The plastics problem

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

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