Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Microplastics, Nanoplastics, and Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Manasi Agrawal, MD, MS, Director of Environmental Gastroenterology, Henry D. Janowitz Division of Gastroenterology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Moderator: Ellen Lautenberg, Advisory Board Chair, Institute for Exposomic Research
Key Takeaways from Dr. Agrawal’s Talk
IBD is rising globally—and the environment is a major driver.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasing across all ages and regions, especially in children, alongside industrialization and globalization in these regions. These patterns point to environmental factors—pollution, diet, lifestyle, and chemical exposures—as key contributors.
The exposome shapes gut health across the lifespan.
IBD risk reflects cumulative exposures over time, from pregnancy through adulthood. Early-life exposures (e.g., diet, antibiotics, pollutants) can alter the microbiome and immune system, creating vulnerability that later exposures can trigger into disease.
Microplastics and nanoplastics are ubiquitous—and potentially harmful.
These particles are found in food, water, air, and the human body. Smaller particles (nanoplastics) are especially concerning because they can cross biological barriers, accumulate in tissues, and carry toxic chemicals.
Microplastics may drive inflammation and disrupt the gut.
Emerging evidence shows microplastics can alter the gut microbiome, weaken the intestinal barrier, and activate immune responses—key pathways involved in IBD. Early human studies and animal models support links to inflammation and disease risk.
Not all exposures are equal—source and behavior matter.
Diet and daily habits influence exposure levels. Food preparation, packaging, and beverages are major contributors, and individual choices can lead to large differences in how much microplastic people ingest.
Plastics act as part of a broader mixture of harmful chemicals.
Microplastics carry or co-occur with substances like PFAS (“forever chemicals”), heavy metals, and endocrine disruptors, which together may amplify health risks, including intestinal inflammation.
Small, practical changes can reduce exposure.
Reducing ultra-processed foods, limiting plastic use (especially in food storage and heating), choosing reusable materials, improving ventilation, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle may help lower exposure and support gut health.
Better measurement and prevention strategies are needed.
Microplastics are difficult to measure, and research is still evolving. Future efforts aim to identify high-risk individuals, develop environmental risk scores, and inform public health and policy interventions to reduce harmful exposures.
Q&A
Do we know which pathway is most important in driving disease—microbiome disruption, barrier dysfunction, or immune activation?
There are data to support the role of each of these pathways in driving IBD risk.
Are there other infectious or inflammatory GI conditions associated with lower risk of IBD (similar to appendicitis)?
Childhood Epstein-Barr virus infection may be associated with lower risk of Crohn’s disease. H pylori infection and parasitic infestations are also implicated in lowering IBD risk, but the data are less clear.
Is there evidence that dietary patterns (e.g., high-fiber or plant-based diets) can mitigate the effects of microplastics?
Certain phytophenols, natural bioactive compounds, are implicated in lowering the harmful impact of plastics in mechanistic studies. Studies investigating the role of dietary components towards microplastics mitigation are ongoing.
What are the concerns about microplastics in seafood, and how can people make safer seafood choices?
Due to “biomagnification,” microplastics and other toxins in seafood are an important consideration. Understanding the source of seafood (farmed vs wild) and type of seafood can help individuals make informed choices.
Are vitamins or medications encased in capsules associated with increased microplastic exposure, and should they be avoided?
More research is needed to understand the relevance of inactive ingredients in medications on health outcomes.
Should clinicians begin counseling patients with IBD differently about environmental exposures?
Yes, I think integrating environmental medicine into clinical care is the next frontier in medical sciences.
How are scientists at Mount Sinai engaging with community leaders and legislators on policies to reduce plastic exposure?
Faculty regularly provide educational resources on a host of environmental health topics and present in public and community settings. Our HEALS Community Engagement team also works to translate research into accessible information and supports outreach to community leaders and policymakers.