Microplastic pollution has been a growing environmental problem in the past several decades. However, scientific research since the 21st century has shown that not only plastic and its smaller particles, called microplastic or nanoplastic, affect the environment but also potentially living organisms. Yet, data concerning the impact of microplastics on our bodies is still limited until now.
In the past, microplastics were found in the heart, brain, and breast of humans. Now, a new study shows that the tiny plastic particles were found in an unexpected part of the body: testicles. According to researchers from the University of New Mexico, who were involved in the study, the presence of testicular microplastic was found not only on male humans but also dogs.
Testicular Microplastic Discovery
(Photo : Photo by julien Tromeur on Unsplash)
Findings about the testicular microplastic discovery on humans and dogs were published in the journal Toxicological Sciences on May 15. Under the research paper, a scientific team from the University of New Mexico in the United States arrived at their conclusion by analyzing postmortem tissue of 23 human testes, as well as 46 canine tissue samples.
While our understanding of how microplastics impact the human body remains limited, previous research has shown that the particles can cause toxic effects on us, including reproductive and developmental toxicity. Meanwhile, large plastic debris that ends up in the environment has been proven to be detrimental to animals, including marine life in the world's oceans.
Also Read: Plastic's Polar Reach: Antarctic Birds Consume Microplastic Particles
Microplastic Pollution Problem
Microplastic pollution, as mentioned earlier, has significantly made its presence across Earth's biosphere, including terrestrial habitats, the oceans, and even the atmosphere. Experts say that the ingestion of microplastics remains a concern for humans since the chemicals that enter our bodies cannot be excreted, as cited by the non-profit organization Ocean Conservancy.
Based on other scientific literature, microplastics can be ingested or inhaled by humans from the air, the food that we eat, and beverages that we drink, according to scientists as cited by the organization. The main problem comes from the fact that plastics cannot be fully destroyed, its fragmented, smaller particles still exist and they can spread quickly without us noticing immediately.
Microplastic Health Impact
The microplastic pollution threat remains a mystery, especially when it comes to its potential adverse effects on the bodies of animals, including humans. Yet, scientists in recent years have offered a clue as to how dangerous these extremely small plastic particles are. Scientific experimentations show that microplastics can cause some of the following toxic effects once inside the body:
- Oxidative stress
- Metabolic disorder
- Immune response defect
- Neurotoxicity
- Reproductive toxicity
- Developmental toxicity
This potential microplastic health impact was hypothesized researchers in China through a separate study published in the journal Environment & Health under ACS Publications in 2023. Based on their findings, the authors emphasize that exposure of humans to microplastics can result in DNA damage and organ dysfunction. Unlike diseases, symptoms of microplastic intoxication are harder to detect.
Related Article: Microplastic Pollution: These Tiny Particles of Whole Plastics Confirmed for the First to Threaten Human Health [Study]