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8 months ago
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ARTICLE AD BOX
Microplastics invade almost every cavity in the human body, with them being detected in semen, breast milk and even brain tissue.
Microplastics enter our bodies through the consumption of plastic containers, some foods, tap water, and even the air we breathe. It has been linked to the development of cancer, heart disease and dementia, as well as fertility problems.
Scientists revealed that it was also found in almost every part of the world, from the deepest place on the planet, the Mariana Trench, to the summit of Mount Everest.
Microplastic particles have also been found in sugar , salt , honey, seafood, tap water, bottled water, and plastic-wrapped food.
Diana Cohen, CEO of the non-profit Plastic Pollution Coalition, said previous research has shown that, on average, people consume about 5 grams of plastic per week.
the brain
Plastics that infiltrate the brain can cause inflammation and interfere with nerve cell processes, according to a 2023 study.
"In the brain, plastic particles can increase the risk of inflammation, neurological disorders or even neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's," said researcher Lukas Keener, from MedUni Vienna.
Experts found that polystyrene particles, which are used in foam food packaging, appeared in the brain just two hours after eating them.
Semen
Beijing scientists discovered microplastics in human semen as well as testicles last year.
The majority of particles found in the testis were polystyrene, while polyethylene (PE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) were the dominant types in the semen.
Scientists said the decrease in sperm count may be due to exposure to microplastics.
the heart
A scientific team from China found small plastic particles in the heart for the first time in 2023, after collecting heart tissue and blood samples from 15 patients undergoing heart surgery.
Plastics in the blood can stick to the outer membrane of red blood cells and may affect their ability to transport oxygen.
Breast milk
In 2022, scientists made a startling discovery when they found microplastic particles in human breast milk for the first time.
A team from the Italian Marche Polytechnic University analyzed milk samples from 34 healthy mothers and found microscopic plastic particles in most of the samples.
The particles came from PVC, polyethylene and polypropylene, all plastics common in plastic bottles, synthetic leather, floor tiles and furniture covers.
Kidney, spleen and liver
A team from Arizona State University has found the first evidence of plastic particles spreading to the liver, spleen and kidneys.
"We detected plastics in every organ we examined," said lead researcher Rolf Halden.
Placenta
Microplastic particles were found in human placentas last month, after a team at the University of New Mexico tested the placentas of 62 women and found that each one contained tiny pieces of plastic less than 5 millimeters long.
Lungs
Researchers from the University of Hull and Hull York Medical School discovered microplastics in live human lungs for the first time in 2022.
The study found 39 microplastics in 11 out of 13 lung tissue samples tested.
English (US)