Tag

Microplastics

All articles tagged with #microplastics

science18 hours ago•35 min saved

Scientists Push Back on Microplastics Health Alarm, Citing Method Flaws

A Fortune/Yahoo report notes that several scientists are challenging recent warnings about microplastics harming human health, arguing that many high-profile findings may be due to methodological issues, contamination, and false positives (for example, Py-GC-MS signals can be confused by fat in tissue). Some researchers say rising obesity could better explain observed health problems, and they call for more robust, standardized techniques before policy changes or costly “detox” treatments. Experts also urge precautionary steps but warn against sensational claims while the field remains immature and in need of rigorous validation.

via Yahoo|

#contamination #health #microplastics

health1 day ago•4 min saved

Are Your Dental Tools Sprouting Microplastics?

Researchers say dental products like nylon toothbrush bristles, plastic floss, and even packaging can shed microplastics, potentially affecting oral microbes, causing inflammation, or damaging DNA, but it’s unclear how much ends up in the body or if it causes health problems. Brushing and flossing remain essential, and there’s no proven nonplastic alternative yet. To limit exposure, brush and floss gently with soft bristles, replace your toothbrush every 3–4 months, keep products away from heat and sun, and spit out toothpaste instead of rinsing, though the overall risk is still uncertain.

via The New York Times|

#dental-products #exposure #floss

health1 day ago•4 min saved

Tiny Plastics Detected in 9 of 10 Prostate Tumors, NYU Study Finds

A pilot NYU Langone Health study found microplastic particles in 9 of 10 prostate tumor samples, with cancerous tissue averaging about 40 micrograms per gram versus 16 in healthy tissue (roughly 2.5x higher). The team took rigorous contamination precautions, including using nonplastic tools, and analyzed 12 common plastic molecules. While findings raise the possibility that microplastics could influence cancer risk via inflammation, researchers caution that the small sample size requires larger studies to confirm any causal role; results will be presented at the ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Symposium.

via SciTechDaily|

#cancer-research #health #inflammation

health2 days ago•5 min saved

Tiny plastics found inside prostate tumors spark research questions

In a small, not-yet-peer-reviewed study of 10 men with prostate cancer, researchers found microplastics in 90% of tumor samples and 70% of nearby noncancerous tissue, with higher concentrations in tumors. The findings are preliminary, the study took extensive contamination precautions, and larger studies are needed to determine any causal link or health implications.

via NBC News|

#contamination #health #microplastics

science11 days ago•18 min saved

Microplastics Found Deep in Human Brains, More Common in Dementia Patients

A study of 52 donated brains found microplastics, including polyethylene, in all samples, with higher concentrations in newer specimens and three to five times more particles in some dementia patients, indicating the plastics can cross the blood–brain barrier and accumulate in deep brain regions. While the findings raise concerns about potential brain effects, researchers say causality isn’t established and more work is needed to understand exposure and health implications.

via Earth.com|

#brain #dementia #microplastics

science16 days ago•35 min saved

Tiny plastics in bottled water exceed prior estimates, study finds

A peer‑reviewed study in Science of the Total Environment found bottled water contains higher concentrations of microplastics and nanoplastics than treated tap water, with nanoplastics making up more than 50% of detected particles. Using advanced techniques like scanning electron microscopy and optical photothermal infrared spectroscopy, researchers warn that nanoplastics can cross cellular barriers and potentially reach organs, underscoring the need for better detection and consideration of alternatives to bottled water (e.g., filtered tap water or reusable bottles).

via Yahoo|

#bottled-water #detection-methods #microplastics

environment18 days ago•13 min saved

Everyday Foods Under the Microscope: 14 Microplastic Contaminants

This article surveys multiple studies showing microplastics contaminating 14 common foods and drinks—salt, seafood, sugar, beer, bottled water, honey, milk, cheese, tea, chewing gum, produce, coffee, rice, and meat—with contamination arising from packaging, farming and processing. It notes widespread exposure (e.g., 100% sugar contamination in recent studies; thousands of plastic particles per year from beverages and salt) and health concerns, while stressing complete avoidance is unlikely; practical steps to reduce exposure include choosing plastic-free packaging, washing produce and seafood, avoiding plastic tea bags and cups, and selecting alternative storage or packaging.

