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What enters our bodies with the promise of strength and growth may now carry invisible pollutants that endanger our health, our future and the next generation, writes Nafew Sajed Joy

Milk — warm, familiar and nourishing — has long been cherished as the most complete food, especially for growing children. For millions of families across Bangladesh, it is more than just a drink; it is a daily ritual of care, comfort and nutrition.

But what if this very symbol of purity is quietly turning toxic?

A groundbreaking new study titled ‘Dairy Under the Microscope: A Study on Microplastic Pollution in Commercially Available Milk in Bangladesh’ has revealed something deeply unsettling. Regardless of whether it is branded or unbranded, liquid or powdered, ultra-heat treated or loose, every single milk sample tested was found to contain microplastics.

The worst offender? Loose powdered milk, with an astonishing 1,286.71 microplastic particles per litre. Most of these tiny plastic fragments are fibres made of low-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene and polypropylene — plastics commonly used in packaging and food processing.

Based on average consumption, a person in Bangladesh may unknowingly ingest between 650 and over 9,000 microplastic particles every day, just from milk.

Let that sink in.

What enters our bodies with the promise of strength and growth may now carry invisible pollutants that endanger our health, our future and the next generation.

But milk is only the tip of the iceberg. Our entire environment — air, water, soil and food — is increasingly contaminated with microplastics. Even the air we breathe, essential for survival, now carries microscopic plastic particles released as waste breaks down under heat, microbial activity and other natural processes. Microplastics are now widely recognised as a serious threat to ecosystems and public health.

Every year, around eight million tonnes of plastic waste enter rivers, canals, wetlands and ultimately, the oceans. To grasp the scale: if all the plastic ever produced were piled up, it would form a mountain taller than Mount Everest. Among this vast accumulation, microplastics are arguably the most dangerous. Originating from common household items, they enter the human body through air, food and water. Alarming research has even detected microplastics in human blood and breast milk. These invisible toxins are silent invaders, pushing humanity towards an unprecedented health crisis.

Microplastics — often called ‘nurdles’ — originate from a variety of sources. Fertilisers used in agriculture are a major airborne contributor; when dry, microplastic particles mix with the air. Synthetic carpets and clothing also shed substantial amounts. Technically, microplastics are plastic particles smaller than 5 millimetres — about five times smaller than an inch. The most dangerous are even smaller, invisible to the naked eye.

Plastic has embedded itself in every aspect of modern life. From bottled water and plastic shopping bags to food packaging and containers, it is omnipresent. Even personal care products such as toothpaste, face wash, nail polish and detergent powders contain microplastics. These particles make their way into our bodies silently and steadily.

The oceans bear a heavy burden. An estimated 51 trillion microplastic particles float in the seas today, formed when sunlight breaks down larger plastic debris. Marine organisms consume these particles, starting from plankton and moving up the food chain — eventually reaching us. Fish, seabirds and other wildlife often suffer fatal blockages from ingesting plastic waste.

Unlike natural materials, microplastics do not biodegrade. These synthetic materials persist indefinitely in water systems like rivers, canals and oceans. Even bottled drinking water and tea brewed with plastic-infused tea bags have been found to contain microplastics. A Canadian study by McGill University found that steeping a tea bag in hot water can release up to 11.6 billion nanoplastics into a single cup.

Clothing fibres made of polyester and nylon also significantly contribute to microplastic pollution.

This widespread contamination poses an irreversible threat to biodiversity. Microplastics have been linked to cancer, hormonal imbalances, reproductive disorders and other severe health issues. Found even in human lungs, there is no known way for the body to expel them. Research shows that polyethylene terephthalate (PET), used in bottled water, is the most common plastic detected in human blood, followed by polystyrene and polyethylene. Many of these plastics release chemicals that mimic oestrogen, disrupting the endocrine system.

In Bangladesh, environmental scientists at Jahangirnagar University have found microplastics in everyday items like sugar and tea. National sugar consumption may expose the population to over 10 tonnes of microplastics annually. Tea bags from five popular brands were found to contain various plastic components, including PTFE, HDPE, polycarbonate, PVC, nylon and cellulose acetate.

Inhalation of airborne microplastics, especially those carrying xenoestrogens, may lead to hormonal imbalances and long-term effects on metabolism and fertility.

Beyond inhalation, new research is uncovering even more insidious routes through which microplastics enter our food chain.

