22/05/2024
New Study Finds Microplastics in Human Testicles
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A recent study published in the journal Toxicological Sciences has revealed that microplastics were present in every human testicle examined, raising significant concerns about the impact on the male reproductive system. The research was conducted by a team at the University of New Mexico, who analyzed 23 human and 47 canine te**es, collected in 2016 from men ages 16 to 88.
The study found almost three times as many in the 23 samples — collected in 2016 from men ages 16 to 88 — as the 47 canine samples. This indicates a significant difference in the accumulation of microplastics between the two species. The human **es had a plastic concentration almost three times higher than that found in the dog te**es: 330 micrograms per gram of tissue compared with 123 micrograms.
"At the beginning, I doubted whether microplastics could pe*****te the reproductive system," said Xiaozhong Yu, a professor at the University of New Mexico Press and one of the authors of the study.
The researchers were also able to identify the different types of plastics present in the samples. Polyethylene (PE), the compound used for plastic bags and bottles, was dominant in both dogs and human te**es. The presence of these microplastics in the organs raises concerns about their potential impact on the human reproductive system, though the full extent of their health effects is not yet known.
The study also found a significant inter-individual variability in the levels of microplastics across the samples. This suggests that while microplastics are widespread, the exposure levels can vary greatly between individuals.
This study adds to the growing body of research on the pervasiveness of microplastics in the environment and their potential impact on human health. Previous studies have found microplastics in human placentas, ancient rocks, clogged arteries, blue whales, baby p**p, the wilderness of Antarctica, near the peak of Mount Everest, and the bottom of the ocean. The presence of microplastics in human te**es underscores the urgent need for further research into the health effects of these particles and their potential impact on the reproductive system.
By Daniel Webster