When a fish gobbles up contaminated microbeads, or some plankton that have been noshing on contaminated microbeads, this doesn't just put the animal at risk—it also increases the odds that pollution-laden plastic will make its way to your dinner plate. Some of the pollutants that microbeads pick up have been linked to birth defects, cancer, and developmental problems in humans. Microbeads don't just contain pollutants; the plastic can also release BPA and other chemical additives.