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Calculator Methodology

Current version: v1.0

How the score is calculated

Your exposure score is calculated using a weighted sum model:

score = 35 (baseline) + sum of matched factor weights, clamped to 1–100

The baseline of 35 represents a mid-to-low estimated exposure for a person with no particularly high-risk habits in the modern world — reflecting the fact that microplastics are now broadly present in food, water, and air globally.

Each question maps your answer to a weight — a positive value increases your score (higher exposure) and a negative value decreases it (protective factor). Weights are additive: your final score is the sum of all matched weights plus the baseline.

Note: factor weights are derived from published microplastic research literature and are intended as relative estimates, not precise measurements. This calculator produces an indicative exposure profile, not a medical or clinical assessment.

Evidence levels

Strong

Multiple published studies consistently identify this factor as a significant exposure route. Effect direction and relative magnitude are well-established.

Moderate

This factor is supported by published research but evidence is less consistent or based on fewer studies. The direction of the effect is likely correct; magnitude is less certain.

Emerging

Early-stage or limited research suggests this relationship exists. The weight applied is a cautious estimate and may be updated as evidence accumulates.

Factor weights

Only answer values with a non-zero weight are listed. Answers not shown carry a weight of 0 (no effect on your score).

demographics What is your age group?

Answer Weight Evidence Basis
61_plus +4.0 moderate Older adults have had longer cumulative lifetime exposure to microplastics, and some studies suggest changes in clearance efficiency with age. Higher tissue concentrations have been reported in older cohorts in some sampling studies.

demographics What is your biological sex?

Answer Weight Evidence Basis
female +3.0 moderate Some published studies report sex-based differences in microplastic tissue distribution, potentially reflecting metabolic, hormonal, or body composition differences. Research in this area is ongoing.

diet How often do you drink from plastic water bottles?

Answer Weight Evidence Basis
daily +18.0 strong Research consistently identifies plastic water bottles as a significant source of microplastic ingestion, with published studies finding measurable particle counts in bottled water samples. Daily consumption is associated with the highest ingestion from this route. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
weekly +10.0 strong Regular bottled water consumption has been identified as a documented source of microplastic ingestion in multiple published studies, with frequency correlating to estimated dose. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
monthly +4.0 strong Even occasional bottled water consumption is associated with some microplastic ingestion from PET packaging, based on particle detection studies. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

diet How often do you eat seafood?

Answer Weight Evidence Basis
daily +12.0 strong Daily seafood consumption is considered a leading dietary exposure route in published research. Marine organisms accumulate microplastics through the food chain, and particles have been detected in tissue samples of commonly consumed species. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
weekly +7.0 strong Weekly seafood consumption is associated with meaningful microplastic ingestion in dietary exposure models, based on detection of particles in fish and shellfish tissue and gastrointestinal tracts. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

diet How often do you eat canned food?

Answer Weight Evidence Basis
daily +7.0 moderate Canned food is considered a potential source of microplastic and chemical exposure through container lining contact. Studies have detected trace amounts of packaging-derived compounds in canned food products. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

diet How often do you eat from takeaway plastic containers?

Answer Weight Evidence Basis
daily +8.0 moderate Frequent use of single-use plastic food containers is associated with increased microplastic ingestion through direct food contact, particularly when food is warm or acidic. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

diet Do you microwave food in plastic containers?

Answer Weight Evidence Basis
yes +9.0 strong Research suggests that heating food in plastic containers accelerates the release of microplastics and associated chemicals into food. Studies have detected elevated particle counts in food heated in plastic compared to glass or ceramic containers. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

diet Do you store food in plastic containers (e.g. in the fridge)?

Answer Weight Evidence Basis
yes +5.0 moderate Research suggests that storing food in plastic containers may allow some microplastic migration into food over time, with the effect more pronounced for fatty or acidic foods. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

geography Which country do you live in?

