They're known for polluting oceans and beaches, but microplastics could have an even more insidious effect: messing with our health. Researchers from Case Western Reserve University in Ohio presented a study at the American College of Cardiology's annual meeting that will raise eyebrows. According to them, these small pieces of plastic (between 1 nanometer and 5 millimeters) could be linked to an increase in certain non-communicable diseases, including strokes, hypertension, and diabetes.
Plastic particles even in our arteries?
To get to To reach this conclusion, the researchers cross-referenced data on the concentration of microplastics in marine sediments (East, West, and Gulf coasts of the United States, as well as certain lakes) with the health statistics of the inhabitants of these regions. Result: the more microplastics there are, the more frequent the health problems.
The study goes further than simple observations. It is based on a machine learning model taking into account 154 environmental and social factors (income, employment, air pollution, etc.). And surprise: microplastics rise to the top 10 of the best indicators of chronic diseases. Better - or worse - Their impact would be comparable to that of certain social inequalities such as access to healthcare or ethnic origin.
“We didn't expect to see them so high in the ranking,” acknowledges Sai Rahul Ponnana, lead author of the study. He insists: just because there is a correlation doesn't mean we can talk about a direct cause. But the association is strong enough to sound the alarm. Another striking element: the higher the concentration of microplastics, the greater the prevalence of diseases. In short, this isn't just a passing coincidence.
There's no question of giving in to paranoia, though; we're not going to stop breathing or drinking water. But this kind of result reminds us that we live surrounded by plastic—and that this invisible presence may not be without effect.
The researchers recommend, above all, acting at the source: producing less plastic, better managing waste, and avoiding over-packaging. Because once these particles are in the environment, it becomes almost impossible to avoid them. "Taking care of our environment also means taking care of ourselves," concludes Ponnana. A phrase that could almost be printed on a tote bag (made of fabric, of course).
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