The invisible threat: Exploring the potential impact of microplastics on your health

Microplastics are everywhere. From the deepest trenches of the ocean to the peaks of mountains, these plastic pollutants have been invading our environment for decades. But their presence isn't just an ecological concern - there are growing worries about the potential impact of microplastics on human health. A recent study by Science Direct says that microplastics travel throughout the body and that microplastics could contribute to specific problems, such as vascular inflammation or changes in blood clotting function. The health consequences of ingesting and inhaling microplastics are varied and can be long term. Dr. Rakesh Deshmane, consultant, cardiothoracic and vascular surgery at Manipal Hospital, delves into the current concerns regarding the effect of microplastics on human health, exploring how we're exposed, the potential health risks, and more.

What are microplastics?
Deshmane: Microplastics are just tiny fragments of plastics whose dimensions do not exceed 5 millimeters, originating more than often from decomposing plastic waste, industrial processes, and many consumer products. Being little, they can be swallowed or breathed into the body thereby affecting human health in certain cases and the environment too. Prolonged exposure to these particles leads them to build up within organisms hence raising fears over what they might result in in the end. Microplastics, which are commonly seen in oceans and other water bodies, have raised concerns because they can interact with sea creatures and may end up in the diet of these creatures., hence needing more studies and methods for reducing their widespread presence that needs attention.

Can microplastics accumulate in our bodies over time, and if so, what are the long-term health consequences?
Deshmane: Indeed, yes, microplastics can settle down within our organisms as time goes on leading to several likely health intricacies. And it's because they don't decompose easily after getting into our system through food, air, or even skin. This small accessory is now integrated into the life cycle. Microplastics cause diseases like cardiovascular problems, lung issues, and cancer when they stay in the system for long periods. Their presence always raises the alarm in people's minds concerning what problems they could cause tomorrow, thus needing more study and action to minimise their probable consequences.

What are the most common routes of microplastic exposure for humans (e.g., ingestion, inhalation)?
Deshmane: Humans are exposed to microplastics via three pathways mainly: swallowing, inhaling, and skin contact. Swallowing results from consuming unclean food substances or drinks, which are contaminated by these small pieces as a result of pollution from industry activities or other human actions. Inhaling means drawing air into the lungs containing tiny bits of plastics suspended therein that are known to find their way into the house through open windows or doors.

Touching the skin's surface with products containing microplastics like certain personal care items defines dermal contact. Together, these pathways and issues account for human exposure to those tiny particles, which makes it essential to explore the origins and implications of microplastic contamination in different settings.

Are there certain populations, such as infants or pregnant women, who are more susceptible to the health risks of microplastics?
Deshmane: Microplastics pose a health risk for pregnant mothers and infants because they are in their formative stages and have unique biological constitutions. This increased vulnerability could result in developmental anomalies in newborns and escalate chances for premature delivery in expectant women.

It is very important to understand how microplastics can affect newborns and pregnant women to protect them properly, especially because infants and pregnant women are more vulnerable due to their tiny size and the fact they are still growing.

How can we accurately measure the levels of microplastics in the human body?
Deshmane: Accurately identifying microplastic levels within human bodies requires sophisticated techniques, including spectroscopy or microscopy, which help in analysing tissues and body fluids adequately. Biomonitoring studies contribute greatly towards assessing the extent of exposure by examining materials such as blood, urine, and stool samples. These techniques enable scientists to find out how many microplastics are present in each person allowing us to have some understanding of what may be causing high levels of exposure and could influence your health. State-of-the-art analytics allow for an exhaustive investigation of the extent of microplastic pollution in human tissue, improving our grasp on the distribution and consequences of this ubiquitous contaminant for human well-being.

How might microplastics disrupt gut health and microbiome function, potentially leading to other health problems?
Deshmane: The diversity and function of gut microbes are interfered with by the mechanisms in which microplastics disrupt gut health and microbiome function. This, in turn, can add to digestive disorders, lowered immune responses, and increased chances of suffering from chronic diseases like obesity or diabetes. When the equilibrium of the gut microbiota is disturbed by microplastics, significant health problems other than gastrointestinal ones could occur. Realising these complex connections among microplastic exposure, gut health, and overall health outcomes is essential in elucidating the various effects of microplastics on human health as a whole and highlights the necessity of dealing with them as such.

