From: allin
Recent studies indicate a significant and concerning impact of microplastics and nanoplastics on human health, with findings suggesting a correlation between plastic presence in the body and adverse health outcomes like heart attack, stroke, and death [01:26:55].
Microplastics Detected in Human Arterial Plaque
A team of scientists in Italy collected samples from patients undergoing carotid artery plaque removal, a common cardiac procedure [01:25:34]. A total of 304 patients agreed to have their removed plaque analyzed [01:25:53].
Key Findings of the Italian Study:
- The plaque was studied using measurement techniques like electron microscopy and mass spectrometry to detect plastic content [01:26:01].
- Microplastics and nanoplastics, defined as less than 5mm in size, were found in the plaque [01:26:21].
- The mean level of plastic found was 21 micrograms per milligram of plaque, equating to roughly 1 part plastic for every 50 parts plaque [01:26:27]. This indicates that plastics are accumulating in the human body [01:26:37].
- A 34-month follow-up revealed that patients with plastic in their blood had a 4.5 times higher likelihood of experiencing a heart attack, stroke, or death from any cause [01:26:48].
- This study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine [01:27:10].
The findings suggest a cumulative problem where microplastics and nanoplastics are accumulating, likely leading to significant adverse health outcomes [01:27:14]. One theory from the study is that nanoplastics and microplastics may act as “scaffolding” for plaque, potentially accelerating its growth [01:29:06].
How Plastics May Cause Health Effects
A 2022 paper by a team in Germany and Norway investigated the mechanisms by which plastics cause adverse health effects in the body [01:27:23]. They found that tiny plastic fragments bind to dendritic cells and monocytes, which are key cells in the immune system [01:27:43]. When these cells are bound by plastic, they release cytokines, which are pro-inflammatory signals [01:27:50]. This causes the immune system to become overactive, increasing inflammation, which can cascade into various adverse health events [01:27:58].
Sources of Microplastics
The plastics found in these studies are primarily:
- PET (Polyethylene terephthalate): Used in plastic bottles for water and other drinks [01:28:17].
- PVC (Polyvinyl chloride): Commonly used in plastic plumbing and piping [01:28:23].
Tiny bits of these plastic materials can break off when exposed to sunlight or other factors, ending up in water and food supplies, and then being consumed [01:28:30]. They slowly accumulate in bodies, potentially driving inflammatory responses and adverse health outcomes [01:28:37].
Personal Measures and Broader Challenges
Given these findings, some individuals have opted to avoid plastic bottles, switching to glass containers for water [01:25:13]. It is recommended to use glass or stainless steel for drinking containers [01:30:10].
However, a broader response to plastic use in the supply chain presents significant challenges due to the ubiquity and affordability enabled by plastics [01:30:50].