What are the adverse effects of microplastics in the human body?
- in vitro experiments with human cells and in vivo data generated with mice showed that microplastics elicit adverse health effects mainly by causing inflammation, oxidative stress [increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production], lipid metabolism disturbances, gut microbiota dysbiosis, and neurotoxicity.
Plastic accumulates in cells and is a harmful material. Furthermore, the hazardous chemical compounds present in plastic can alter the body's hormonal balance, impairing growth, reproduction, and cognitive function. Additionally, microplastics serve as entry points for viruses into the human body, which propagates illness.
Microplastics found in every human placenta tested in study
Scientists express concern over health impacts, with another study finding particles in arteries...
https://academic.oup.com/toxsci/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/toxsci/kfae021/7609801?redirectedFrom=fulltext&login=false
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/feb/27/microplastics-found-every-human-placenta-tested-study-health-impact
Thanks Ljubomir.
This reminds of estimation of parabens in tissue. initial studies found parabens in breast cancer tissue but also in mock extraction. Subsequent more rigorous efforts found that the ubiquitous nature required extraordinary control of sampling, testing etc. to get a true measure.
Wonder at the relevance to this report.
Microplastics linked to serious health risks
"A landmark study of more than 200 people undergoing surgery found that nearly 60% had microplastics in fatty plaques lining their arteries. Those who did were 4.5 times more likely to experience a heart attack, stroke or death in the 3 years after their surgery than those whose arteries were plastic-free. The study comes at a pivotal moment for a global treaty to eliminate plastic pollution, first proposed in 2022, and intended to be finalized by the end of 2024. “This will be the launching pad for further studies across the world to corroborate, extend and delve into the degree of the risk that micro- and nanoplastics pose,” says physician-scientist Robert Brook..."
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00650-3
Ljubomir
Please note caution of the study's author
"...Brook, other researchers and the authors themselves caution that this study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine on 6 March, does not show that the tiny pieces caused poor health. Other factors that the researchers did not study, such as socio-economic status, could be driving ill health rather than the plastics themselves, they say."
I'd also caution re. the "global treaty" posturing of UN and global politicians are playing at. Much like the Paris agreement - pompous resolution (that's done), endless negotiations, perhaps big commitments, western nations that are not the source of the problem will pursue measures that bring in tax revenue, big companies will chase silly initiatives and China, Far East and Africa will do nothing.
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