Microplastics, tiny plastic particles from everyday items like synthetic clothes and plastic bottles, are infiltrating our bodies and could be seriously harming our health. These particles can trigger heart attacks, strokes, and other serious conditions by carrying toxins and damaging organs. They come from various sources, including degraded plastics and industrial waste, and are now found in surprising places like our arteries and organs. With microplastics affecting everything from our gut health to our immune systems, experts are urging people to cut down on plastic use and adopt safer alternatives to protect themselves from these hidden dangers.

The public’s awareness of the problem of microplastic pollution in the environment is growing. According to research, microplastics can raise one’s risk of heart attacks, strokes, and even death if they reach the body. What types of routine actions put one in danger of consuming microplastics?

On New Tang Dynasty TV’s “Health 1+1” program, Lin Xiaoxu, a virology expert from the United States with a doctorate in microbiology, described microplastics and nanoplastics and provided advice on minimizing exposure to them reports JoJo Novaes and Ben Lam from The Epoch Times.

Plastic is a vital commodity in industrial manufacturing and is used in many aspects of daily life. Products made of plastic decompose into microplastics or even smaller nanoplastics. While nanoplastics have dimensions less than one micron (1,000 nanometers), microplastics are plastic fragments smaller than five millimeters.

Origins of Microplastics

According to Mr. Lin, common plastic products emit microplastics. Fragments of synthetic fibers fall from clothing, and tires that are worn out release dust that contains plastic. When washed, even plastic water bottles that appear smooth might release microplastics.

In nature, plastics are constantly broken down into tiny particles by sunlight and ultraviolet radiation. Microplastic contamination is caused by a variety of items, including textiles, fishing nets, bottles, bags, hygiene goods, factory emissions, and tire dust. Some of these particles are consumed by humans and other animals, while others build up and decompose in soils and oceans. Microplastics are highly dangerous for marine life, especially for species that live close to the coast, such as shrimp, small fish, and shellfish.

Mr. Lin underlined that wastewater discharge and industrial waste are the primary sources of microplastics and that improper treatment of these materials can have a major negative impact on the ecosystem.

Thus, to remove over 90% of microplastics, wastewater from factories must go through several procedures before being released, including screening, sand removal, sedimentation, biological reactions, chlorination, ultraviolet treatment, membrane technology, etc. Complete eradication is not possible, though. Microplastics may take tens of thousands or even millions of years to completely decompose in natural settings.

Dangers of Microplastics to Health

While nanoplastics can be breathed, microplastics usually enter the body through the consumption of food and beverages. Microplastics can introduce bacteria, viruses, and other environmental microorganisms into the body in addition to immediately irritating mucosal membranes.

People typically advise washing anything hazardous out of your system as soon as possible, however, microplastics are minuscule particles that stick to the stomach’s surface. Washing them out won’t always get rid of them; the body has to get rid of them gradually, which puts more strain on the system, Mr. Lin said.

Studies have shown that microplastics become more adsorbent and form complexes with different environmental contaminants on their surfaces, increasing their toxicity to organisms after being exposed to ultraviolet radiation and microbial breakdown in the natural environment.

When microplastics enter the body, they display a variety of toxicities as carriers of infections and heavy metals. The majority of microplastics that are consumed through food are eliminated through feces, but some can linger in the intestines for days and cause inflammation, intestinal damage, and alteration of the gut microbiota. Microplastics can harm organs and systems throughout the body by slowly entering the bloodstream and being absorbed by intestinal cells. Particularly impacted are the immune, reproductive, and neurological systems as well as organs including the liver and kidneys. Furthermore, breathing in too many microplastics can harm and even kill respiratory tissue.

A study that was published in the New England Journal of Medicine in March discovered that microplastics were present in the majority of carotid artery plaques. Two hundred and fifty-seven asymptomatic patients with carotid stenosis were included in the study. After the carotid artery plaques were removed from the arteries, the researchers found polyethylene in 150 patients (58.4%) and polyvinyl chloride in 31 patients (12.1%).

There were obvious foreign particles, some with sharp edges and chlorine content, inside the macrophages in the plaques. According to the study, patients who had microplastics found in their bodies were at a risk of heart attacks, strokes, or even death which was more than 4.5 times higher than that of people who did not.

US Congressional Worries About Microplastics

A hearing on microplastics in water was held by the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works on February 27.

The hearing was addressed by Susanne Brander, an associate professor at Oregon State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences who has spent almost ten years studying microplastics and plastic pollution. She noted that microplastic particles are present in the human heart, placenta, and lung tissues and that they move through the bloodstream. Microplastics cause harm to both marine and terrestrial creatures, with mammals being particularly badly affected. They slow down growth, change behavior patterns, and cause reproductive abnormalities.

One of the world’s “most expensive” issues and one of humanity’s biggest environmental difficulties, according to her, is plastic waste. The fishing, tourist, and shipping sectors suffer $13 billion in annual economic losses as a result. Up to $249 billion was projected to be spent on medical expenses in the US in 2018 due to chemicals linked to plastic.

Ways to Prevent Microplastic Consumption

How can we lessen the amount of microplastics we consume daily? The following preventative actions were recommended by Mr. Lin:

• Filter water: Use a high-quality water filter that can remove microplastics. Opt for filters with fine pore sizes or those specifically designed for microplastic filtration.
• Avoid plastic containers: Choose glass or stainless steel water bottles instead of plastic ones. Plastic bottles can release microplastics, especially when heated or exposed to sunlight. Store food in glass containers instead of plastic ones, as glass doesn’t degrade into microplastics and is safer for food storage.
• Be cautious with food packaging: Select fresh, unwrapped produce over prepackaged items. When purchasing packaged goods, choose those in glass or cardboard rather than plastic.
• Minimize processed food consumption: Processed foods are often packaged in plastic and can contain higher levels of microplastics. Cooking at home with fresh ingredients reduces exposure.
• Avoid single-use plastics: Reduce the use of single-use plastics like cutlery, straws, and bags. These items contribute to pollution and eventually degrade into microplastics.
• Use natural fabrics: Synthetic fibers from clothing can shed microplastics during washing. Opt for natural fabrics such as cotton, wool, and silk, and use a laundry bag designed to capture microfibers.
• Wash hands frequently: Wash your hands often, especially after using gloves, as plastic residues inside gloves can transfer to your hands.
• Scrutinize cosmetics: Avoid cosmetics containing microplastics, such as microbeads in scrub creams and glitter in makeup products. Choose natural alternatives instead.

Recently, GreatGameIndia reported that, according to a study published in Toxicological Sciences by researchers from the University of New Mexico, microplastics were found in human testicles.