Swept Under the Rug

Plastic is fantastic! It can be super tough, super flexible, SUPER durable – all characteristics that have made it indispensable to modern life. But over time, plastics don’t disappear. They break down into tiny fragments called microplastics, and these fragments get everywhere. They’ve been found in bottled water, in Himalayan rock salt, even inside hard-boiled eggs. More disturbingly still, research from the past few years suggests that they don’t just pass through us, but can persist in our bodies (and possibly even our brains).

In this second episode of Toxic!, materials scientist Mark Miodownik investigates how we ingest and inhale microplastics in their thousands every day. He discovers the little practical changes we can all make to reduce our exposure and encounters the cutting-edge technology that may soon allow scientists to “see” microplastics throughout our bodies.

Locking into the living room – but sadly with no time to put their feet up – Mark and producer Mel reveal the surprising hiding places there for microplastics, PFAS and another class of toxin not usually associated with our homes: parasiticides. The pair flea-treat Mel’s cat and uncover the frightening potential human health and environmental impacts of us using these chemicals en masse to keep our beloved pets parasite-free.

Series Producer: Mel Brown
Researcher: Alex Rodway
A BBC Studios Production