Microplastics Invading Human Blood Have a Major Impact on Our Health

A new study led by researchers from the University of Camerino in Italy has found that microplastics entering the human body accumulate in arteries and may increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Published recently in the New England Journal of Medicine, the study observed 257 patients with atherosclerotic plaques in the carotid arteries; these plaques restrict blood flow to the brain and raise stroke risk.

The new study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, observed 257 patients with atherosclerotic carotid plaques that restrict cerebral blood flow and raise stroke risk. Among these 257 patients, traces of polyethylene were detectable in the carotid plaques of about 58%, and traces of polyvinyl chloride were detectable in the plaques of another 12%; both compounds are common plastics.

The study also found that among patients with microplastics in their arterial plaques, 20% suffered a stroke, heart attack, or death during the study period. Among those with no detectable plastic in their plaques, the figure was 7.5%. The study shows that people with microplastics in arterial plaques face a higher risk of stroke or heart disease.

What, then, are microplastics, and how do they enter the body? Microplastics are plastic particles smaller than 5 mm in diameter. They have accumulated in the oceans, polar ice caps, and even mountaintops. They not only pollute ecosystems but can cross the digestive tract and lungs directly into the bloodstream, then travel through the blood to major organs such as the brain and heart, and can even cross the placenta into the bodies of unborn babies.

Bottled and barreled water also contain large amounts of microplastics. A previous study found that one liter of bottled water contains on average 240,000 tiny plastic fragments—100 times more than previously thought. The study suggests health problems linked to plastic pollution may be severely underestimated. Bottled and barreled water have become indispensable consumer goods for modern people. In addition, various foods packaged in plastic products also contain large amounts of microplastics, and marine animals carry high microplastic loads.

The toxicity of microplastics to the human body requires further research, but these preliminary findings are already enough to confirm that microplastics do considerable harm. Modern lifestyles are affecting everyone's health.