Study explores plastic pollution’s impact on heart health

March 7, 2024
Study explores plastic pollution’s impact on heart health

(Photo from Flickr/Oregon State University)

Plastics are ubiquitous materials in our environment, and according to research, fragments of these materials have already permeated key aspects of human life – from food and water to the air we breathe.

Related: New study digs deeper into harmful effects of microplastics consumption 

Microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) are emerging as potential risk factors for cardiovascular disease in preclinical studies. However, direct evidence that this risk extends to humans is lacking, as indicated by a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, funded by the Programmi di Ricerca Scientifica di Rilevante Interesse Nazionale and others.

Related: Plastics found for the first time in human bloodstream

The study, led by researchers including Drs. Raffaele Marfella, Francesco Prattichizzo, Celestino Sardu, Gianluca Fulgenzi, Laura Graciotti, Tatiana Spadoni, Nunzia D’Onofrio, Lucia Scisciola, Rosalba La Grotta, Chiara Frigé, Valeria Pellegrini, Maurizio Municinò, and others, conducted a “prospective, multicenter, observational” study.

This study involved over 200 patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA), a surgery performed to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with known cerebrovascular atherosclerotic disease and asymptomatic carotid artery disease. Carotid arteries are major blood vessels that supply blood to the brain. The excised carotid plaque specimens were analyzed for the presence of MNPs using pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, stable isotope analysis, and electron microscopy. Inflammatory biomarkers were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunohistochemical assay. The primary endpoint was a composite of myocardial infarction, stroke, or death from any cause among patients with evidence of MNPs in plaque compared to patients with plaque showing no evidence of MNPs.

Polyethylene (PE) was detected in the carotid artery plaque of 150 patients (58.4%), with a mean level of 21.7±24.5 μg per mg of plaque, while 31 patients (12.1%) also had measurable amounts of polyvinyl chloride, with a mean level of 5.2±2.4 μg per mg of plaque. Electron microscopy revealed visible, jagged-edged foreign particles among plaque macrophages and scattered in the external debris. Radiographic examination showed that some of these particles included chlorine. Patients in whom MNPs were detected within the atheroma were at a higher risk for a primary endpoint event than those in whom these substances were not detected (hazard ratio, 4.53; 95% confidence interval, 2.00 to 10.27; P<0.001).

The study found that patients with carotid artery plaque containing microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) had an increased risk of experiencing a combination of heart attacks, strokes, or death from any cause during a 34-month follow-up period, compared to patients without detected MNPs.

Source: The New England Journal of Medicine

Tags: , , , , , ,

Category: Education, Features

Comments are closed.

Subscribe to HCA for exclusive updates

Top Viewed News

12 simple steps to a healthy lifestyle

12 simple steps to a healthy lifestyle

Now that the world has returned to normalcy following the pandemic, everyone is back to their daily routines and encounters with stress... Read More

AZBIL: Envisioning the Future of Hospitals

AZBIL: Envisioning the Future of Hospitals

As we strive to be the hospital of choice, why not refine our commitment to excellence beyond the pivotal mission of saving lives?... Read More

Study Unlocks Key Findings on Asian Carriers of Breast Cancer

Study Unlocks Key Findings on Asian Carriers of Breast Cancer

Malaysian researchers at Cancer Research Malaysia (CRMY) and the University of Nottingham Malaysia (UNM) have published... Read More

 Unmasking the Risks of Mercury-Laden Cosmetics

Unmasking the Risks of Mercury-Laden Cosmetics

As the saying goes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and thus subjective; but in some countries, the ideal of beauty begins... Read More

5 key hospital etiquettes to be mindful of when visiting a sick patient

5 key hospital etiquettes to be mindful of when visiting a sick patient

In moments of illness, the presence of loved ones can comfort and support. However, it’s important for visitors... Read More

Free counters!

2025 Exhibitions



2025 Events


8-11 May
Vietnam Medi-Pharm
MITEC, KL
www.vietnammedipharm.vn


21-22 May
HealthTechX Asia
Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Singapore
www.healthtechx-asia.com


5-7 June
Medical Taiwan
Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, Taipei, Taiwan
www.medicaltaiwan.com.tw


9-11 June
APHM International Healthcare Conference & Exhibition
KL Convention Centere, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
www.aphmconferences.com


12-14 June
International Health Industry Expo
China
www.ihe-china.com


24-26 June
CPhI China
SNIEC, Shanghai, China
www.cphi.com


25-26 June
Health Facilities Asia
Singapore
www.www.iqpc.com


25-27 June
Japan Health
INTEX Osaka, Japan
www.japanhealthonline.com


26-27 June
OSH India South
Chennai Trade Center, Bangalore
www.oshindia.com


9-11 July
Medical Device Development (MEDIX) – Osaka
Makuhari Messe, Japan
www.manufacturing-world.jp


14-16 July
Lab Asia
Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), Malaysia
www.lab-asia.com


16-18 July
Medlab Asia | Asia Health
Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre, Kuala Lumpur
www.medlabasia.com


13-15 August
Philippines Medical
SMX Convention Center Manila Philippines
www.philmedical.com


21-23 August
REHACARE China
Suzhou, China
www.rehacare-c.com


21-23 August
Medical Fair China
Suzhou, China
www.medicalfair.cn


3-5 September
Bio Asia Pacific
BITEC, Bangkok
www.bioasiapacific.com


9-12 September
China Dental Show
National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai)
www.chinadentalshow.com


10-11 September
Hospital Management Asia
Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
www.hospitalmanagementasia.com


10-12 September
Medical Fair Thailand
BITEC, Bangkok
www.medicalfair-thailand.com


10-12 September
Malaysia Pharma and Healthcare Expo
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
www.mphcexpo.com


11-13 September
Bio Asia Pacific
BITEC, Bangkok
www.bioasiapacific.com


24-26 September
Medtec China
Shanghai, China
www.en.medtecchina.com


9-11 October
Medical Japan Tokyo
Makuhari Messe, Japan
www.medical-jpn.jp


17-19 October
Health Asia
BITEC, Bangkok
www.health-asia.com


17-19 October
Health Asia
BITEC, Bangkok
www.health-asia.com


7-8 November
Eldercare Exhibition and Conference Asia (ELDEX Asia)
Suntex Singapore Exhibition and Convention Centre
www.eldexasia.com


10-12 November
Saudi International Pharma Expo
Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center
www.saudipharmaexpo.com


10-12 November
Saudi International MedLab Expo
Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center
www.saudimedlabexpo.com


27-29 November
International Wellness Expo (IWE 2025)
METIC, Malaysia
www.internationalwellnessexpo.com


2026 Events


9-12 Febuary
Arab Health
Dubai World Trade Centre
www.arabhealthonline.com


15-17 April
Lab Indonesia
Jakarta Convention Center, Jakarta, Indonesia
www.lab-indo.com


9-11 September
Medical Fair Asia
Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
www.medicalfair-asia.com


9-11 September
Medical Manufacturing Asia
Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
www.medmanufacturing-asia.com