Higher ocean microplasty associated with more diabetes, stroke and heart disease

In the last article published in Scientists analyzed whether higher levels of sea microplastics in ocean water near the American coast are associated with the greater occurrence of stroke, coronary artery disease or type 2 diabetes.

After adapting local gaps and demographic factors, coastal poviats with a very high level of microplasty had a much higher incidence of all three conditions than those of low levels.

Background

Plastics have become deeply embedded in modern life due to their price accessibility and versatility; However, their widespread use also led to serious environmental pollution. Plastic waste waste often breaks down into small molecules called microplastics and nanoplasts through the weathering and degradation process.

While the impact on the environment of plastic pollution are well documented, its direct impact on human health is still being studied. Fears have increased by health threats related to chemicals in plastic, such as phthalates and bisphenol, which is known to disturb the function of a hormone and cause other health problems.

It has been recently demonstrated that micro- and nanoplastics have caused cell damage by induction inflammationOxidative stress and even cell death. Early studies suggest that the high level of these small plastic particles can lead to changes in blood vessels and heart, including damage to the lining of blood vessels, reduced heart function and abnormal blood flow, which may contribute to heart disease and related conditions.

In addition, microplastics were found in arterial boards, which increases the risk of cardiovascular problems. However, it remains vague how these discoveries affect all populations.

About the study

This study was designed to fill an important research gap by assessing the relationship between ocean microplastic pollution near the American coasts and local indicators of the main cardiometabolic diseases.

To examine this link, scientists used data with ocean microplastic concentration covering the years 2015–2020. They returned to them microplastic levels at a distance of 200 nautical miles from the US shoreline, adapting to the definitions of the exclusive UN economic zones in which coastal nations manage ocean resources.

They identified 152 American poviats bordering these coastal waters and calculated the average microplastic levels for each of these areas. The poviats were then grouped into four categories: low, medium, high or very high microplastic levels and were associated with estimates at the level of stroke, coronary artery disease and type 2 diabetes in 2019–2020.

To take into account other factors affecting health, they included demographic details such as gender and age, availability of doctors and wider social, environmental and infrastructure gaps, using tools such as climate susceptibility indicator (CVI).

Statistical analysis included quasi-poisson regression, which is adapted to data on excessive dispersion and informal distributions. The weight of the population was used to ensure that poviats with a larger population had adequate influence.

Key arrangements

Poviats bordering oceanic water with very high microplastic concentrations had much higher medium stroke indicators, coronary artery disease and type 2 diabetes compared to low -level poviats.

In particular, the average incidence of diabetes was about 13% in areas with a very high microplastic level, compared to 11.2% in low levels. Similarly, stroke and coronary artery diseases were also more common when microplastic pollution was the greatest.

Statistical models have confirmed this trend even after adapting key factors, such as gender, age, ethnic and racial composition, access to healthcare as well as environmental and socio -economic gaps. In fully corrected models, very high microplastic levels were associated with a higher incidence of diabetes and arterial disease from 5% to 6% and about 4% increase in stroke compared to low level areas (with discovery of stroke in the margins of statistical significance).

Regional patterns also appeared. The incidence of all three diseases was the highest in the poviats along the Mexican Bay, while the highest microplastic concentrations were measured off the coast of the Atlantic, both unlike the Pacific coast, which had lower disease indicators and microplastic levels.

Conclusions

This ecological examination provides evidence at the population level that higher microplastic marine pollution may be associated with a greater burden on cardiometabolic diseases in coastal regions in the USA.

The proposed paths include pollution of seafood and groundwater, which provide about 35% of drinking water in the US, as well as possible inhalation or contact of the skin near the contaminated edges. Experimental studies and animal models confirm the credibility of microplastics causing vascular damage, inflammation and metabolic disruption.

However, there are restrictions: the analysis is ecological and cross-sectional, so you cannot confirm individual cause and effect relationships. There was also no direct measurement of human microplastic exposure or a detailed analysis of various types of plastics. Population movement, other disturbing factors and differences in local pollution controls could affect the results.

Despite these gaps in the study, he emphasizes the risk of environmental health and emphasizes the need for further research to determine the bright exposure thresholds and explanation of the biological mechanisms under their foundations. Decision -makers should consider stronger regulations regarding the reduction of plastic pollution and community protection that are based on seafood and coastal waters.