Understanding the health risks of microplastics | Zero Hedge \ stacker news ~science

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Understanding the health risks of microplastics | Zero Hedge www.zerohedge.com/the-market-ear/understanding-health-risks-microplastics

269 sats \ 2 comments \ @Rothbardian_fanatic 13h science

What kick-started the focus was a headline grabbing new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2024 that examined the presence of microplastics and nanoplastics in human arterial plaque. Researchers analysed plaque samples from 304 patients and they detected microplastics, predominantly polyethylene, in the arterial plaque of these patients. Notably, individuals with microplastics in their arterial plaque were found to have a 4.5 times higher risk of experiencing a heart attack, stroke, or death within the subsequent three years compared to those without such microplastic presence. Very scary data indeed. Since then, various health influencers have competed in extrapolating this study and recommended implementing more and more extreme lifestyle measures to avoid plastic.

Among other health risk that have been mentioned are increased risk for chronic diseases, infertility, and endocrine issues as well as oxidative stress, inflammatory reactions and epigenetic changes.

Now Peter Attia & his team have spent a fair amount of time to review all the data on the subject. Here are his important conclusions.

Attia and crew had some very interesting findings: the media had it exaggerated, once again. He lists his findings in the article in a fairly straightforward way that is easy to understand and read. You may want to read this one because it affects you.

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61 sats \ 1 reply \ @south_korea_ln 13h

I agree that social media and news headlines are not very good at representing the content of the actual studies. The latter have been mostly very careful about extrapolating from the fact that microplastics are on the rise to the unproven guess regarding the long term impact on health in humans.

Those few points from your link are quite relevant to me (one should also read the other ones for context... I don't want to cherry pick):

Actual consumption of microplastics is much lower than popular media suggests.

[...]

Despite incomplete data, it is clear that plastic concentrations in human tissues are rising.

Current data does not conclusively prove that micro/nanoplastics (MNPs) are significantly hazardous to human health, nor does it confirm their harmlessness.

Given the lack of benefits and potential for harm, reducing exposure appears prudent.

Significant risk reduction is achievable without excessive cost or effort. Example: Replacing plastic with glass for food storage and water bottles is affordable and convenient. So is avoid heating or storing food in plastic.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @Rothbardian_fanatic OP 13h

I know, that is why I posted this article. I read the points Attia was making and it seemed to be at total odds with what I was seeing in the msm and social media. Attia was making much more sense than the fearmongers.