Answer Weight Evidence Basis
VN +8.0 moderate Environmental sampling studies have reported elevated microplastic contamination in Vietnamese water sources and seafood, potentially contributing to higher dietary exposure. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
PH +8.0 moderate The Philippines has been identified in several global studies as having high coastal plastic load, with associated microplastic detection in seafood and water samples. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
IN +8.0 moderate Freshwater and coastal monitoring studies have documented elevated microplastic contamination in parts of India, which may contribute to higher dietary and inhalation exposure for some populations. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
CN +8.0 moderate Published environmental monitoring data suggest elevated microplastic concentrations in water and air in heavily industrialised regions of China compared to global averages. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
ID +8.0 moderate Indonesia ranks among the highest globally for measured marine plastic load in some studies, which may elevate microplastic concentrations in locally sourced seafood and coastal water. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

geography How would you describe your setting?

Answer Weight Evidence Basis
urban +5.0 moderate Urban environments consistently show higher airborne microplastic concentrations in sampling studies, attributed to traffic tire wear, road dust, and density of industrial and commercial activity. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

home What is the predominant flooring in your home?

Answer Weight Evidence Basis
synthetic_carpet +8.0 moderate Synthetic carpets are considered a source of indoor microplastic fibre accumulation. Studies have detected elevated microplastic concentrations in indoor dust from carpeted spaces, with inhalation and incidental ingestion as potential exposure routes. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
hardwood_tile -3.0 moderate Hard flooring is associated with lower synthetic fibre accumulation in indoor dust compared to carpeted homes, based on comparative indoor dust sampling studies. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

home Do you use an air purifier at home?

Answer Weight Evidence Basis
yes -6.0 moderate HEPA-type air purifiers are designed to capture fine airborne particles including microplastic fibres. Research suggests air filtration can meaningfully reduce indoor airborne particle concentrations. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

home How would you describe your bedding, curtains, and upholstery?

Answer Weight Evidence Basis
mostly_synthetic +6.0 emerging Synthetic bedding, curtains, and upholstery have been identified as potential sources of microfibre shedding into indoor environments. The contribution to personal exposure through inhalation and skin contact is an active area of research. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

home Do you filter your tap water before drinking?

Answer Weight Evidence Basis
yes -4.0 moderate Filtering tap water through fine-particle or reverse osmosis filters has been shown to remove a significant proportion of microplastic particles, reducing ingestion through this route. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

lifestyle What best describes your occupation?

Answer Weight Evidence Basis
industrial +12.0 strong Industrial and manufacturing workers in sectors such as plastics production, textile manufacturing, and recycling have the highest documented occupational microplastic exposure in published occupational health literature. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
outdoor +5.0 moderate Outdoor workers in urban environments may face elevated exposure to airborne microplastics from traffic-related tire wear particles and atmospheric deposition, based on urban air quality sampling data. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

lifestyle How would you describe your typical exercise?

Answer Weight Evidence Basis
vigorous +4.0 emerging Vigorous exercise substantially increases breathing rate and depth, potentially increasing inhalation of airborne microplastic fibres and particles. The magnitude of this effect is an emerging area of research. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

lifestyle How often do you use a sauna?

Answer Weight Evidence Basis
daily -10.0 emerging Sweating through regular sauna use is associated in some research with the elimination of lipophilic contaminants. Whether this extends meaningfully to microplastic-associated chemicals is an active area of investigation, with preliminary findings suggesting a potential protective association.
weekly -6.0 emerging Weekly sauna use may support contaminant elimination via sweating, based on emerging research into sweat as an excretion pathway. Evidence remains preliminary.

lifestyle How often do you wear synthetic (polyester, nylon, fleece) clothing?

Answer Weight Evidence Basis
always +7.0 moderate Constant wear of synthetic textiles has been associated with continuous skin contact exposure to shed microfibres and potential inhalation of fibres released during movement, based on fibre shedding studies. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
often +4.0 moderate Frequent synthetic clothing use contributes measurable microfibre exposure in laboratory shedding studies, with fleece garments showing particularly high shedding rates. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

Revision history

v1.0 Mar 20, 2026 Initial release. 19 questions, 29 factors across five categories.
This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Weights reflect published research as of the version date and will be updated as the literature evolves. Questions? support@winnowlabs.com