Does exposure to microplastics contribute to the rise of chronic diseases like cancer or autoimmune disorders?
Deshmane: Adaptation to plastic particles is commonly accepted as a contributor to the cause of chronic diseases like growths and diseases against one's body organs. Even if it has not yet been established conclusively, studies show that it is likely that microplastics in our bodies accelerate development or increase severity levels for such chronic ailments. The fact that microplastics can interact with living organisms and because inflammation makes some people fearful that they might be contributing to long-term ailments. Finding out how and why will help us see just what dangers they present to human beings, as well as come up with ways to prevent these negatives from continuing up to any level of extinction possible.by microplastics and implementing effective strategies to mitigate their adverse impacts.

Do certain types or sizes of microplastics pose a greater risk to cardiovascular health than others?
Deshmane: Certain categories and dimensions of microplastics may present varying degrees of risk to cardiovascular health, with distinctions in their composition and size influencing their potential impacts. Nanoplastics, characterised by their minute scale, hold a particular concern as they possess the capability to permeate deeper tissues within the cardiovascular system. Specific types and sizes of microplastics may pose different levels of danger to heart health, with differences in their composition and size affecting how harmful they may be. Nanoplastics are small enough that they can permeate deep tissues located in the human body.

Can microplastics disrupt hormonal regulation, leading to hormonal imbalances that could affect heart health, particularly in women?
Deshmane: The human body may experience an imbalance in hormone levels due to the presence of microplastics, which could lead to heart problems, especially in women. Different health problems may be reported if microplastics affect the regular expression of hormones in the body. Such problems may include, for instance, fertility issues or changes in metabolism. In particular, it is women who might likely increase susceptibility to these disturbances, a situation that underscores the importance of thinking about gender-specific health implications associated with microplastic exposure. For purposes of averting cardiovascular as well as general health, it is important to note that knowing the effects of endocrine disruptions instigated by microplastics is essential and therefore there should be focused studies and interventions aimed at reducing such risks.

Are there long-term consequences of microplastic accumulation in organs like the heart and blood vessels?
Deshmane: Prolonged exposure to microplastics in the heart and blood vessels can lead to a continuous health problem. Such health problems from the accumulation of microplastics within the body systems may result from direct physical injury to blood vessels thus causing conditions like atherosclerosis, hypertension, and finally heart failure.

The steady increase of microplastics within vital organs revealed must be understood over time. To elucidate preventive methods and therapeutic interventions for caring for the well-being of the vein system and reduce adverse effects from microplastics-induced injuries, one must inevitably address the potential risk of deposits in the cardiovascular system.

Are there any effective ways to detoxify the body from microplastics?
Deshmane: No formal protocols have been put in place to detoxify the body from microplastics, which remains a major impediment in addressing their existence. The best way to deal with the contamination of microplastics involves reducing one's contact with them as well as preventing any more from entering the system. It is important to concentrate on preventive measures rather than getting rid of these toxic particles because this particular method does not exist.

The most pragmatic approach is the one that curbs plastic pollution. People can reduce their exposure to microplastics and potentially decrease associated health risks due to the absence of established detoxification mechanisms by giving priority to prevention and reduction strategies.

Are there dietary or lifestyle changes that can help reduce our exposure to microplastics and potentially protect our cardiovascular health?
Deshmane: Making changes in eating habits and everyday living can be very important in reducing one's exposure to microplastics and improving heart health (Crary, 2005). This also means choosing fresh or slightly processed products; keeping your things in glass jars and containers made of stainless steel; and avoiding using synthetic clothes as much as possible while saying no to plastics that are used only once thus stopping the plastic problem.

Furthermore, aiding to reduce the prevalence of microplastics in the environment is supporting efforts that aim at stopping plastic pollution. Individuals can therefore reduce their chances of getting exposed to microplastics in different ways by recommending sustainable practices and accepting these changes which are part of their lifestyles enhancing good cardiovascular health and well-being in general.