Micro-plastics found in human blood

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/24/microplastics-found-in-human-blood-for-first-time

Microplastics found in human blood for first time

Microplastic pollution has been detected in human blood for the first time, with scientists finding the tiny particles in almost 80% of the people tested.

The discovery shows the particles can travel around the body and may lodge in organs. The impact on health is as yet unknown. But researchers are concerned as microplastics cause damage to human cells in the laboratory and air pollution particles are already known to enter the body and cause millions of early deaths a year.

Huge amounts of plastic waste are dumped in the environment and microplastics now contaminate the entire planet, from the summit of Mount Everest to the deepest oceans. People were already known to consume the tiny particles via food and water as well as breathing them in, and they have been found in the faeces of babies and adults.

A recent study found that microplastics can latch on to the outer membranes of red blood cells and may limit their ability to transport oxygen

“We also know in general that babies and young children are more vulnerable to chemical and particle exposure,"

Half the samples contained PET plastic, which is commonly used in drinks bottles, while a third contained polystyrene, used for packaging food and other products.

Previous work had shown that microplastics were 10 times higher in the faeces of babies compared with adults and that babies fed with plastic bottles are swallowing millions of microplastic particles a day.

This is why we need initiatives like the Green New Deal. In addition to obvious ways pollution affects humans like with climate change, much more subtle and undetected effects also pose serious dangers to mankind and all of nature.

In the 70s, there was a backlash against plastics due to how it harms the environment; the plastic industry countered by putting the onus on citizens to recycle, and that it's our fault if the environment gets harmed.

Don't get me wrong: plastics are useful. But the overabundance is causing severe problems for the earth and those living in it.

@vivify said
This is why we need initiatives like the Green New Deal. In addition to obvious ways pollution affects humans like with climate change, much more subtle and undetected effects also pose serious dangers to mankind and all of nature.

@sh76 said
Can you please point to the provisions in the Green New Deal that are going to reduce microplastics in the blood stream?

@vivify said
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/24/microplastics-found-in-human-blood-for-first-time

Microplastics found in human blood for first time

Microplastic pollution has been detected in human blood for the first time, with scientists finding the tiny particles in almost 80% of the people tested.

The discovery shows the particles can travel arou ...[text shortened]... hat babies fed with plastic bottles are swallowing millions of microplastic particles a day.

@wildgrass said
I just listened to a radio spot about how many new green initiatives are going to increase the role of plastics in our lives, not decrease it. Computers, car batteries, windmills, solar, all heavily reliant on plastics.

Since plastics come from oil/natural gas, oil companies are currently pivoting to pushing plastics on the world. Lightweight, conformable, adaptable and cheap.

@wildgrass said
I just listened to a radio spot about how many new green initiatives are going to increase the role of plastics in our lives, not decrease it. Computers, car batteries, windmills, solar, all heavily reliant on plastics.

Since plastics come from oil/natural gas, oil companies are currently pivoting to pushing plastics on the world. Lightweight, conformable, adaptable and cheap.

@mott-the-hoople said
And it is stupid to think even if the US were completely green, the rest of the world must go along with it for it to work.

Hell we cant even stop the rest of the world from killing each other.

@vivify said
Doesn't mean don't try. Law enforcement doesn't stop people from killing each, doesn't mean there shouldn't be officers out there trying.

@vivify said
Well that's a bit misleading since virtually every industry has become reliant on plastics.

It's like saying initiatives to increase job growth will increase the role of plastics since nearly all places of employment use them in some capacity.

So to specifically pin an increase in plastic use on clean energy projects disingenuous...unless clean or green energy initiatives use more plastics than any other average business or industry.

@mott-the-hoople said
Trying means destroying quality of life based on the actions of others that have exhibited their willingness to not play by the rules .

Gun laws dont stop guns but you are all for that arent you hypocrite?

@vivify said
I said initiatives "like" the GND, where the aim is to improve the condition of the planet.

So whether they're initiatives for cleaner energy, cleaner rivers, waste reduction, etc., we need more initiatives like that.

@sh76 said
Not getting into its merits for now, the GND is a social and economic change/justice plan with incidental environmental benefits (again, giving it the benefit of the doubt).

I think I get what you meant, but the GND is bad example. That's all I'm saying.

@vivify said
Okay, I shouldn't have brought that up.

New York state banned the use of single-use plastic bags, like plastic grocery bags. More laws like that should be passed.

@vivify said
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/24/microplastics-found-in-human-blood-for-first-time

Microplastics found in human blood for first time

Microplastic pollution has been detected in human blood for the first time, with scientists finding the tiny particles in almost 80% of the people tested.

The discovery shows the particles can travel arou ...[text shortened]... hat babies fed with plastic bottles are swallowing millions of microplastic particles a day.