All articles tagged with #nanoplastics
New research from the University of Plymouth reveals that nanoplastics can penetrate vegetables' edible parts, raising concerns about microplastic contamination in our food and potential health risks, as these tiny particles can bypass natural plant barriers and accumulate in crops.
A scientist warns that daily consumption of bottled water introduces tens of thousands of micro- and nanoplastics into the body, which may cause chronic health issues such as inflammation, hormone disruption, and neurological damage, though long-term effects are still not fully understood. Education and awareness are crucial to mitigate these risks.
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles less than 5mm in size, with nanoplastics smaller than 1 micrometer that can penetrate cells, posing health risks. They are comparable in size to grains of sand or human hair and are ubiquitous in the environment, raising concerns about their impact on human health and ecosystems.
A Trinity College Dublin study suggests that tiny nanoplastics may contribute to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's by damaging brain cell mitochondria, highlighting the need to reduce plastic exposure to protect brain health.
Researchers have developed a simple, inexpensive method using an optical sieve, a microscope, and a camera to detect nanoplastics as small as 200 nanometers in water and biological samples, potentially revolutionizing environmental monitoring and health impact assessments.
Researchers have developed a low-cost, portable optical sieve using a semiconductor material with tiny cavities that can detect and size nanoplastics as small as 200 nanometres in environmental samples, facilitating easier monitoring of plastic pollution and potential health impacts.
A study suggests that nanoplastics exposure may worsen Alzheimer's disease by spreading from the brain to the body via the gut-liver-brain axis, highlighting environmental pollution's potential health risks and the need for continued research and pollution mitigation efforts.
Researchers have estimated that the North Atlantic Ocean contains about 27 million tons of nanoplastics less than 1 micrometer in size, highlighting the vast and largely invisible scale of plastic pollution in our oceans and its potential impact on ecosystems and human health. The study emphasizes the need to prevent further plastic pollution, as nanoplastics are pervasive and difficult to clean up.
Scientists have estimated that approximately 27 million tons of nanoplastics are present in the North Atlantic Ocean, revealing a vast amount of tiny plastic particles that are difficult to clean up and pose potential risks to marine life and human health. The study highlights the importance of preventing further plastic pollution rather than attempting to remove existing nanoplastics.
A study estimates that approximately 27 million tons of nanoplastics, tiny plastic particles smaller than 1 micrometer, are floating in the North Atlantic Ocean, highlighting a significant and previously unquantified component of plastic pollution with potential ecological and health impacts.
UTEP researchers discovered that nanoplastics and PFAS chemicals disrupt vital proteins in human breast milk and myoglobin, potentially causing developmental defects and health issues. This research highlights the need for safer material alternatives and could influence future environmental policies.
A new study has found a correlation between the presence of microplastics and nanoplastics in artery plaque and a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, and death. The study analyzed plaque samples from 257 patients undergoing preventative surgery and found that those with detectable microplastics and nanoplastics had an increased risk of cardiovascular events. The presence of these plastics was also associated with signs of inflammation and was more common in participants with diabetes and cardiovascular disease. This adds to a growing body of evidence linking plastic products to potential health risks, prompting further investigation into the specific mechanisms by which microplastics and nanoplastics may cause harm in the body.
A new study suggests that the buildup of microplastics and nanoplastics inside the body may increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, or death, but researchers note that the evidence presented cannot prove a direct link. The study involved 257 people with narrowed arteries and found evidence of plastics in the artery plaque of 150 patients. While more research is needed to confirm or disprove the connection, the study serves as a wake-up call to take the issue of microplastics more seriously in relation to potential health risks.
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that people with microplastics or nanoplastics in their carotid artery tissues were twice as likely to have a heart attack, stroke, or die from any cause over the next three years. Nanoplastics, which are the most concerning for human health, can migrate through tissues and potentially deposit harmful chemicals in major organs. The study raises urgent questions about the cardiovascular risks associated with plastic contamination and suggests reducing plastic use and exposure to minimize health risks.
New research suggests that people with microplastics and nanoplastics in plaque lining a major blood vessel in their neck may have a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, or death. The study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, is the first to link these tiny plastic particles to cardiovascular disease. Researchers found plastic particles in the plaque of 150 out of 257 patients studied, and those with detectable levels had nearly a five times greater risk of a cardiovascular event. While the study cannot prove causation, it raises concerns about the potential impact of plastic pollution on human health and calls for further investigation.