Once inhaled, microfibres end up in our lungs where they can cause chronic inflammation. This in turn may result in severe illnesses like cancer, heart disease, asthma, or diabetes. Inhaled particles can reach the liver, heart, kidneys, brain, and even the foetus!
Microplastic fibres are also found in our food and drinks. They enter our digestive system and cause problems like intestinal inflammation. There’s a clear relationship between high exposure to microplastic fibres and two types of irritable bowel disease (called Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis).