.1 billion nanoplastics when steeped.
- Food packaged in plastic and plastic kitchen utensils: Several studies have shown that plastic particles can migrate into food due to high temperatures or prolonged storage.
- Air: A new study reveals very high levels of microplastics in indoor air. Very high concentrations were measured in homes, offices, and cars; the particles come from textiles, furniture, and carpeting (RTS, 2025).
- Cosmetics and personal care products: Certain plastic microbeads have long been used in products such as toothpaste, shower gel, and lotions. Their use in certain applications is now being phased out in Switzerland with the revision of the ORRChim, which will take effect in 2026 (see below).
The exact amount of microplastics we ingest remains unclear. An estimate published in 2019 by the WWF suggested that we might ingest up to 5 g per week (the equivalent of the weight of a credit card). However, more recent studies have called this estimate into question. A new study suggests that our brains may contain the equivalent of a teaspoon of plastic (Yakovenko et al. 2025). To date, there is no scientific consensus on the actual average amount ingested.
The Effects of Microplastics
The effects of microplastics on the environment and human health are still being studied, but here are a few concerning effects:
- Presence in the human body: Plastic particles have been found in the lungs, blood, liver, and even the brain (Nihart et al. 2025, Leslie et al. 2022).
- Cardiovascular risks: A study found that people with microplastics in their major arteries were 4.5 times more likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke (Marfella 2024).
- Effects on reproduction: Nanoplastics can enter the bloodstream and reach vital organs, including the reproductive system (Doroftei et al. 2025).
- Inflammation and toxicity: Microplastics can act as carriers of chemicals, such as phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA), which can disrupt the endocrine system (Kovacs et al. 2025).
Microplastics are also found in animals. For example, analyses conducted by Greenpeace Switzerland in 2025 revealed the presence of microplastics in the feces of wild mammals in Switzerland.
What does the Swiss law say?
In October 2025, Switzerland aligned its regulations with the restrictions introduced in the European Union through the revision of the Ordinance on the Reduction of Risks Associated with Chemicals (ORRChim). The marketing of preparations containing microplastics is now prohibited in certain applications, particularly in cosmetics and detergents.
When alternatives already exist, the ban takes effect immediately, for example, for loose plastic glitter and certain microplastics used as abrasives in cosmetics. For uses where substitution is more complex, transition periods extending through 2035 are provided to allow manufacturers to develop alternatives (Federal Council, 2025).
However, this regulation applies only to microplastics intentionally added to products. Particles produced unintentionally through the wear and tear of tires, textiles, or other objects are not covered by this ban.
Best Practices:
Although it is difficult to completely eliminate exposure to microplastics, there are certain measures that can help reduce it:
- Drink filtered water instead of bottled water and use a water bottle when you’re out and about.
- Choose loose-leaf tea (or paper tea bags) instead of plastic tea bags (find bulk stores near you on our Map of Zero Waste addresses).
- Limit your consumption of foods packaged in plastic and opt for glass or stainless steel for storage and cooking (for more information: Earth Action 2026).
- Do not reheat food in a plastic container.
- Ventilate your home regularly to limit the buildup of microplastics suspended in the air.
- Choose clothing made from natural fibers such as cotton or wool.
- Choose natural or homemade cosmetics and opt for makeup products free of microplastics: Starting in 2031, affected lipsticks, nail polishes, and other makeup products will be required to carry a label indicating whether they contain microplastics.
The Belgian Public Health Agency has a page with information on many good habits to adopt (in French): Let’s Reduce Microplastics, One Day at a Time | SPF Public Health
Conclusion
Although invisible to the naked eye, microplastics are everywhere: in the air, water, soil, food, and even inside our bodies, and we do not yet fully understand the extent of their impact. While research is advancing rapidly, many uncertainties remain regarding the extent of our exposure and the long-term effects on human health. In light of these uncertainties, adopting a few simple steps to limit the use of plastics in our daily lives can help reduce avoidable sources of microplastics. Beyond the potential health benefits, these choices also help reduce plastic pollution in our environment.
