Latest news with #UniversityofToulouse
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Indoor air contains thousands of microplastics small enough to penetrate deep into our lungs, study finds
Thousands of microplastics so small they can penetrate deep into the lungs are in the air you breathe in your home and car, a new study has found. The particles are likely the result of the degradation of plastic-filled objects such as carpet, curtains, furniture and textiles and the plastic parts of car interiors, according to the study published Wednesday in the journal PLOS One. 'People spend an average of 90% of their time indoors, including homes, workplaces, shops, transportation … all the while they are exposed to microplastic pollution through inhalation without even thinking about it,' senior study author Jeroen Sonke and lead author Nadiia Yakovenko said in a joint statement. 'Microplastics in the air, especially indoors, may be an invisible threat we are only beginning to understand.' Sonke is a research director at the National Centre for Scientific Research, which is affliated with France's University of Toulouse. Yakovenko is a postdoctoral researcher of environmental geosciences at the university. 'While research is still ongoing, there is concern that long-term exposure to microplastics and their additives may contribute to respiratory problems, disrupt endocrine function and increase risk for neurodevelopmental disorders, reproductive birth defects, infertility, cardiovascular disease, and cancers,' the two said. The study found adults may inhale some 68,000 microplastic particles of 1 to 10 micrometers per day from indoor air — an estimate that is 100 times more than expected, according to Sonke and his team. In comparison, a red blood cell is 6.2 to 8.2 micrometers, while E. coli bacteria may be 1 to 2 micrometers long. 'This adds to the body of knowledge we have that microplastics are everywhere and getting into humans in every way imaginable,' said microplastics researcher Sherri 'Sam' Mason, director of Project NePTWNE at Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania, via email. She was not involved in the study. (NepTWNE is short for Nano & Polymer Technology for Water and Neural-networks.) Scientists have detected microplastics in human testes and the penis, human blood, lung and liver tissues, urine and feces, mother's milk, and the placenta. A February study found nearly a spoon's worth of microplastics in human brain tissue. A March 2024 study found people with microplastics in their carotid artery tissues were twice as likely to have a heart attack, stroke or die from any cause over the next three years than those who had none. 'The size of these particles are especially concerning as the smaller the particle, the bigger the impact on human health,' said Mason, one of the first scientists to measure microplastics in bottled water. Kimberly Wise White, vice president of regulatory and scientific affairs at the American Chemistry Council, which represents the plastics industry, expressed concerns about the study's methodology. 'This study is based on a very small sample size and acknowledges a contamination rate of 18%, which raises questions about the accuracy of the findings,' White said via email. 'Additional work using validated methods and standardized exposure assumptions is essential before drawing conclusions about potential health impacts.' Cars are a significant source of microplastic pollution To do the study, Sonke and his team took indoor air samples from their apartments and while in their cars driving between cities in France. In the United States, AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety statistics have shown the average American spent about 60 minutes a day inside a car in 2023. Car cabins can be a significant source of microplastic exposure because they are small, enclosed spaces filled with plastic-based materials — dashboards, steering wheels, door handles, seat fabrics, carpets and carpet liners are all made with plastics, Sonke and Yakovenko said. 'These materials can shed tiny plastic particles over time, especially by solar irradiance, friction, heat and daily use,' they said. 'Unlike homes, car cabins often have limited ventilation, allowing microplastic particles to accumulate and concentrate in the air. As a result, they can be inhaled in higher amounts during regular commutes or long drives.' Testing found some 2,238 microplastics particles per cubic meter of air inside the cars — much more than the 528 particles found in a similar amount of air from inside homes. 'We often associate plastic pollution with oceans or industrial areas,' Sonke and Yakovenko said, 'but our findings showed that the everyday indoor environment where we spend most of our time can be a major source of human exposure.' To measure the plastic concentrations, the team used Raman microscopy, a newer and powerful technique that can measure down to about 1 micrometer. This technique is different from those applied in past studies, which have used methods that can only measure larger particles down to 20 micrometers, they said. 'Their analysis is sound,' said Wei Min, a professor of chemistry at Columbia University in New York City who specializes in developing next-generation microscopy techniques. He was not involved in the study. 'They were using a commercial instrument, and the limit of detection is at its best condition (around 1 micrometer),' Min said via email. 'This allows them to capture (1 to 10) micrometer population, which had remained largely undetected in previous studies of in-door air.' However, the study was unable to measure even smaller particles, called nanoplastics, which are measured in nanometers instead of micrometers. It takes 1,000 nanometers to make 1 micrometer — in comparison, an average human hair is roughly 80,000 to 100,000 nanometers in diameter. 'The present study provides important information but also speaks to the need for advancements in the technology to assess even smaller polymer particles, both in the air and in our bodies,' said microplastics researcher Matthew Campen, regents' professor and professor of pharmaceutical sciences at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. Nanoplastics are the most worrisome type of plastic pollution for human health, experts say. That's because the minuscule particles can invade individual cells and tissues in major organs, potentially interrupting cellular processes and depositing endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as bisphenols, phthalates, flame retardants, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, and heavy metals. Ways to cut back on plastic There are many steps individuals can take to reduce their exposure to plastics and their plastic footprint, experts say. In February, CNN spoke to pediatrician Dr. Philip Landrigan, lead author of a March 2023 report from the Minderoo–Monaco Commission on Plastics and Human Health, a global consortium of scientists, health care workers and policy analysts charged with following plastics from creation to final product. In that report, the consortium determined plastics are associated with harms to human health at every single stage of the plastic life cycle. 