Microplastics and Health: What Nurse Practitioners Need to Know

Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are increasingly prevalent in our environment and, alarmingly, are now being detected in the human body, raising significant concerns for human health. MNPs have been identified in placentas, blood, testes, brains, and kidneys, illustrating their ability to cross biological barriers and accumulate in vital organs. These particles present health risks that nurse practitioners must understand and be prepared to address. This review synthesizes emerging research, with particular attention to recent findings on MNPs in human tissues and the endocrine-disrupting chemicals they transport and release. By highlighting both mechanistic insights and clinical implications, we emphasize practical strategies for patient counseling, prevention, and advocacy. These strategies are situated within a broader framework of environmental and planetary health.