Recent studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine point at the possible health threats of sub-micron sized particles, including nanoplastics and microplastics, not only as a risk factor for cardiac diseases but also as a causal factor.
Plastic is now a key feature of the basic necessities we use daily, and this fact is coupled with the scientific community’s understanding of the harmful effects of plastic. In a recent study there has been revealed yet a more terrible aspect through which plastic parts are proved to be linked to heart ailments such as nanoplastics and microplastics.
Being in the light of the current investigation, plastic never fully recycles and all fragments of that are being broken down into micro-particles, as even into nanoparticles. Addressing the limitations especially the lack of data showing any reduction in mortality, Dr. Steve Nissen, cardiovascular expert, at the Cleveland Clinic made the point that the findings can be taken positively. Radio host highlighted an important point that, this research produces encouraging results but, it needs to be followed by more studies to prove definitively the relationship between microplastics and atherosclerosis.
The research on 257 participants with blocked vessels in their necks, who had a consequent surgery, found out that there these nanotoxins were present in a form of nanoparticles, conversely, they were mostly to be found in an invisible particle form. Of all the participants, 150 presented nanoplastics in their body, whereas, in the other group, 107 participants did not do so.
In the course of three years, we could see that almost each second person with these tiny plastics on blood vessels had some heart event like heart attack or stroke while the rate of such events in people free from those tiny plastics was at the level of eight percent. The Dr. Raffaele Marfella, the leader of the study from the University of Campania in Italy, highlighted the fact that we need more attention and political involvement on the issues. It is because of the impact the genetic engineering might have on the environment, and on our own health as individual
Also the study generated another finding: People exposed to traces of plastic particles in their bodies demonstrated higher risks of getting the heart disease, diabetes and high cholesterol. These plastic traces reside in the human tissue. Gender and smoking habits of men and women were also found to be critical elements of analysis this study.
Dr. Philip Landrigan of Boston College replied that in the light of these findings it is of, particular, importance to carry out further researches to confirm or negate the presented cause-effect relationship, yet the study itself does not serve as a fully valid evidence in this regard.
On another hand, other research has also suggested that the microplastics and nanoplastic are detectable in different body organs and fluids such as lungs, liver, placenta, blood and breast milk. These facts remain a testament to the gravity of confronting the exhaustive presence of plastic waste and its consequences for human health.