For more information:
National Geographic. (2025). How harmful are microplastics to our health? https://www.nationalgeographic.fr/environnement/sante-humaine-environnement-a-quel-point-les-microplastiques-sont-ils-nocifs-pour-notre-sante
RTS. (2021). Microplastics: What Are the Health Risks? https://www.rts.ch/play/tv/36-9/video/microplastiques–quels-dangers-pour-la-sante-?urn=urn:rts:video:12203964
RTS. (2025). Microplastics in the mouth from chewing gum, but nothing to worry about. https://www.rts.ch/info/sante/2025/article/des-microplastiques-dans-la-bouche-a-cause-des-chewing-gums-mais-rien-d-alarmant-28834186.html
RTS. (2026). Do We Ingest Microplastics When We Drink Tea Brewed from Tea Bags? https://www.rts.ch/emissions/abe/2026/video/avale-t-on-des-microplastiques-en-buvant-du-the-infuse-en-sachet-29305462.html
RTS. (2026). Microplastics in All-Purpose Potting Soil. https://www.rts.ch/emissions/abe/2026/media-article/microplastiques-dans-les-terreaux-5-produits-sur-6-en-contiennent-29239821.html
RTS (2026). Greenpeace warns of microplastics in baby bottles. https://www.rts.ch/info/sante/2026/article/microplastiques-dans-les-gourdes-pour-bebes-greenpeace-alerte-nestle-29257212.html
Sciences et Avenir. (2025). Microplastics are disrupting the balance of our microbiomes: https://www.sciencesetavenir.fr/sante/les-microplastiques-bouleversent-l-equilibre-de-nos-microbiotes_188664
United Nations Development Programme. (2024). Hidden in Plain Sight: Ten Things You Didn’t Know Contain Plastics. https://stories.undp.org/caches-sous-nos-yeux
Sources:
Montaigne Medical Academy. (2025). Microplastics: Health Impacts and Protective Measures. https://ac-med-montaigne.fr/microplastiques-impact-sante-et-protection/
Federal Council. (2025). Federal Council’s Revision of Ordinances on Chemicals, Contaminated Sites, Air and Biotope Protection, and Waste. https://www.admin.ch/fr/newnsb/YEYResdD0NwdQHu9NwtT6
Earth Action. (2026). From Pack to Plate: A Global Assessment of Micro- and Nanoplastics Migrating from Food Packaging into Food. https://www.e-a.earth/research/from-pack-to-plate/
Greenpeace Switzerland. (2025). Oh no, microplastics! https://www.greenpeace.ch/fr/publication/120588/crotte-du-microplastique/
National Institutes of Health. (2024). Plastic particles in bottled water. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/plastic-particles-bottled-water
FOEN. (2020). Plastic in the Swiss Environment. https://www.newsd.admin.ch/newsd/message/attachments/61314.pdf
FOEN. (2025a). Plastics in the Environment. https://www.bafu.admin.ch/fr/les-plastiques-dans-lenvironnement
FOEN. (2025b). Explanatory Report on the Amendment to the Ordinance on the Reduction of Risks Associated with Chemicals (ORRChim, RS 814.81). https://cms.news.admin.ch/fileservice/sdweb-docs-prod-nsbcch-files/files/2025/10/28/bf8037de-8003-4869-88cd-e04f61a62d35.pdf
RTS. (2025). Indoor air contains 100 times more microplastics than previously estimated, according to a study. https://www.rts.ch/info/sante/2025/article/microplastiques-dans-l-air-68-000-particules-inhalees-par-jour-alerte-une-etude-28957178.html
WWF Australia. (2019). Revealed: Plastic ingestion by people could be equivalent to a credit card a week. https://wwf.org.au/news/2019/revealed-plastic-ingestion-by-people-could-be-equating-to-a-credit-card-a-week/
Dorofnei et al. (2025). Microplastics and human fertility: A comprehensive review of their presence in human samples and reproductive implications. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651325012849
Kovacs et al. (2025). Microplastics, Endocrine Disruptors, and Oxidative Stress: Mechanisms and Health Implications. Microplastics, Endocrine Disruptors, and Oxidative Stress: Mechanisms and Health Implications
Leslie et al. (2022). Discovery and quantification of plastic particle pollution in human blood. Discovery and quantification of plastic particle pollution in human blood – ScienceDirect
Marfella et al. (2024). Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Atheromas and Cardiovascular Events. Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Atheromas and Cardiovascular Events | New England Journal of Medicine
Nihart, A.J., Garcia, M.A., El Hayek, E., et al. (2025). Bioaccumulation of microplastics in human brains from deceased individuals. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-024-03453-1
Yakovenko et al. (2025) Human exposure to PM10 microplastics in indoor air. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0328011