A small study published in New England Medical Journal Suggests that microplastics and smaller nanoplastics may affect the heart. Images are for representative purposes only. File | Photo credit: AP

In recent years, microplastics have become a growing concern for human health.

In a recent study published in New England Medical Journal – microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) in atheroma and cardiovascular events; Of the more than 200 people who underwent carotid endarterectomy (surgery to remove a blockage in the carotid artery), 58% had detectable amounts of polyethylene in the removed carotid plaque, and 12% also contained measurable amounts of polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

Polyethylene is widely used as part of food containers, bags, and wrappers, while PVC is commonly used to make pipes and other structural materials. Sanjay said that after nearly three years of follow-up of patients who underwent surgery, those with traces of plastic in their arteries were more likely to experience heart attacks, strokes and death than those without plastic in their arteries. The sex was 4.5 times higher. Rajagopalan, chief of cardiovascular medicine at University Hospitals, and Herman Hellerstein, professor of medicine at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine in Cleveland, are co-authors of the study, along with Rafael Marfera and colleagues from Italy, the United States, and Denmark. It is. .

In this prospective, multicenter, observational study, patients were assigned to a group with plaques with detected MNPs and a group with plaques without detected MNPs.

Plastics are ubiquitous in the biosphere and tend to emit microscopic particles that end up being inhaled or ingested by humans, he said in an email. is also gaining attention in other human tissues and is increasingly being implicated in health effects, he added. This is the first study to suggest a link to heart attacks and strokes, as well as cancer and metabolic diseases.

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The authors noted that the results do not prove causation and that the study has certain limitations. “While association in no way proves causation, it is certainly very worrying to have plastic wrapped around parts of the body that don’t need plastic to be there,” Dr. Rajagopalan noted.

What are the key takeaways for individuals? “One thing is for sure. Plastics are innovative, especially in the medical field, but they are overused, especially in food and water preparation and storage, and for use as such bags. Until the health effects are fully understood, its use should be approached with extreme caution and alternative storage containers such as glass or steel should be considered. “It is also cost-effective to avoid purchasing plastic bottles and use reusable stainless steel containers,” he added.

He also said that it is important to dispose of all types of plastics carefully to reduce widespread contamination of the biosphere by plastics.