Microplastics are tiny plastic particles measuring less than 5 millimeters in length, often invisible to the naked eye. Due to their small size, they can easily accumulate in humans, potentially impacting human health when ingested or inhaled.

The science on microplastics is still emerging, and as we work to identify the biggest contributors, measurement will be crucial for understanding and tracking progress.

There is emerging evidence about strategies to reduce microplastics, and we’re committed to sharing the latest insights as they become available. Bryan is currently testing Total Plasma Exchange (TPE) as a potential method to lower microplastics levels and will share his results soon. 

In the meantime, here are some simple, evidence-informed actions you can take today to minimize exposure.

1. Avoid plastic water bottles: Avoid drinking water from plastic bottles.
2. Water filtration: Install a reverse osmosis water filter in your home with remineralization to remove microplastics and improve water quality. 
3. Storage: Use non-plastic food storage containers like glass, stainless steel, or ceramic.
4. Takeaway: Bring your own reusable stainless steel mug for takeaway beverages.
5. Canned soup: Avoid canned soups. A randomized cross-over controlled trial found that BPA concentration in urine went up by 20 folds to 20.8ug/L after a week of consuming canned soup as opposed to 1.1ug/mL for fresh soup. 
6. Cutting boards: Use wooden cutting boards to avoid microplastic shedding.
7. Safety: Avoid heating food in plastic containers to prevent chemical leaching.
8. Cookware: Use cast iron or stainless steel cookware instead of non-stick pans.
9. Utensils: Use wooden, metal, or silicone cooking tools instead of plastic.
10. Clothing: Choose natural fiber clothing and home textiles like cotton, bamboo, linen, hemp, wool, or silk to avoid microfibers.
11. Detergents: Use plastic-free laundry and dishwashing detergents to prevent microplastic contamination.
12. Cleaning: Vacuum with a HEPA filter to trap microplastics in dust; sealed windows and air purifiers can help in polluted areas.
13. Receipts: Avoid handling thermal paper receipts; opt for digital receipts when possible.

These steps are a great starting point. As research evolves, we’ll keep you updated on new methods and protocols to tackle microplastics more effectively. Remember, progress is measured one step at a time.

Common sources of microplastics include drinking water, tap water, bottled water, and plastic materials and products such as packaging. These particles often originate from plastic pollution in aquatic environments like freshwater, estuaries, marine habitats, and sediments. Wastewater and surface waters also contribute to microplastic pollution, spreading particles throughout ecosystems. Microplastics can also be ingested in the air we breathe. Ingesting microplastics through these sources poses a risk to both human health and ecosystems.

Yes, microplastics and nanoplastics are considered harmful. Ingestion and exposure to microplastics can disrupt hormones, cause inflammation, and lead to chronic health problems. Microplastic particles and their associated chemicals, such as BPA, PFAS, and phthalates, have been linked to a range of adverse health effects, including endocrine disruption, metabolic disturbances, increased risks of cancer, and immune responses. Long-term exposure is linked to increased risks of reproductive issues, metabolic syndrome, and other chronic health conditions. Reducing levels of these contaminants in your body can be critical for minimizing health risks.

Our microplastics testing process is precise and rigorous. The Blueprint test analyzes blood plasma to quantify the concentration of various microplastic particles and plastic-associated chemicals present. 

Our lab partner isolates and measures microplastic particles and nanoplastics, typically measured in nanometers, to determine your body's specific exposure levels.

This is the first microplastics test to make it to market because common blood analysis methods like Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) use equipment and materials coated in plastics during storage and processing. Our lab partner developed a plastic-free Fluorescent Microscopy (FM) methodology using only glass, metal, or paper to avoid contamination.

Bryan Johnson is the most biologically measured person in history and has the best comprehensive biomarkers of anyone in the world. After selling his first company Braintree Venmo to PayPal for $800M, Bryan embarked on a journey asking the question if we will be the first generation to not die. With a team of 30 medical professionals, Bryan and team built the world’s best longevity protocol, which they freely share with the world.

Blueprint has partnered with a third party laboratory with facilities in both Michigan and the Netherlands to develop the world’s first microplastics test. The lab is specially built to process the microplastic samples, itself being plastic free. It’s the only micro-plastics free lab in the world that we are aware of.

The lab is independently subject to privacy and security obligations. Blood samples are destroyed by the lab 30 days after processing. The benchmarking data we share with users is aggregated and doesn’t identify any individuals. Data is encrypted in transit and at rest, and access is securely controlled.