via The Takeout|

#beverages #environment #food-safety

science1 month ago•7 min saved

Paternal Microplastics Exposure Rewrites Sperm, Raising Offspring Diabetes Risk

A UC Riverside mouse study shows that a father’s exposure to microplastics can reprogram sperm RNA, which is linked to metabolic problems and diabetes-like phenotypes in female offspring on a high-fat diet, while male offspring exhibit milder effects. The work suggests environmental pollutants can imprint health risks on future generations via small non-coding RNAs and highlights the need for further research in humans.

via SciTechDaily|

#diabetes #metabolic-disorders #microplastics

science1 month ago•34 min saved

PET Microplastics in Bottles Linked to Pancreatic Changes in Animal Study

A study published in BMC Genomics found that microplastics from polyethylene terephthalate (PET)—common in plastic water bottles—caused dose‑dependent changes in pig pancreatic cells, including altered protein abundance and increased fat accumulation and inflammation, suggesting potential pancreatic disruption in humans with PET exposure. While not yet proven for people, the findings add to concerns about microplastics and support policies to curb plastic usage and promote alternatives like reusable bottles.

via Yahoo|

#health-risks #microplastics #pancreatic-function

environment1 month ago•6 min saved

Heat Boosts Microplastic Shedding from Takeaway Coffee Cups

A new study shows heat is the main driver of microplastic release from takeaway cups: all-plastic cups shed more particles than plastic-lined paper cups, and hotter beverages increase particle release. The researchers found a 300 mL daily hot coffee in polyethylene could lead to about 363,000 microplastics ingested annually. While long‑term health effects remain uncertain, the findings suggest using reusable cups or cooler drinks to reduce exposure, and avoiding pouring boiling liquids into plastic-lined containers.

via ScienceAlert|

#coffee-cups #consumer-health #environment

health-and-medicine1 month ago•3 min saved

New debate questions how solid the evidence is for microplastics in human tissues

A growing critique argues that many studies claiming microplastics in human bodies may be flawed, due to Py-GC-MS measurement flaws that can mistake tissue fats for plastics, and inadequate contamination controls. Critics point to 18 papers with questionable methods, highlighting that the field is nascent and that hard proof of health impacts is still lacking, though the possibility of plastics in humans isn’t fully ruled out.

via Futurism|

#brain #contamination #false-positives

environment1 month ago•17 min saved

Microplastics in the body ignite a clash over detection methods

Researchers report microplastics in various human tissues, signaling ubiquity in the body, but a prominent scientist questions the study's methods, fueling a broader dispute about detection techniques and what the findings imply for health.

via The Washington Post|

#environment #materials-industry #microplastics

science1 month ago•45 min saved

Doubts Grow Over Microplastics in the Human Body

Researchers are questioning how microplastics are detected in human tissues, pointing to contamination and lack of validation in key studies. An International Science Council review catalogs about 7,000 studies on the topic; meanwhile new detection methods from the Medical University of Vienna aim to improve accuracy, though broad consensus may take years. While some scientists defend findings, experts urge cautious interpretation and measured policymaking to avoid alarm.

via Ground News|

#contamination #detection-methods #international-science-council

health1 month ago•7 min saved

Microplastics and Health: Early Science, Cautious Headlines, Practical Steps

The piece questions the ubiquity of microplastics in human bodies, noting methodological flaws and potential contamination in some brain-and-tissue studies. While plastics carry toxic chemicals, the evidence for widespread health effects is not definitive, and experts urge not to panic as research methods improve. The article recommends balanced actions to reduce exposure (e.g., drink tap water instead of bottled, avoid microwaving in plastic, use glass or bamboo) while scientists continue refining measurements and understanding of health impacts.

via vox.com|

#exposure-reduction #health #media-coverage

science1 month ago•11 min saved

Microplastics in humans: a cautious take on the hype vs. science

A Guardian briefing questions sensational claims of large amounts of microplastics in the human body, highlighting measurement challenges and potential false positives in early studies. While microplastics are pervasive environmentally, the exact levels in people remain uncertain and methods are still being refined; the health risks are not yet clear, but the broader case for cutting plastic pollution remains strong.

via The Guardian|

#false-positives #human-body #measurement-challenges