Several months ago,  Dr Norman Swan spoke about microplastics and he started to make changes at home. Since then, Dr Rachel Dolhun from MJFF and Dr Michael Okun have also posted about microplastics and Parkinson’s (on LinkedIn and Substack, respectively).

So, what’s the deal with these ubiquitous tiny plastics floating in the air for us to breathe in, sitting on our food to eat, and bottled in our water to drink? What are the growing concerns for our overall health, and where does Parkinson’s fit in?

What are microplastics and nanoplastics?

Plastic is everywhere in our modern world, but it doesn’t just disappear. Over time, items like packaging, clothing, and tyres break down into tiny fragments. First, we need to know what these little devils are: 
  • Microplastics are fragments smaller than 5 millimetres. Think about the size of a grain of rice or a sesame seed.
  • Nanoplastics are even smaller, measuring less than 1 micrometre. They are thousands of times thinner than a human hair and are invisible to the naked eye.
…and where do they occur?
  • Clothing fibres from synthetic fabrics like polyester or nylon release millions of tiny plastic threads into the water when washed.
  • Synthetic fibre rugs shed tiny particles every day. They often trap more dust and allergens as well.
  • Using a plastic chopping board or plastic utensils in the kitchen can shed small particles directly into the food you eat.
  • As car tyres wear down on the road, they release plastic dust into the air we breathe.

Where does Parkinson’s fit in?

Research into the link between plastics and Parkinson’s is a new but growing field. Scientists are concerned because plastic production has increased at a similar rate to the rise in Parkinson’s cases over the last 50 years. 

The main concerns for brain health:

  1. Reaching the brain: Because nanoplastics are so small, they can cross the “blood-brain barrier”—the body’s natural shield that normally keeps toxins out of the brain. This can negatively affect mood, social behaviour, memory and learning.
  2. Protein clumping: Parkinson’s is linked to the clumping of a protein called alpha-synuclein in the brain. Recent studies show that certain nanoplastics can act like a “scaffold,” causing this protein to clump much faster than usual.
  3. Cellular damage: Once inside brain cells, these particles can disrupt the “lysosomes” (the cell’s waste disposal system) and the “mitochondria” (the cell’s energy factories), leading to inflammation and damage to the neurons that produce dopamine.
  4. The “Leaky” gut: Microplastics can physically irritate the intestinal lining, causing inflammation and tiny lesions. They can damage the lining of the intestines and change our gut bacteria. This “leaky gut” may allow toxins to enter the bloodstream and, through the gut-brain axis, eventually affect the brain.
  5. Changes to the microbiome: The gut is home to trillions of bacteria that help regulate brain health. Ingesting microplastics disrupts this delicate balance, a state called dysbiosis. Chronic exposure to plastics can decrease “good” bacteria and increase the abundance of pathogenic (harmful) bacteria

How can you limit microplastics in your home?

While we cannot avoid plastics entirely, we can follow the “precautionary principle” and take simple, reasonable steps to reduce our exposure risks where possible. These healthier choices we make will have broader benefits for ourselves and our loved ones with Parkinson’s.

In the home

Every natural-fibre item you add reduces the amount of synthetic shedding overall. You don’t need to overhaul your whole home, but small swaps help:

  • Wool or cotton rugs
  • Linen or cotton cushions
  • Wooden, natural fibres or metal toys
  • Natural-fibre throws, blankets & bedding

A great rug for a home is one made from natural fibres like wool, cotton, jute, or sisal, because these materials don’t shed microplastics, are more breathable, and generally bring fewer chemical additives into the home. Synthetic rugs are affordable and easy to clean, but they can release microplastic fibres, trap more dust, and sometimes off‑gas when new, which makes them less ideal for high‑traffic areas. If you want something both practical and plastic‑free, a low‑pile wool or cotton rug strikes the best balance: durable, easier to vacuum, naturally flame‑resistant, and far lower in synthetic shedding than polyester or polypropylene options. n.b. rugs may be a tripping hazard for people living with Parkinson’s unless secured to the floor, speak to your OT about suitable products.

In the kitchen

Take a look in the fridge. Nearly everything comes in plastic containers. Could you buy butter and put it in a ceramic or glass butter dish instead of purchasing the plastic tubs in the shops? If it comes in plastic, can you put it straight into an alternative container for storing in the fridge?

