Title: Microplastics Discovered in Human Hearts, Raising Health Concerns
By Patrick Reilly | August 12, 2023 | 12:15am
Microplastics, which are tiny plastic particles measuring less than 5 millimeters in width, have been found in the human heart for the first time, according to a study conducted by scientists from Beijing Anzhen Hospital in China. The discovery has raised concerns about the potential health risks associated with these ubiquitous particles.
The research team analyzed the heart tissue of 15 patients who underwent cardiovascular surgery and found microplastics in all of the samples. Additionally, the team detected various types of plastic particles in the blood samples taken from half of the participants. The microscopic size of these particles enables them to enter the human body through the mouth, nose, and other body cavities.
Doctors Kun Hua, Xiubin Yang, and their team aimed to investigate the potential ways in which microplastics enter people’s cardiovascular systems through both indirect and direct exposures. The study also found that some microplastics may have accidentally been introduced to the patients during their surgeries.
Among the plastics detected in the heart tissue were poly(methyl methacrylate), commonly used as a shatter-resistant alternative to glass, as well as polyethylene terephthalate and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) found in clothing, food containers, window frames, drainage pipes, and paint.
The presence of microplastics in cardiac tissues is a cause for alarm, prompting the research team to call for further studies to examine how these particles enter the heart and investigate their potential long-term effects after cardiac surgery.
This latest finding adds to previous research that suggests humans consume an estimated 5 grams of small plastic particles each week, mainly through sea salt, seafood, drinking water, and packaging waste. The accumulation of microplastics in the gastrointestinal tract has been linked to metabolic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and chronic liver disease.
The magnitude of plastic pollution and its impact on human health continue to be pressing concerns for scientists and policymakers alike. Further research is needed to fully understand the extent of microplastic contamination and its potential health implications.