Are small plastic particles in our bodies harmful?

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A new study investigates the harm that can be caused by microscopic pieces of plastic that enter the human body.

These substances, known as microplastics and nanoplastics, can enter the body through the air and through food and drink.

Small pieces of plastic have received widespread attention in the media. But so far, little research has been done on how these substances affect human heart health.

A new study suggests that the buildup of such plastic in the body can increase the risk of stroke, heart attack, or death. However, the researchers noted that the evidence presented cannot prove a direct link between small plastic materials and heart problems.

What did the study find?

The study involved 257 people who underwent medical surgery to unclog blood vessels in their necks. Researchers in Italy looked at fat deposits that doctors removed from the carotid arteries, which supply blood and oxygen to the brain.

Using two methods, they found evidence of plastics (mostly invisible nanoplastics) in the arterial plaques of 150 patients. No trace of plastic was found in 107 patients.

The research team followed these people for three years. During that time, 30 people, or 20 percent, of the group wearing the plastic had heart attacks, strokes, or died from other causes. In people with no evidence of plastic, these rates dropped to about 8%.

The findings were recently published in a study. New England Medical Journal.

The researchers also found evidence that: inflammation People who have small pieces of plastic in their blood. Inflammation is the body’s response to injury and is thought to increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.

What problems are there in research?

The researchers acknowledged that their study was very small. For example, we only looked at narrowed down people. artery They were already at risk for heart attacks and strokes.

And patients who wore plastic had more heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. cholesterol than the one without plastic. They were also more likely to be male and more likely to be smokers. Both of these groups generally have higher rates of heart disease.

Researchers sought to explain these differences in risk. But they pointed out that they may have missed some important factors that could change the results. The researchers said that because of these continuing questions, this type of study cannot prove that plastic is the cause of health problems.

Steve Nissen, a heart specialist at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, was not involved in the study. He told The Associated Press that he thought the team’s estimates of a fourfold increased risk of heart attack, stroke and death were too high.

“That means these microplastics are the most important cause of coronary heart disease ever discovered. And we don’t think that’s true,” Nissen said. .

What do researchers do next?

Philip Landrigan of Boston College University told The Associated Press that more research is needed on this issue. Landrigan wrote about the study: journal, said this is the first study to suggest a link between microplastics and nanoplastics and human disease. Other scientists have found plastic debris in lungs, liver, blood, placenta, and breast milk.

“It doesn’t prove causation, but it does suggest cause and effect,” Landrigan said. duplicated Or it may be disproved by other studies conducted by other researchers and in other populations. ”

Nissen of the Cleveland Clinic added of the study: “This is perhaps a wake-up call that we need to take the issue of microplastics more seriously. As a cause of heart disease? Not proven. potential Cause? Yeah, probably,” Nissen said.

I’m Brian Lin.

The Associated Press reported this story. Brian Lin compiled this report for his VOA Learning English.

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