  • Ditch plastic chopping boards! Replace with wooden or stainless steel ones.
  • Use stainless steel, cast iron, or wooden spoons and spatulas instead of plastic ones.
  • Change your food storage containers to glass, ceramic, or stainless steel. You can save and reuse glass jars from food items you purchased.
  • Use beeswax wraps, paper bags or cloth covers instead of plastic cling film.
  • Avoid microwaving food in plastic containers, as heat causes more plastic to leak into your meal.
  • Also, avoid putting plastics in the dishwasher, as heat causes the plastic to leech onto your other items.
  • Wash hands before meal prep and meals.

Air & dust

  • Periodically open windows and doors to let fresh air in and allow indoor microplastic dust to flow out. Even 10 minutes a day makes a difference.
  • Vacuum frequently, especially if you have carpets, as they are a major source of plastic fibres in household dust.
  • Use an air purifier with a HEPA filter, which is designed to trap tiny particles as small as 0.3 microns. Maintain the filter and clean it or replace the filter regularly.

Water & laundry

  • Use a water filter for drinking. Reverse osmosis systems are highly effective, removing up to 99.9% of microplastics due to their extremely small pore sizes (0.0001 microns).
  • Microplastics have been found in 93% of bottled water samples; filtered tap water is often a cleaner choice than bottled.
  • AVOID reusing soft plastic bottles and leaving plastic bottles in hot cars.
  • Install a microfiber filter on your washing machine or use a washing bag to catch fibres before they enter the water system.
  • Wash in cold water, gentle cycles only when needed, using only a tablespoon of washing liquid for best results.
  • Air-dry clothes instead of tumble drying.
  • If you have one, ensure your clothes dryer exhausts to the outside of your home rather than blowing air back into your laundry room.

Clothing

Most microplastic exposure outdoors comes from synthetic clothing shedding fibres (especially fleece, activewear, and cheap polyester). You don’t need to overhaul your wardrobe, but you can:

  • Prioritise cotton, linen, wool, hemp for everyday wear
  • AVOID very fuzzy synthetic fabrics (they shed the most)
  • Layer natural fibres under synthetic jackets to reduce skin contact
  • Wear leather or canvas shoes instead of synthetic mesh
  • Wear wool scarves instead of acrylic

Out & about

  • Take a stainless steel bottle or glass bottle with a silicone sleeve along with you because bottled water, especially when stored warm, contains significantly more microplastics than tap water.
  • Scour the op shops for something secondhand in natural fibres.
  • Participate in Plastic-Free July.
  • Go to whole-foods and markets to grocery shop.
  • Bring your own cotton bag or ask for a cardboard box to put your purchases in.
  • Refill your own containers when possible.
  • Refuse single-use plastics when out. Dine-in or ask for cardboard or paper containers instead.
  • If you’re at a park or sports field, sit on a blanket if it is artificial grass. It sheds a lot of microplastics, especially in warm weather.

10 things you can do every day to lighten your microplastic load

Start making these small changes at home & in the workplace:

1. Do short, gentle cleaning bursts instead of long sessions

  • A quick 2–5 minute vacuum or sweep in one area is easier than a full clean.
  • If a HEPA vacuum feels heavy, handheld models or lightweight stick vacuums are easier to manage.
  • Don’t forget about helpful robot vacuums that you can program and let them do their daily cleans for you.
  • Use a damp cloth for surfaces, dry dusting spreads fibres into the air.

2. Open windows briefly for fresh air

  • Just 5–10 minutes of ventilation reduces airborne fibres.
  • This requires no physical effort and can be done while sitting nearby.

3. Choose natural‑fibre clothing for comfort and lower shedding

  • Cotton, linen, or wool base layers are comfortable, breathable, and shed fewer microplastics.
  • They’re also easier to wash and often softer on sensitive skin.
  • Instead of many cushions or throws, keep just a few natural‑fibre ones.
  • This reduces dust and shedding while keeping the home easier to manage.

4. Use a reusable stainless‑steel or glass water bottle

This reduces microplastic intake from bottled water. Choose one with:

  • A wide mouth
  • A simple lid
  • A non‑slip grip

These are easier to open and hold.

