Microplastics / nanoplastics
Toxins · Emerging contaminant
Moderate priority
What this is
Marfella 2024 NEJM paper was a landmark — found microplastics in human carotid plaque and associated with 4.5x CV events. Rapid accumulation of tissue detection papers 2023-2026 (now also identified in coronary plaques, thrombi, and brain tissue). Polimeni 2026 Cardiovasc Toxicol review summarizes microplastics as an emerging cardiovascular risk factor with mechanisms including oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, mitochondrial injury, and immune activation. Clinical significance still emerging but biological plausibility growing rapidly. Bottled water often contains more microplastics than filtered tap.
Mechanism
Plastic particles <5 mm (micro) or <1 μm (nano) from fragmentation of larger plastic, tire wear, synthetic clothing, plastic packaging; found in human blood, placenta, testes, arteries, brain (2024 detection papers)
Dose & route
Glass/stainless drinking vessels; cotton/wool over synthetics; filter tap water; avoid microwaving plastic
Citations
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38446676/
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s12012-026-10112-z
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10858991/
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This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.