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guslohThe issue of plastic contamination, particularly from microplastics (MNPs) and nanoplastics,
is a pervasive and deeply concerning problem that has been extensively highlighted by Eric
Topol in his recent book, Super Agers, and in his Ground Truths newsletter. He underscores
that these microscopic particles, which are now ubiquitous, pose serious health hazards.
Ubiquity and Presence in the Body
Topol's discussions reveal that MNPs are found throughout our environment—in the air we
breathe, the food we eat, the oceans, and even in bottled drinking water. Annually, over 400
million tons of plastic are produced, a figure expected to double by 2040, contributing to a
cumulative burden of over 600 billion tons of plastic that will never disappear. For instance,
an average liter of bottled water can contain over 240,000 plastic particles, with 90% being
nanoplastics.
Disturbingly, MNPs have infiltrated virtually every organ and tissue in the human body. They
have been detected in our arteries, brains, blood clots, liver, gut, lungs, placentas, lymph
nodes, testes, and semen. In fact, CDC data suggest that these particles are likely present in
the bodies of all Americans.
Documented Health Hazards of Plastic Contamination
The presence of microplastics and their associated chemicals, including thousands of
additives known to be carcinogenic, neurotoxic, and endocrine-disrupting, has been linked to
a wide array of adverse health effects.
According to Topol, some of the significant health hazards include:
Cardiovascular System:
o A landmark study, highlighted by Topol, found that 58% of patients
undergoing carotid artery surgery had microplastics or nanoplastics in
their atherosclerotic plaque. The presence of these MNPs was correlated
with marked inflammation of the arteries and an alarming 4.5-fold
heightened risk of heart attack, stroke, or death over three years of follow-
up.
o Microplastics have also been detected in 80% of blood clots from patients
experiencing heart attacks, strokes, or deep vein thrombosis.
o In a mouse model, MNPs in the bloodstream were shown to cross the blood-
brain barrier, activate the immune system, and result in stagnation of blood
flow, culminating in blood clots and neurological abnormalities.
o An additional preprint noted a correlation between marine MNP concentration
in U.S. coastline counties and a significantly higher prevalence of Type 2
diabetes, coronary artery disease, and stroke.
Brain and Cognitive Health:
o A recent Nature Medicine report, discussed by Topol, showed significant
accumulation of microplastics in the human brain, with concentrations 7 to
30 times greater than in the liver or kidneys.
o Even more concerning, brains from individuals with dementia had MNP
concentrations 2 to 10 times higher than those from people without
dementia.
o While causality is not yet definitively established, this accumulation is flanked
by extensive evidence of aggressive inflammation and adverse outcomes in
other organs. Associations with cognitive decline have also been described.
Reproductive System:
o Microplastics have been detected in the testes of all 23 men assessed in one
study, at levels threefold higher than in canine testes, and their presence was
associated with less weight of the testes and lower sperm count.
o A multi-center study from China revealed MNPs in the semen and urine of all
113 men assessed, linked to reduced sperm count and semen quality.
o Plastic exposures from the "plastic life cycle" have been linked to infertility,
low birth weight, and premature births.
Other Systemic Effects:
o MNPs and the chemicals they carry are associated with increased risks of
asthma, various cancers, interstitial lung disease, inflammatory bowel
disease (with fecal microplastics significantly elevated and correlating with
disease severity), Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and immune system damage.
o They can also induce abnormal lipid metabolism and disrupt endocrine
function.
Sources of Exposure
Microplastics primarily enter our bodies through ingestion (from food and drinks, including
bottled water) and inhalation (from airborne particles released by plastic items and synthetic
textiles). Plastics also leach plasticizers, which are fat-soluble, into high-fat foods that come
in plastic packaging.
Strategies to Avoid/Reduce Exposure
While the scale of the problem is immense and requires systemic change, Eric Topol's
insights, often drawing from sources like Consumer Reports, suggest several practical steps
individuals can take to reduce their exposure:
Food and Drink Packaging: Avoid food and drinks packaged in plastics.
Limit Certain Foods: Limit consumption of fast foods and microwaved ready-
meals, as heating in plastic containers can leach large amounts of microplastics. Also,
be mindful of high-fat foods packaged in plastic, as they can contain higher levels of
fat-soluble plasticizers.
Alternative Kitchenware: Use water bottles made of glass or steel instead of
plastic. Opt for kitchen tools made of wood or steel.
Reduce Synthetic Materials: Reduce the use of synthetic fabrics and regularly
clean household dust, as microplastics can become airborne from the wear and tear
of these materials.
Address Water Sources: While complex, addressing the burden of man-made
perfluorinated or polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS)—"forever chemicals" with
similar concerns to microplastics—in tap water could reduce exposure. However,
Topol notes that the EPA has only just begun regulating a small fraction of the
thousands of PFAS chemicals in drinking water.
Call for Systemic Change
Topol emphasizes that individual actions alone are insufficient to combat this escalating
crisis. He consistently advocates for broader systemic changes, including:
Drastic cutting of plastic production: The current annual plastic output is
unsustainable and needs significant reduction.
Reduced reliance on plastic products: There is an urgent need to lessen our
dependence on plastic products for everyday functions, such as disposable water
bottles.
Bans on single-use plastics: Topol explicitly calls for action on the "pervasive,
promiscuous use" of disposable single-use items, ideally banning them, as they
account for 40% of plastics.
He warns that the "plastic crisis has grown insidiously while all eyes have focused on climate
change," and demands urgent attention given the overwhelming evidence of their toxicity and
aggressive inflammatory response documented across multiple organ systems.