Fact Checking Claims About Masks and Microplastics in Lung Tissue

An article from The Defender suggests that masks may be linked to microplastics found in lung tissue. The headline of the article reads: “Inhaled Microplastics Found in Lung Tissue—Are Face Masks Contributing to the Problem?”

The Defender is a news website of the Children’s Health Defense, a non-profit that describes itself as seeking “to end childhood health epidemics by working aggressively to eliminate harmful exposures, hold those responsible accountable, and to establish safeguards to prevent future harm.” 

The Children’s Health Defense and its founder, Robert Kennedy Jr., have a history of promoting vaccine misinformation, such as the false claims that vaccines, as well as environmental toxins and pesticides, are linked to an increase in childhood chronic conditions such autism, asthma, and, diabetes. 

Kennedy is a known anti-vaccine activist. As we have reported before, in December 2020, Kennedy’s niece, Dr. Kerry Kennedy Meltzer wrote an op-ed for the New York Times titled: “Vaccines Are Safe, No Matter What Robert Kennedy Jr. Says.” Meltzer described her uncle as “a noted anti-vaccination activist,” and said “when it comes to vaccines, he is wrong.” Furthermore, as the BBC reported, in February 2021 Instagram banned Kennedy from the platform for sharing COVID-19 misinformation.