Microplastics and Our Children: What Parents Need to Know

More parents are starting to see headlines about microplastics and nanoplastics posing a serious health threat to our kids. You may have even heard us talk about some of the ingredients in Supershield Boostie that specifically help the body deal with these hidden toxins. But we have also been getting a lot of messages from parents trying to better understand why they are such a concern. In this post, we outline what they are, what has changed, why this matters, and what to do. 

What Are Microplastics & Nanoplastics?

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles (less than five millimeters) formed as larger plastics break down, while nanoplastics are even smaller (less than one micrometer)—so tiny they can penetrate cells and cross biological barriers like the blood-brain barrier. The most common types include polyethylene (plastic bags, bottles), polypropylene (food containers, bottle caps), and PET (packaging, textiles). These particles are now everywhere—found in our water, food, air, and even inside human bodies.

Why Parents Need to Pay Attention: Microplastics Are Accumulating in Our Children's Bodies

Microplastics aren’t just an environmental problem—they’re building up inside our children’s bodies. A 2021 study found that babies have 10 to 20 times more microplastics in their stool than adults. Another study estimated that donated human brains contain about 10 grams of microplastics—about the weight of an entire crayon. Since 2016, there has been a 50% increase in microplastics accumulating in the brain.

Why This Matters: Microplastics Harm Children's Bodies

Science confirms that microplastics don’t just pass through the body—they interact with biological processes in ways that raise serious health concerns:

• Hormone Disruption – Microplastics contain endocrine disruptors like BPA and phthalates, which mimic or interfere with hormones. This can affect growth, metabolism, energy levels, mood, and even puberty timing.
• Brain & Cognitive Effects – Microplastics reduce blood flow to the brain and trigger immune responses. Studies in mice show this leads to anxiety, cognitive decline, and movement impairments—in children, this could mean difficulty focusing, increased irritability, and coordination issues.
• Weakened Immunity – Microplastics damage cell membranes, contribute to oxidative stress, and may increase long-term cancer risks. For kids, this means a higher likelihood of frequent colds, infections, and long-term immune dysfunction.
• Blood Vessel Blockage – A study found that microplastics absorbed into the bloodstream can block small blood vessels in the brain, which could increase the risk of headaches, dizziness, and fatigue in children .
• Inhalation Risks – Microplastics in household dust are easily inhaled—kids breathe more rapidly than adults, and mouth breathing increases exposure. This may contribute to respiratory issues, allergies, and asthma-like symptoms.

How Are Your Children Exposed to Microplastics?

Research shows that children are exposed daily—often in ways parents wouldn’t expect:

• The Air We Breathe – Microplastics are now airborne, even in remote regions like the Alps. Urban areas and schools have particularly high concentrations
• Food & Packaging – Found in both conventional and organic foods, microplastics come from processing, packaging, and storage—even organic frozen produce and school lunches aren’t immune. Heated food (canned goods, takeout, school meals) is especially problematic.
• Drinking Water – Bottled water contains up to 90,000 microplastic particles per year, while switching to tap reduces intake to 4,000 particles. Nanofiltration is needed to remove nanoplastics from tap water.
• Household Dust – Carpets, furniture, and synthetic clothing release microplastics. Babies and toddlers ingest far more because they crawl and put objects in their mouths.
• Clothing & Bedding – Polyester, fleece, and spandex shed microplastics, which can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin. Since kids breathe with their faces pressed into blankets and stuffed animals, inhaled particles can bypass the body’s filters and reach vital organs like the brain and heart.

How to Protect Your Children

Reducing plastic exposure at home is a great start—but because microplastics are in the air, water, and schools, total avoidance isn’t realistic. Instead, focus on helping kids eliminate them from their bodies:

• Sweating Helps – Studies show in terms of flushing out microplastics, sweat is far more effective than peeing (ScienceDirect, PubMed). For kids that can tolerate them,  regular saunas are ideal for this. A gentler method can be warm baths to help stimulate a gentle sweat.
• Probiotics Bind & Excrete Microplastics – Certain Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains have been proven to bind microplastics in the gut, preventing absorption and promoting excretion. This is one of the many reasons we included them in our Supershield Boostie.
• Liver-Supporting Herbs – Chlorella, dandelion, milk thistle, artichoke, and turmeric help remove microplastics by boosting bile flow, detoxifying the liver, and reducing inflammation—all included in Supershield Boostie.
• Dietary Fiber Traps Microplastics – Soluble and insoluble fiber create a protective matrix that prevents microplastic absorption and ensures safe elimination through stool. When Supershield and Superfood Boostiesare taken together, kids get 6 grams of fiber—about 35% of their daily requirement.

The Bottom Line

We can’t completely avoid microplastics, but we can help our kids flush them out. By supporting their gut, liver, and detox pathways, we give them the best chance to thrive in a world where plastic exposure is unavoidable. That’s exactly why we formulated Supershield Boostie—because every small step toward reducing their toxic load makes a difference.