Microplastics are invading almost every corner of the human body. Scientists have discovered these tiny particles in semen, breast milk, and even brain tissue.
Although researchers have long been aware of microplastics in the environment, it is only recently that they have developed techniques to detect them in our organs, tissues, and blood.
Microplastics Found Everywhere, Potentially Causing Cancer and Memory Loss
Microplastics are less than 5 mm in length and enter the human body through plastic packaging, certain foods, tap water, and even air. Once inside, these particles can enter the bloodstream and cause unpredictable harm such as cancer, heart disease, memory loss, and reproductive issues.
Microplastics are less than 5 mm in length and enter the human body through plastic packaging, certain foods, tap water, and even air – (Photo: Shutterstock).
The prevalence of microplastics is so significant that there are numerous warnings and studies about their health impacts and extent of invasion today. Microplastics have been found in almost every corner of the globe, from the deepest parts of the planet like the Mariana Trench to the peak of Mount Everest.
Countless studies have also detected microplastics in food and household items such as sugar, salt, honey, seafood, tap water, bottled water, and plastic-wrapped food products.
Dianna Cohen, the executive director of the nonprofit Plastic Pollution Coalition, stated that previous research has shown that on average, individuals consume about 5 grams of plastic each week, equivalent to a credit card.
Once ingested, these tiny particles can migrate to vital organs such as the kidneys and liver, causing cellular-level side effects.
A study recently published by scientists from the University of Campania (Italy) found that plastic was present in over 50% of plaque from blocked arteries, increasing the risk of stroke.
Numerous Studies Have Warned About Microplastics
In 2023, several studies highlighted the prevalence of microplastics in the human body. Scientists at Vassar College (New York, USA) collaborated with a group from Austria to investigate whether microplastics could cross the blood-brain barrier in mice.
The results indicated that once plastics reach the brain, they can cause inflammation and disrupt neuronal functioning. Lukas Kenner, a researcher from MedUni Vienna, noted that in the brain, plastic particles increase the risk of inflammation, neurological disorders, or even neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s.
Scientists have discovered these tiny particles in semen, breast milk, and even brain tissue – (Photo: Dieline).
The research team found that polystyrene particles, used in food packaging, appeared in the brain just two hours after consuming food. Another study conducted the same year analyzed 15 brain tissue samples and discovered 6 pieces of plastic from two patients with brain tumors.
Similarly, scientists from Beijing’s Third Hospital found microplastics in human semen. The research team collected 30 semen samples and 6 testicular samples from patients, finding 11 semen samples and 4 testicular samples containing very small particles.
The majority of the particles in the testicles were polystyrene (68%), while polyethylene (PE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) were found in the semen.
Microplastics were also discovered in the heart for the first time last year by a research team from Anzhen Hospital in Beijing. They collected heart tissue and blood samples from 15 patients undergoing heart surgery. The results showed that all of these samples contained microplastics.
In the blood, plastics can adhere to the outer membrane of red blood cells and affect oxygen transport. Among the 5 types of heart tissue, scientists identified up to 9 different types of plastic, including micro particles of poly(methyl methacrylate), polyethylene terephthalate, used in clothing and food containers, and PVC.
While the number of plastic pieces found varied among patients, the research team collected anywhere from dozens to thousands of pieces.
In 2022, scientists made an astounding discovery when they found microplastics in breast milk for the first time. The research team at Marche Polytechnic University in Italy analyzed samples from 34 healthy mothers and found microplastics in 3 out of 4 samples. Each milk sample containing plastic had between one and five micro particles.
These particles came from PVC, polyethylene, and polypropylene. All of these are common types of plastics found in materials ranging from plastic bottles and packaging to synthetic leather, floor tiles, and furniture coverings.
The Initial Suspicions about Microplastics Since 2020, researchers began to investigate whether microplastics could be found in the human body after these particles were discovered globally. A research team at Arizona State University found the first evidence when they analyzed 47 tissue samples, revealing many particles accumulating in the liver, spleen, and kidneys. Microplastics were even found in human placentas. |
