PATH’s Post

Curb ‘stupid plastics’ and stop industry BS: urgent actions to prevent a plastic crisis The worst of microplastics is yet to come. Here’s what we need to do now to begin mitigating the wide-ranging harms. P lastic is everywhere, including our bodies. This year, various researchers found microplastics in every sample of placental tissue they tested; in human arteries, where plastics correlate with increased risk of heart attacks and strokes; in all 27 of the human testes they studied; and the semen of 40 otherwise healthy patients, adding to concerns that plastics – many of which contain hormone-disrupting chemicals – may be contributing to a global decline in sperm health. These recent discoveries add to the rapidly mounting evidence of plastic’s ubiquity and our growing understanding of the health risks it poses. https://lnkd.in/gu8_DZ6f

Curb ‘stupid plastics’ and stop industry BS: urgent actions to prevent a plastic crisis The worst of microplastics is yet to come. Here’s what we need to do now to begin mitigating the wide-ranging harms Adrienne Matei Plastic is everywhere, including our bodies. This year, various researchers found microplastics in every sample of placental tissue they tested; in human arteries, where plastics correlate with increased risk of heart attacks and strokes; in all 27 of the human testes they studied; and the semen of 40 otherwise healthy patients, adding to concerns that plastics – many of which contain hormone-disrupting chemicals – may be contributing to a global decline in sperm health. These recent discoveries add to the rapidly mounting evidence of plastic’s ubiquity and our growing understanding of the health risks it poses Read on at https://lnkd.in/dzVNxdM5

"Plastic is everywhere, including our bodies. This year, various researchers found microplastics in every sample of placental tissue they tested; in human arteries, where plastics correlate with increased risk of heart attacks and strokes; in all 27 of the human testes they studied; and the semen of 40 otherwise healthy patients, adding to concerns that plastics – many of which contain hormone-disrupting chemicals – may be contributing to a global decline in sperm health. These recent discoveries add to the rapidly mounting evidence of plastic’s ubiquity and our growing understanding of the health risks it poses. It is increasingly apparent that we are in a plastic health crisis. Industry profits from products that are not safe, passing these health and economic burdens on to the public and governments." https://lnkd.in/ery7qzZP #plastic #plastics

As a follow to an earlier post on microplastics, researchers found #microplastics in 80% of the blood clots, with higher amounts in sicker patients. The more microplastics there were, the worse the patients' conditions seemed to be. Blood clots represent serious acute threat, particularly causal in heart attacks and strokes. The most common type of microplastic found was #polyethylene (PE), which was about the size of a grain of sand and had different shapes. Polyethylene is typically used for plastic bags, and food/drink containers. Single-use plastic water bottles are one of the worst offenders that can easily be replaced by reusable containers. https://lnkd.in/eAyYQqH8

Plastic Erasers vs. FLOMO Non-toxic Eco Erasers: Which is Best for Your Needs? Do you know there is a difference between plastic erasers and non-toxic erasers? In this article, we talk about the comparison of these two types of erasers, and how you can choose between them. Click to check full article↓ https://lnkd.in/g_chYFfV

Money Fact Monday… The presence of microplastics in human blood has raised concerns about their impact on health and the environment. Researchers from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and the Amsterdam University Medical Center found evidence of plastic species in blood samples from healthy donors. These microplastics included polyethylene terephthalate (PET) commonly used in clothing and drink bottles, as well as polymers of styrene found in vehicle parts, carpets, and food containers. The study also found that plastic was found in all participants. On average, 1.6 micrograms of plastic material were measured per milliliter of blood, with the highest concentration exceeding 7 micrograms. While the long-term health effects remain unclear, the growing plastic waste problem underscores the need for reducing plastic consumption and minimizing its impact on our bodies and the environment. Babies and young children may be particularly vulnerable to chemical and particle exposure. The presence of plastic in the bloodstream has been associated with decline in population in some developing countries due to decreased fertility rates. Plastics in blood stream is also a contributing factor to certain cardiovascular diseases after controlling for all other variables. #Microplastics #PlasticPollution #HealthAndEnvironment #EcoAwareness #ReducePlastic #SustainableLiving #PlasticFreeLife #ToxicParticles #HumanHealth

🤰🏼🚰 "1 liter of bottled water contains 240,000 microplastic particles, negatively impacting pregnancy and fetal development." According to research conducted by Columbia University in the United States, approximately 240,000 plastic particles were detected per liter of bottled water. The study revealed that the process of opening plastic bottles contributes to the generation of microplastics, and each time the bottle is opened and closed, the level of microplastics increases. Similarly, research from the University of Milan in Italy confirmed the generation of microplastics when opening and closing plastic bottles. Furthermore, not only bottled water but also products such as cosmetics, facial cleansers, toothpaste, pharmaceuticals, and detergents containing microbeads contribute to environmental pollution. Microbeads enter marine environments through sewage systems and can re-enter the human body via consumption by fish. Microplastics pose serious health risks, especially nano-sized particles, which can penetrate various parts of the body, including blood vessels, lungs, brain, placenta, breast milk, and testes. The World Health Organization (WHO) categorizes the risks of microplastics into three aspects, highlighting not only the direct harm of microplastics but also the potential health hazards posed by chemical substances and microorganisms that may be associated with them during processing. Based on these research findings, there is a call for governments, businesses, and individuals to reduce the use of microplastics and seek environmentally friendly alternatives. https://lnkd.in/gcXuhSKd #microplastics #bottledwater #MicroFilter #environment

Microplastics

More alarming evidence of the health effects of plastics "Doctors have warned of potentially life-threatening effects from plastic pollution after finding a substantially raised risk of stroke, heart attack and earlier death in people whose blood vessels were contaminated with microscopic plastics." The main culprits are #polyethelene (the most commonly produced plastic) and #PVC, a material associated with numerous health concerns and consequently recommended for phase out in many applications. Also am important reminder that #avoidance and design for reuse should be prioritised over #recycling materials with significant health impacts. UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures Minderoo Foundation Sarah McEvoy #circulareconomy #reuserevolution #plasticpollution

Tiny flecks of plastic inside in the arteries may ramp up the risks of cardiovascular disease. A recent analysis of artery-clogging plaques in 257 patients found that the presence of these microplastics was associated with a roughly quadrupled risk of heart attack, stroke or death. The study has gained attention worldwide and renewed concerns about the effects of plastics on human health. Microplastics can enter our bodies through the food and drink we consume, the air we breathe and even directly through the skin. This study offers yet another reason why it’s probably a good idea to reduce plastic use and curb plastic and microplastic pollution. If you found this interesting and would like to know more about the EEPC or join us in our pledge to rid the East of England of plastic by 2030, email [william.fitter@eunomia.co.uk] #plasticpollution #microplastic #plastics #health