In a startling discovery, scientists have found microplastics, and even smaller nanoplastics, lurking within the arteries of humans, raising concerns about potential health risks associated with plastic pollution. The revelation comes from a study conducted by researchers at the University of Campania, who examined over 200 individuals undergoing surgeries to clear blockages in the neck’s major artery.
Published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the study found that nearly 60 percent of the patients had microplastics or nanoplastics present in their arterial tissues. What’s more concerning is that patients with plastic particles in their arteries were 4.5 times more likely to experience adverse cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks, strokes, or death, within approximately 34 months post-surgery compared to those without plastic contamination.
Lead author of the study, Raffaele Marfella, emphasized the significance of the findings, stating, “To date, our study is the first that associated the plastic contamination with human diseases.” While acknowledging the need for further research to validate these findings on larger populations, Marfella stressed that the study underscores the alarming presence of plastics and their potential association with cardiovascular events in individuals affected by atherosclerosis.
Dr. Philip Landrigan, a paediatrician and professor of biology at Boston College, echoed the gravity of the discovery, highlighting that the study provides evidence linking tiny plastics to cardiovascular disease outcomes in humans. He emphasized that the presence of microplastics and nanoplastics in arterial plaque raises urgent questions about their impact on human health.
Microplastics, defined as plastic particles less than 5 millimetres in size, pose a significant threat to the environment and human health. They have infiltrated oceans, soil, and even the air we breathe. Inside the human body, these minuscule particles can infiltrate cells and tissues of major organs, potentially disrupting cellular processes and depositing harmful chemicals such as bisphenols, phthalates, flame retardants, and heavy metals.
The study’s findings underscore the urgent need to address plastic pollution and its far-reaching consequences on human health and the environment. As microplastics continue to pervade various ecosystems, concerted efforts are needed to mitigate their impact and safeguard public health from this pervasive environmental threat.
Read Now:Study Suggests 10,000 Daily Steps Linked to Better Heart Health
