WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 8 AND 9 MICROPLASTICS

 THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2025 - MICROPLASTICS

In the past few years, microplastics have come to the forefront of health issues.

BACKGROUND:

Microplastics are a pollutant that can affect human health in several ways, including: 

• Heart attack, stroke, and death
  A study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that patients with microplastics in their carotid artery plaque had a 4.5 times greater risk of heart attack, stroke, or death. 

• (4.5 TIMES?  That’s 450% times more likely!!)

• Inflammation
  Microplastics can cause inflammation, cell death, and other health effects. 

• Immune response
  Microplastics can trigger an immune response in the body. 

• Other health effects
  Microplastics can also cause oxidative stress, genotoxicity, and cytotoxicity. 

• Magnify other toxicant exposures
  Microplastics can increase the potency of other toxicants, such as cadmium. 

• Carry pathogens
  Microplastics can carry antibiotic-resistant bacteria and other pathogens on their surfaces. 

Microplastics can enter the human body through: 

• Food: Microplastics can be found in food. 

• Air: Microplastics can be found in the air. 

• Ingestion: One study found that people can ingest up to a credit card's worth of plastic in a week. 

Microplastics come from many sources, including: 

• The breakdown of larger plastics, such as water bottles

• Foam from food containers and disposable silverware

• Synthetically manufactured micro beads used in cosmetics and healthcare products

To reduce the risk of microplastics, you can: 

• Advocate for reduced plastic manufacturing and more recycling

• Encourage hospitals and clinics to be more sustainable

Review the use of plastic, especially single-use plastics and synthetic textile products.

Furthermore,

This can also affect the reproductive system.  (Be ready for tomorrow’s blog).  Microplastics have been discovered in mother’s milk (so, now the baby get’s started on microplastics).  I hold onto my phone (with a plastic case.  

*****

Plastic is everywhere.  I’m writing from my desk. I’m guessing my laptop computer has a plastic case, pens, an ibuprofen bottle, pill containers, and more - made of plastic.  I have my new dentures (also plastic ones) in my mouth.  Much of my foodstuffs come in plastic containers!!  My world is a world of PLASTICS.  Not necessarily microplastics - but possibly putting more microplastics into my system.

(I remember the days when some people put a plastic image of Jesus on their dashboard.  Even Jesus gives some microplastics!!!)

LOVE WINS

LOVE TRANSFORMS US (but will LOVE eliminate the microplastics in our bodies?)

Karen Anne White, January 8, 2025