Living by the sea may sound idyllic, but new research reveals a hidden danger that could be shaving years off the lives of millions of Americans: microplastics.
A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association has found that coastal counties with high levels of microplastic pollution in nearby ocean waters have significantly higher rates of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke—all major drivers of early death. Researchers discovered that counties with the highest microplastic concentrations saw 18% more diabetes, 7% more coronary artery disease, and 9% more strokes compared to cleaner regions.
Microplastics are tiny plastic fragments less than 5 millimeters wide—smaller than a pencil eraser. These particles originate from a wide range of sources, including plastic bottles, clothing fibers, and personal care products. Once they enter the ocean, they don’t just disappear. They end up in our seafood, drinking water, and even the air we breathe.
Using environmental data from 2015 to 2020, researchers studied pollution levels across 152 U.S. coastal counties and compared them with CDC health statistics. Even after adjusting for income, age, access to care, and pollution, the link remained clear: more plastic meant more disease.
“There’s growing evidence that the garbage we toss into the environment is coming back to haunt us,” said study author Dr. Sarju Ganatra. Plastic isn’t just littering our beaches—it’s infiltrating our bodies.
While the study doesn’t prove direct causation, the connection is alarming. With over 94 million Americans living in coastal counties, this environmental crisis is quickly becoming a public health emergency.
From cognitive decline to chronic disease, the plastic problem is personal. The ocean may be beautiful, but it’s what’s swirling beneath the surface that could be shortening our lives.
