A new interdisciplinary research project at The University of Texas at Arlington is investigating how microplastics—tiny plastic particles found in food, water and everyday consumer products—may impact the health of aging adults, particularly in relation to muscle and brain function.
The study is led by Un-Jung Kim, assistant professor in UT Arlington's College of Science, with collaboration from School of Social Work Assistant Professor and co-investigator Kathy Siepker and the College of Nursing and Health Innovation's Bone-Muscle Research Center.
"Research doesn't happen in a vacuum," said Kirk Foster, dean of UTA's School of Social Work. "By collaborating across disciplines, we can take a more comprehensive approach to understanding issues that affect quality of life across populations."
The team's focus is on how micro- and nanoplastics may affect bone and muscle health in humans—a critical issue particularly for older adults, a population Dr. Siepker has worked closely with throughout her academic and clinical career. She is eager to study the various contributing factors that lead to different health outcomes.
Related: Harmful microplastics infiltrating drinking water
"I will lead a scoping review with the research team to explore how lifestyle factors like smoking, alcohol use and socioeconomic status may compound the long-term health effects of microplastic exposure," said Siepker, a licensed clinical social worker who provides counseling for older adults and their family caregivers.
"What excites me most is the potential for real-world impact. We're not just gathering data for its own sake. We want to improve lives—not only for today's older adults, but for future generations—by understanding how our choices and environments shape our health across the lifespan."
Although previous studies have shown that microplastics can accumulate in the organs and tissues of marine mammals, their effects on human biology remain largely unknown.
"A lot of the existing research focused on animals. That's a gap this study hopes to help close," Siepker said. "We want to look beyond just age or gender. We're asking: How do people live their lives? What are their habits, their environments? How might that shape the way microplastics affect their health?"
Related: UTA begins groundbreaking study on how we age
Funded by UTA's Interdisciplinary Research Program, the study is expected to run for one year. The goal is to ultimately expand the research into exploring additional outcomes such as brain health.
— Written by Thomas Johns, School of Social Work
About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
Celebrating its 130th anniversary in 2025, The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of the thriving Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With a student body of over 41,000, UTA is the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System, offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 university, UTA stands among the nation's top 5% of institutions for research activity. UTA and its 280,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state. The University has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success, considered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North Texas and beyond.
