Pollution From Plastic is Contaminating More Than the Environment: How It Affects Your Body

We all know how harmful plastic is to the environment. Pollution from plastic takes ages to break down. It contains chemicals that leak into the atmosphere, threaten plants and wildlife, and contribute to global warming.  

A new study reveals that plastics may be harmful in another way. Microscopic plastic particles may infiltrate tissues clogging arteries and causing heart-related health risks. Read on to learn more about how plastics contaminate more than the environment.  

About the Recent Study 

In the past, researchers have studied how microplastics can affect the human body based on animal studies. A recent study makes a more direct connection.   

Raffaele Marfella, a medical researcher at the University of Campania in Naples, led a team to conduct a small study. Research reveals microplastic shards found in patients recovering from carotid endarterectomy, a surgery that opens clogged arteries and reduces stroke risk.  

The team followed 257 patients for 34 months and found that nearly 60% had considerable polyethylene levels in the plague removed from their arteries. 12% also had polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in extracted fat deposits, a type of plastic used to make water pipes, baggies, and other plastic products.  

Internal plastics are linked to considerable health risks. They can cause inflammation and oxidative stress that can lead to various heart conditions. Other studies show a link between cardiovascular disease and plastic pollution exposure.  

The study revealed that patients with microplastics in their removed fats were twice as likely to experience stroke, heart attack, and death after 34 months as compared to those who had no detectable microplastics in their systems.  

Plastic Pollution Issues 

Plastic production is on the rise and only a fraction is recycled. It can lead to significant environmental damage which becomes even more prominent when combined with other contaminants. For example, PFAs also pose a risk.  

PFAs are similar to plastics because they can harm the body and the environment. They are found in food, home goods, drinking water, and clothing. They don’t break up easily and are difficult to contain. They contaminate the atmosphere and pose various health risks.  

What Can Be Done? 

So how can we control pollution? The solution is to target it at its root.  

Cut back on plastics by saying goodbye to one-use water bottles, using reusable bags, skipping the straw, avoiding prepacked foods, and recycling everything. You can reduce PFAs by writing to local lawmakers and urging them to pass bills that restrict the use of these chemicals.  

You can also cut back on PFAs in your home by avoiding clothing with water and stain-resistant properties, grease-resistant cooking items, and home goods that may contain these chemicals. For example, traditional toilet paper is a primary source of PFAs. You can reduce PFAs by using bamboo toilet paper instead.  

Bamboo toilet paper is a chemical-free solution. Bamboo is a regenerative crop that does not rely on excessive natural resources. It breaks down in nature, so it does not contribute to pollution.  

RB Life Brands helps fight pollution by making bamboo toilet paper more accessible. We offer a low-cost subscription service that delivers bamboo toilet paper straight to your home. Take advantage of first-time purchase and sign-up discounts.  

Sign up today and take part in a convenient way to save the environment.