5. Wash hands before meals

  • A simple habit that removes microplastics picked up from surfaces.
  • If handwashing is difficult, keep gentle, fragrance‑free wipes nearby.

6. Filter your water & your air

  • Use a water filter for drinking. Reverse osmosis systems are highly effective
  • Use an air purifier with a HEPA filter, which is designed to trap tiny particles as small as 0.3 microns. Maintain the filter and clean it or replace the filter regularly.

7. Wash synthetic clothes less often

  • This reduces shedding, saves energy and reduces workload.
  • Gentle cycles and cold water are easier on fabrics and require no extra effort.
  • A tablespoon of washing liquid is enough to clean a load, too much detergent and your clothes don’t get clean without an extra rinse.

8. Avoid microwaving plastic and never put it in the dishwasher. 

  • Avoid microwaving food in plastic containers, as heat causes more plastic to leak into your meal.
  • Also, avoid putting plastics in the dishwasher, as heat causes the plastic to leech onto your other items.

9. Avoid sitting directly on synthetic turf or worn plastic seating

This avoids contact with high‑shedding surfaces. If you’re outdoors, choose:

  • Wooden benches
  • Metal seating
  • A small foldable cloth or blanket to sit on instead of synthetic turf.

10. Replace old, crumbling plastic items gradually

You don’t need to overhaul anything all at once. Choose wood, metal, or glass alternatives when possible. Replace items as they wear out, especially:

  • Old plastic storage tubs
  • Worn synthetic mats and rugs
  • Cracked, damaged, or stained plastic containers
  • Plastic cutting boards that are scuffed and damaged by cuts

Articles online

References

  • Bevi. (2025, March 25). Does reverse osmosis remove microplastics? https://www.bevi.co/blog/does-reverse-osmosis-remove-microplastics/
  • Erro, R., Sorrentino, C., & Barone, P. (2025). Plastamination: A rising concern for Parkinson’s disease. Movement Disorders, 40(8), 1528–1533. https://doi.org/10.1002/mds.30253
  • Lin, L., Li, J., Zhu, S., Zhang, Z., Li, Z., Xu, P., & Guo, W. (2026). Micro-nanoplastics and Parkinson’s disease: Evidence and perspectives. npj Parkinson’s Disease, 12, Article 272. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41531-026-01272-4
  • Liu, Z., Sokratian, A., Duda, A. M., Xu, E., Stanhope, C., Fu, A., Strader, S., Li, H., Yuan, Y., Bobay, B. G., Sipe, J., Bai, K., Lundgaard, I., Liu, N., Hernandez, B., Rickman, C. B., Miller, S. E., & West, A. B. (2023). Anionic nanoplastic contaminants promote Parkinson’s disease–associated α-synuclein aggregation. Science Advances, 9(46), eadi8716. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adi8716
  • National Institutes of Health. (2023, December 12). Nanoplastics may help set the stage for Parkinson’s risk. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/nanoplastics-may-help-set-stage-parkinsons-risk
  • Okun, M. (2026, February 8). A growing blind spot: Microplastics and the future of brain health. https://michaelokun.substack.com/p/a-growing-blind-spot-microplastics
  • University of Technology Sydney. (2025, December 4). Five ways microplastics may harm your brain. https://www.uts.edu.au/news/2025/12/five-ways-microplastics-may-harm-your-brain
Share

Other articles

  • Managing Symptoms | UTIs

    Bladder issues can feel private and difficult to talk about, but they are an incredibly common part of living with Parkinson's. Please do not ignore these symptoms or accept them as an inevitable part of ageing. By understanding the risks, staying vigilant for the signs of delirium, and speaking openly with your care team, you can manage your symptoms, prevent severe infections, and maintain a much higher quality of life.

  • CARE TEAM | Neurologist

    What do neurologists do? Reprinted from the Parkinson's Australia infohub | Neurologist infosheet. A neurologist is a medical doctor specialising in diagnosing and treating disorders affecting the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles. They are trained to evaluate and manage a wide range of neurological conditions, such as epilepsy, stroke, multiple [...]

  • 101 | Hormonal stages & Parkinson’s

    Women experience very different hormonal environments at different life stages. Grouping all women together can hide important biological signals. Our research findings suggest that considering menopausal status reveals patterns that aren’t visible when only comparing males and females.