In this Ready Living Podcast episode, microplastics researcher and science communicator Dana Zhaxylykova talks about the prevalence and dangers of microplastics in our everyday lives. She explains how they move through water, air, soil, and food systems, are embedded in products people might never suspect, and are now found virtually everywhere on Earth.

She bridges the gap between cutting-edge science and everyday life through her Instagram account, where she translates complex research into accessible insights that offer practical, realistic steps people can take to reduce plastic exposure in their own personal environments.

She also shares findings from her co-authored peer-reviewed research published in Marine Pollution Bulletin.

Dana is the co-founder of Microplastic Free, a free app that helps people identify microplastics in common products, discover safer alternatives, and advocate for systemic change through petitions and policy awareness.

Her work has been featured on the BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera, and PBS, and in Elle.

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