Plastic has become a part of nearly every aspect of modern life.
More than 400 million tons are produced each year, and the waste is polluting beaches, rivers, and even the deepest parts of the ocean—some as far down as 11,000 meters.
Plastic is also a major contributor to climate change, releasing about 1.8 billion tons of greenhouse gases annually during production.
But beyond its impact on the environment, scientists are now finding troubling evidence that plastics may also be harming human health—including our bones.
Over time, tiny plastic particles called microplastics break away from everyday items such as furniture, curtains, clothes, packaging, and other objects.
These particles are so small that they can float in the air, dissolve into drinking water, stick to food, or enter the body through inhalation, ingestion, or even skin contact.
Researchers have already discovered microplastics in human blood, the brain, the placenta, breast milk, and bones.
Now, new evidence suggests that microplastics may be directly affecting bone health. A review of 62 scientific studies, published in Osteoporosis International, found that microplastics can harm bones in several ways.
One major concern is their effect on bone marrow stem cells, which normally help maintain and repair bones.
Microplastics appear to encourage the production of osteoclasts—cells that break down bone tissue. While osteoclasts are a natural part of the bone renewal process, too much activity leads to bone weakening, deformities, and a higher risk of fractures.
Rodrigo Bueno de Oliveira, coordinator of the Laboratory for Mineral and Bone Studies at the State University of Campinas in Brazil, explained that laboratory experiments with bone cells showed worrying effects.
Microplastics reduced cell survival, sped up cell aging, disrupted cell development, and triggered inflammation.
Animal studies revealed even more serious consequences: the particles caused early aging of osteoclasts, which damaged the bone’s microstructure. In some cases, skeletal growth was interrupted entirely.
Although scientists are still working to fully understand how microplastics influence bone strength and function, Oliveira notes that the evidence so far points to significant risks. “What is most striking,” he says, “is that a large number of studies suggest microplastics can travel deep into bone tissue, including bone marrow, where they may interfere with metabolism.”
Because of these findings, Oliveira and his team are beginning a new research project to directly test the connection between microplastic exposure and bone health. Using animal models, they will examine whether microplastics weaken bones such as the femur and increase the risk of fractures.
This research is particularly urgent because osteoporosis and other bone diseases are already a growing global health issue. According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, osteoporosis-related fractures are expected to rise by 32% worldwide by 2050 as populations continue to age.
Doctors already know that healthy habits such as regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and certain medications can strengthen bones and reduce fracture risk.
But Oliveira stresses that scientists have not yet studied how environmental factors like microplastics contribute to bone disease. If microplastics are shown to play a role, they could represent a new, preventable risk factor for osteoporosis and other bone conditions.
“Improving quality of life and reducing bone complications is a key goal of health care,” Oliveira says.
“If we can show that microplastics are a controllable environmental cause, it may help explain the rising number of bone fractures—and give us a chance to prevent them.”
