Scientists in China have detected, for the first time, microplastics, such as those used in food packaging and paints, in the human heart.
Scientists from Beijing Hospital in China made the alarming discovery after analyzing the heart tissue of 15 patients who underwent cardiovascular surgery, according to the study published by the American Chemical Society.
Scientists discovered tens of thousands of microplastics in most of the tissue samples examined, and they also found plastic particles in all blood samples, according to the American New York Post.
Alarming results of the study
• Nine types of plastic were found in five types of heart tissue.
• The study also found evidence that some microplastics were unintentionally introduced to people during surgeries.
• The plastics found in three different parts of the core included polymethyl methacrylate, a plastic commonly used as a substitute for shatter-resistant glass.
• Polyethylene terephthalate, which is used in clothing and food containers, and polyvinyl chloride, which is found in window frames, drainage pipes, paint, and so on, were also found.
• Last year, a study suggested that humans consume about 5 grams of microplastic particles each week, or roughly the weight of a credit card.
• Scientists at the Medical University of Vienna found that plastic particles make their way into the human food chain from packaging waste, and enter the body through sea salt, seafood and even drinking water.
• Changes in the digestive system caused by “microplastics” have been linked to metabolic diseases such as obesity, diabetes and chronic liver disease.
2023-08-12 22:29:54
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