How many microplastics are you consuming?
Body Burden estimates your weekly microplastic exposure based on your lifestyle habits — built on peer-reviewed research, not guesswork.
Calculate Your Body Burden10 questions · 2 minutes · no account required
What is "body burden"?
Body burden is the scientific term used by toxicologists and the CDC to describe the total accumulation of environmental contaminants in the human body. It reflects lifetime exposure — not just what enters today, but what persists in tissues and organs.
Microplastics have been detected in human blood, lungs, liver, kidneys, and — most recently — in arterial plaques and the human brain. Researchers note that current ingestion estimates are likely a significant underestimate, as many exposure pathways remain unstudied.
The research is striking
Published figures from peer-reviewed studies
The estimated annual microplastic intake for the average American
Cox et al., Environmental Science & Technology, 2019
Released by a single plastic tea bag into your cup at brewing temperature
Hernandez et al., Environmental Science & Technology, 2019
Released from a plastic container microwaved for 3 minutes
Hussain et al., Environmental Science & Technology, 2023
Built on science, not guesswork
Every particle estimate in this calculator is derived from peer-reviewed studies published in journals including Environmental Science & Technology and Science of the Total Environment. Each answer cites its source and confidence level.
Know what's inside you
Your result is based on the same data used by the researchers who study this full-time.
Calculate Your Body Burden