
The plastics problem
From Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode by EWG
February 24, 2026 · 33 min · Episode 54
About this episode
Ken Cook discusses the health impacts of micro and nanoplastics with expert Matthew Campen.
We’ve all seen the headlines about micro and nanoplastics. It’s clear that the public is uneasy with the ubiquity of plastic particles in our food, soil, and water. The plastics and petrochemical industry claims that concerns are overblown. A growing group of scientists and researchers disagrees. Multiple interdisciplinary studies are beginning to discover the impacts micro and nanoplastics may have on cardiovascular and brain health. Ken is joined by Matthew Campen, PhD, MSPH, the Director of the New Mexico Center for Metals in Biology and Medicine at the University of New Mexico, to discuss his findings and to help unravel what the science says.
People in this episode
Host: Ken Cook
Guest: Matthew Campen
Topics covered
- microplastics
- nanoplastics
- health impacts
- environmental science
- cardiovascular health
- brain health
Keywords
- microplastics
- nanoplastics
- health
- environment
- cardiovascular
- brain health
- science
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: University of New Mexico, New Mexico Center for Metals in Biology and Medicine
More episodes of Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode
- How big oil hooked the world on plastic · June 2, 2026 · 50 min
- The vaccine lawyer suing RFK Jr. · May 19, 2026 · 38 min
- Pesticide protections in the crosshairs · May 5, 2026 · 1h 23m
- Doctor, doctor: How the Trump administration is making America sicker · April 21, 2026 · 40 min
- Rina Shah: Principles over power · April 7, 2026 · 48 min
- Democrats were MAHA before MAHA — Rep. Chellie Pingree unpacks the contradictions · March 24, 2026 · 39 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode podcast page.