It could be time to pull the plug on your beloved jug. Everyone knows that it’s important to hydrate — water delivers nutrients to cells, regulates body temperature, lubricates joints and helps remove waste. You can’t live without it. Carrying a reusable water bottle ensures consistent hydration throughout the day. The problem is, concerns have … Read more
They’re small, sneaky and swimming in your veins. Microplastics have been found throughout the human body — and early research suggests they may pose some serious health risks. Now, scientists say a blood-filtration technique already used in hospitals around the world might be able help flush them out. Microplastics are a growing public health concern. … Read more
It’s time to talk about the birds, the bees and the PTFEs. They’re already in our lungs, livers, kidneys, blood and even our brains. New research out Tuesday in the journal Human Reproduction reveals that microplastics are coming for our baby-makers, too. A new study has found a shocking amount of microplastics in semen and ovaries … Read more
Now that school’s almost out, parents everywhere are stocking their pantry for a summer of good, clean fun. But with microplastics and forever chemicals lurking everywhere — how do you protect your little ones from these terrible toxins? Pediatrician Dr. Manasa Mantravadi revealed the three things she’s banned from her kitchen for good, including a … Read more
You know microplastics are showing up in your take out containers and your junk food. But alarming fresh research indicates they’re present in pretty much anything you consume — and the effects of these tiny particles are from far teeny. New research raises red flags about what all that invisible plastic might be doing to … Read more
Not to be knit-picky, but laundry is a major contributor to microplastic pollution. Synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon shed tiny fibers during the wash cycle that can pass through standard wastewater treatment and end up in waterways. Now, three Case Western Reserve University engineering alumni have fabricated a special washing machine filtration system to … Read more
More like discomfort food. A collection of four papers — published Tuesday in the journal Brain Medicine — reports a disturbing link between microplastics, ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and mental health. Shocking new research suggests some of your favorite foods may be giving your brain a not-so-happy meal. Getty Images/iStockphoto UPFs — which are considered unhealthy … Read more
Well, this blows. Microplastics — pesky particles that have contaminated our air, water, food and bodies — have been linked to a higher risk of inflammation, hormone disruption, DNA damage, respiratory illnesses and heart problems, among other health issues. A new study suggests that inhaling microplastics can suppress a type of white blood cell in … Read more
This’ll get your blood pumping. Plastic — the same stuff choking the oceans and your takeout containers — may be increasing your chance of having a stroke. In a shocking twist worthy of sci-fi, scientists have found that the arteries of stroke patients are littered with microplastics. Plastic might now be turning up in our … Read more
In February, scientists discovered a spoonful of microplastics lurking in human brains. Previous research detected the tiny particles in our lungs, liver, kidneys and blood — plus in bodily fluids like semen and breast milk. Now a study published in Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety has found that in yet another part of the body, which … Read more
Think twice before grabbing that plastic water bottle — it could be taking a toll on your looks. A leading waste management company in the UK has tapped the latest studies on microplastics to generate shocking images that show how different levels of exposure could impact your appearance. Spoiler alert: It’s not pretty. Studies suggest … Read more
Not to burst your bubble, but your gum might be packed with plastic. A new study found that chewing a single piece releases hundreds — if not thousands — of microplastics into your saliva, which you’re most likely swallowing. That’s a real blow, especially since a growing body of research suggests these tiny particles may … Read more
On the heels of a shocking new study that found our brains contain about a spoonful of microplastics, experts say there are a few ways to limit exposure and consumption of these dangerous specks. Previous research suggested that humans consume a credit card’s worth of plastic every week on average, and the pesky particles — which are less … Read more
Talk about a culture shock. Microplastics — tiny particles that come from large plastic items and industrial waste — can damage cells and disrupt organs, potentially increasing the risk of heart disease, cancer, infertility and other chronic conditions. Researchers from Boston University say there’s another downside to these ubiquitous shards — bacteria exposed to them … Read more
It may be time to find America’s next top bottle. Microplastics are everywhere — in the beauty products we wear, the cleaning supplies we use and even in the food we eat. Research suggests that these particles, smaller than a grain of rice, can harm reproductive, digestive and respiratory health, potentially leading to colon and … Read more
Life is plastic — not fantastic. Three recent studies highlight the dangers of nanoplastics on health. Microplastics are making their way into various parts of humans’ and animals’ bodies, including the testicles, according to a study published last week in Toxicological Sciences. This has dangerous implications for both male sperm quality and fertility. “Microplastics are … Read more
This latest finding may be hard to wrap your head around. Tiny pieces of plastic are finding their way into the brain, according to a paper published in the journal Environment Health Perspectives. Researchers from the University of New Mexico said that microplastics from our water, food and the air we breathe make their way … Read more
Polymer put the kettle on. Boiling water is a fast and effective way to rid your home drinking supply of dreaded microplastics, a new Chinese study claims. The pesky particles have become of increasing concern in recent years — they’re found in a vast majority of our food and water supply, allowing them to be … Read more
Not even plant-based food is safe from microplastic contamination. New research finds that nearly 90% of proteins — yes, even vegan alternatives — tested by researchers contain microplastics, which have been linked to negative health consequences. 16 types of protein sources — including chicken, beef, seafood, pork, tofu and three plant-based alternatives — were analyzed for microplastics … Read more
When it rains, it pours … microplastics, that is. Researchers in Japan have discovered nine kinds of polymers and one rubber floating among the clouds — a worrying sign for the climate. Intrepid teams of scientists climbed Mount Fuji and Mount Oyama to collect water from the foggy mist that veils the mountain tops. Their … Read more