Researchers from Noakhali Science and Technology University reported alarming levels of microplastic contamination in sea salt produced in Bangladesh. Between 560 and 1,253 particles per kilogram were found in raw salt collected from 12 coastal sites in Cox’s Bazar and Chattogram. Their 2023 study, published in Regional Studies in Marine Science, reported significantly higher contamination than a similar 2021 study. Offshore areas like Kutubdia had the highest concentrations. Most particles were microfibres and foams, originating from toiletries and plastic waste. A separate study by Jahangirnagar University found similar contamination in commercial salt, estimating that individuals may ingest over 13,000 particles per year. Experts warn this poses severe public health risks, affecting digestion, liver and kidney function. Urgent action is needed to reduce pollution in coastal waters.

A 2018 study by the University of Reading found that mosquito larvae can ingest microplastics, which are retained through their life cycle into adult mosquitoes. This suggests microplastics may also enter the food chain through airborne vectors, as birds, bats and spiders feed on these insects. Though conducted in a controlled setting, researchers believe this is likely occurring in nature, highlighting a previously overlooked exposure pathway.

Studies confirm that microplastics and their toxic chemical cargo compromise vital organ functions, weaken immunity and increase susceptibility to infections. Hazardous elements such as fluoride, arsenic and aluminium, found in microplastics, can build up toxically in the body. Phthalates, widely used in plastics, interfere with cell division and are linked to liver cancer.

These particles are now found in the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat. Their presence in human blood and vital organs constitutes a growing public health emergency that demands urgent and comprehensive action.

Plastic pollution in Bangladesh remains a major concern. Despite being the first country to ban plastic bags in 2002 under the Environmental Conservation Act 1995, plastic use has not declined substantially. Polythene bags remain widely used due to their low cost and accessibility. Although the eco-friendly Sonali Bag offers a viable alternative, it has yet to see large-scale adoption.

Bangladesh’s successful promotion of jute packaging through the 2010 Jute Packaging Act offers a glimmer of hope. Initially covering five essential products, it has since been expanded with the support of Bangladesh Bank.

Globally, many countries have taken robust steps to combat microplastic pollution. The European Union banned single-use plastics in 2021 and required the removal of microbeads from cosmetics. The UK, Canada, USA, Australia, Japan, India and others have introduced bans, taxes and public campaigns to reduce plastic waste. Germany and Norway have implemented highly effective deposit-return schemes, achieving near-total plastic bottle returns. Sweden’s advanced recycling infrastructure results in less than one percent of plastic waste ending up in landfill. These examples show that with sound policies and public engagement, meaningful progress is possible.

In contrast, plastic recycling in Bangladesh remains underdeveloped. Improper disposal results in plastic waste accumulating on riverbanks and roadsides, eventually entering the environment. Of the 6,464 tonnes of daily waste collected in Bangladesh, roughly 646 tonnes are plastic. Nearly half ends up in landfills, while much of the rest is either recycled informally or discharged into water bodies. Dhaka alone has over 1,700 plastic waste hotspots, many polluting rivers daily. It is estimated that 1 to 3 billion microplastic particles flow into the Bay of Bengal each day via the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna river system — particularly from Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet.

To tackle the microplastic crisis, Bangladesh must take action on all fronts. This includes banning single-use plastics like bags and straws, while promoting reusable options and local innovations such as cloth bags and the Sonali Bag. Strengthening recycling systems, raising public awareness and enforcing plastic waste regulations are essential, along with offering incentives to businesses that adopt sustainable practices. Investment in research and filtration technologies is critical, as is incorporating plastic pollution education into school curricula. Community clean-up efforts and international collaboration are also key, since plastics travel far beyond borders.

Bangladesh once led the way in banning plastic bags. It can lead again. Every mother breastfeeding her child and every family eating fish is now exposed to this invisible threat. It is time for individuals, businesses and the government to take collective responsibility and act to safeguard our health, our rivers and our children’s future.

Plastic may be inseparable from modern life today — but that does not mean we are powerless. By supporting local alternatives, adopting reusable habits and demanding effective policies, Bangladesh can chart a course towards a plastic-free future.

The time to act is now — before microplastics become an irreversible burden on our planet and our health.

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Nafew Sajed Joy is a researcher,Ìýwriter and environmentalist.