In addition to cvds, microplastics have been linked to a wide range of health issues, including gut dysfunction, responsibility complications, kidney and livelophage, reproductive and development Neurological disorders. Let’s understand what is microplastic and what are the health risks associated with it?

What is microplastic?

Microplastics are tiny particles of less than five millimetres in size. Their pervasive presence in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we consume has been emerged as a serious. Environmental Concern.

Microplastics are broadly classified in primary microplastics – Intentally Produced Microplastics Such as those found in cosmetics – and Secondary Microplastics – Resulting from The Deapposition of Laust. Materials.

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polystyrene (PS), Polypropylene (PP), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), and Polyethylene (PE) are most commonly used plastics/microplastics in Various. Applications Such As Making Plastic Bottles, Disposable Cutlery, Bags, Piping, etc.

These conventional Plastics are non-biodegradable and enjoy in the environment for a long time after their improper disposal. These plastics degrade into small particles through Physical, Chemical, or biological Processes and Persist in the Environment Due to their slow Degradation Rate.

Notably, Plastic Production has been written significantly during the past few decades, with annual output exciting 400 million tons. It is estimated to reach more than 1 billion tons by 2060.

How microplastics affect us

Microplastics are now ubiquitous and have been found even in remote uninhabited area. Its widespread presence exposes all ecosystems – terrestrial as well as aquatic – and Adversly affects plants, animals, and humans. Microplastics also act as carriers of other environmental pollutants such as heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants, and variable toxic additives like plasticisers and stabilisers used during.

The human body is exposed to microplastics through inhalation, ingestion of contaminated food and water, and dermal contact. Drinking Water, And Everyday Food Items Such As Salts, Crop plants, And Fishery Products have been found to container Microplastics.

Once Inside the Body, These Particles Can Accumulate in Various Organs and Enter the Circulatory System, Potentially Causing harmful Health effects. Microplastics have been found in biological fluids and organs such as semen, breast milk, urine, arteries, brain, live, heart, and placenta.

Various in vitro studies on different cell lines and vivo studies on animals (rats, mice, zebrafish) and humans have demonstrated the toxicity of microplastics. It can lead to gut dysfunction, responsive IssuesKidney and Liver Damage, Reproductive and Developmental Problems, Neurological Disorders, And Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDS).

Microplastics and heart

According to the world health organization (WHO), CVDs are one of the most prevalent non-compromunicable diseases, Accounting for about 27 per cent of total deaths in 2016 in 2016 in 2016. And blood vessels and include dissenses such as hypertension, stroke, myocardial infarction (commonly know as heart attacks), and congenital heart disease.

Heart attack, caused by the disruption of blood flow to the heart muscles, is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. These diseases not only caose significant mortality and morbidity but also also result in high out-of-pocket medical expenses, loss of employment, mental health Issues, and financial distress.

Hence, studying the toxicity of microplastics on cardiovascular health is crucial. The detection of microplastics in the human body can help protect Vulnerable Patients (High-Risk Populations), which Will Help Reduce Mortality and Alleviate HealthCare Costs for Both Citizens and Governant.

To date, there are no studies in India on the cardiotoxicity of microplastics in humans. Howver, Recent Studies Conducted Globally Have Indicated A Possible Link Between Microplastics and the Severity of CVDs. Microplastics have shown shown to cause cardiotoxicity, which refers to the heart muscle or its functions, leding to compositions such as abnormal heart rhythms (Arrhythmias). And Structural Damage to Heart Tissue.

Microplastics of varying shapes, sizes, and quantities have been detected in variable cardiac tissues (including the pericardium, epicardial adepose tissue, myocardium, LEFT atrial appendage, and peericard. And in in arteries (Such as the coronary, cerebral, carotid, and aorta). Types of Plastics Identified Include PVC, PET, PE, and PP, the most commonly used Microplastics.

Choked by plastics

Microplastics have also ben associated with adverse biological Effects, including oxidative stress and inflammation, which can contribute to the development of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a condition in which plaque – Composed of Cholesterol, Fatty Substances, and Calcium – Accumulates Inside, and Leads to the Narrowing of the Arterial Walls and Disrupting Blood Flow to The Heart. Muscle.

If the plaque Ruptures, it can lead to the form of Thrombus (Blood Clot), which artery entrely, disrupt blood Flow, and subsently Causs Cardiac Cel injury and Death – A condition commonly. Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction).

Studies have shown that microplastic concentrations are higher in cardiac patients compared to Control groups (non-cardiac patoints). The presence of microplastics in the arteries has been linked to an increasing risk of major advertise clinical outcomes, including death, heart attacks, heart failure, reduced cardiac function, and stroke. During Follow-up Periods. Additionally, the severity of ischemic stroke has been found to be correlated with microplastic concentration.

Limitations of Existing Studies for India

Howver, the lack of Suitable Representative Samples Limits The Generalization of Existing Research Findings to the Indian Population. Most studies are conducted so far have also used small sample sizes. A definitive cause-and-efffect (causal) Relationship between microplastics and cardiovascular diseases has yet to be establishes. Microplastics can merely be bystanders, as confounding variables – Such as exposure to other environmental pollutants and comorbidities like diabetes and other diseases – Can Increase of Cvds of Cvds.

Therefore, Future Studies Need to Focus on Undertanding the cardiotoxicity of microplastics by conducting cohort studies acrosism with varying leveles of exposure to exposure to exposure to exposure. Such studies would be essential to establishing a causal relationship in the Indian context.

In 2022, The United Nations Environment Assembly Passed a Resolution to Form An Intergovernal Negotiating Committee (In) Tasked With Developing a Legally Binding treaty To address plastic pollution. But the consensus has yet to be reached.

Now the upcoming Inc-5.2 meeting Scheduled for August 2025 offers some hope that a global plastic treaty will be agreed upon-one that takes intocount the concerns of stakeholders and advances Global E Menace of plastic pollution.

In the case of India, the government has taken practical steps to Reduce of Plastics, such Management Will Significantly Help Reduce Plastic Pollution. In addition, encouraging the use of environment-free biodegradable bioplastics such as polyhydrooxyalkanoates can help. Moreover, Increasing Public Awareness about the toxic effects of plastics and microplastics is Vital in Reducing their usage and associated health risks.

Post Read Questions

What are microplastics, and what are the health risks associated with it?

What steps is the government take to mitigate plastic pollution and its health effects?

How can the principles of the 3rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) be effectively implemented in India to combat plastic waste?

What is the role of the United Nations Environment Assembly and the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) in addressing global plastic pollution?

How Could a Global Plastic Treaty Contribute to Reducing Microplastic Exposure and Its Health Implications?

(Ghanshyam kumar has worked as a research felow at Aiims Rishikesh and Dr. Bhanu Duggal is Professor and Head of the Department of Cardiology at Aiims Rishikesh.)

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