'I say to people, 'Listen, there are some plastics that you can't escape. You're not going to get a cell phone or a computer that doesn't contain plastic.' But do try to minimize your exposure to the plastic that you can avoid, especially single-use plastics,' said Landrigan, a professor of biology who directs the Program for Global Public Health and the Common Good and the Global Observatory on Planetary Health at Boston College. It's hard to avoid foods wrapped in plastic film because they are so ubiquitous, Landrigan said, but you can take food out of the plastic wrapping before cooking or putting it in the microwave. 'When you heat plastic, that accelerates the movement of the microplastics out of the wrapping into the food,' he said. Invest in a zippered fabric bag and ask the dry cleaner to return your clothes in it instead of those thin sheets of plastic, suggests the Natural Resources Defense Council, an environmental advocacy group. Bring a travel mug to the local coffee store for takeout and silverware to the office to cut back on plastic cups and utensils. 'Don't use plastic bags when you go shopping. Use a cloth bag or a paper bag or a recycle bag,' Landrigan said. 'Try to avoid plastic water bottles, if you can possibly do so.' A January 2024 study found 1 liter of bottled water — the equivalent of two standard-size bottled waters typically purchased by consumers — contained an average of 240,000 plastic particles from seven types of plastics. Some 90% of those were nanoplastics. 'Use a metal or glass drinking cup instead of a plastic cup. Store your food in glass containers instead of in plastic ones,' Landrigan said. 'Work in your local community to ban plastic bags, as many communities around the United States have now done. There is a lot you can do.' Get inspired by a weekly roundup on living well, made simple. Sign up for CNN's Life, But Better newsletter for information and tools designed to improve your well-being. Solve the daily Crossword
Sydney Morning Herald
30-07-2025
- Health
- Sydney Morning Herald
Scientists tested their homes and cars. They were inhaling 68,000 microplastics every day
Researchers who tested their homes and cars for airborne microplastics have reported that levels of the ultra-small pollutants, capable of penetrating deep into our lungs, may be 100 times higher than previously estimated. The study was on a tiny scale, with 16 air samples taken across three apartments and two cars, but it focused on detecting smaller microplastics compared to other experiments, which have typically focused on larger particles. 'We found that over 90 per cent of the microplastic particles in indoor air, across both homes and cars, were smaller than 10 micrometres (µm) – small enough to be inhaled deep into the lungs,' wrote the authors, led by Nadiia Yakovenko from the University of Toulouse in France. 'This was also the first study to measure microplastics in the car cabin environment, and overall, we detected indoor concentrations up to 100 times higher than previous extrapolated estimates – revealing indoor air as a major and previously underestimated exposure route of fine particulate microplastic inhalation.' The researchers estimated in PLOS One there were 528 microplastic particles per cubic metre in their apartments and 2238 per cubic metre in their cars. When they combined their results with previously published data, the authors estimated adults may inhale 3200 larger microplastics, sized between 10 and 300 micrometres, per day. For the microplastics smaller than 10 micrometres, which is about seven times thinner than a hair strand, it was 68,000 particles per day. Smaller microplastics can reach the alveoli, tiny air sacks in the lungs which move oxygen into the blood and remove carbon dioxide. The study's focus on under-studied particles under 10 micrometres is valuable, said environmental health scientist Professor Kevin Thomas, but its conclusions should be taken with caution given the limited sample size and because measuring tiny particles comes with higher uncertainty.
The Age
30-07-2025
- Health
- The Age
Scientists tested their homes and cars. They were inhaling 68,000 microplastics every day
Researchers who tested their homes and cars for airborne microplastics have reported that levels of the ultra-small pollutants, capable of penetrating deep into our lungs, may be 100 times higher than previously estimated. The study was on a tiny scale, with 16 air samples taken across three apartments and two cars, but it focused on detecting smaller microplastics compared to other experiments, which have typically focused on larger particles. 'We found that over 90 per cent of the microplastic particles in indoor air, across both homes and cars, were smaller than 10 micrometres (µm) – small enough to be inhaled deep into the lungs,' wrote the authors, led by Nadiia Yakovenko from the University of Toulouse in France. 'This was also the first study to measure microplastics in the car cabin environment, and overall, we detected indoor concentrations up to 100 times higher than previous extrapolated estimates – revealing indoor air as a major and previously underestimated exposure route of fine particulate microplastic inhalation.' The researchers estimated in PLOS One there were 528 microplastic particles per cubic metre in their apartments and 2238 per cubic metre in their cars. When they combined their results with previously published data, the authors estimated adults may inhale 3200 larger microplastics, sized between 10 and 300 micrometres, per day. For the microplastics smaller than 10 micrometres, which is about seven times thinner than a hair strand, it was 68,000 particles per day. Smaller microplastics can reach the alveoli, tiny air sacks in the lungs which move oxygen into the blood and remove carbon dioxide. The study's focus on under-studied particles under 10 micrometres is valuable, said environmental health scientist Professor Kevin Thomas, but its conclusions should be taken with caution given the limited sample size and because measuring tiny particles comes with higher uncertainty.
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Cannabis Linked to 2x Risk of Heart Disease Death, Scientists Discover
New research suggests that cannabis use is linked to twice the risk of death from cardiovascular disease, and is also associated with increased risk of other major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Cannabis is being legalized in more and more places worldwide, increasing medicinal and recreational use – but it may warrant closer monitoring by health professionals. The researchers here, led by a team from the University of Toulouse in France, wanted to look more closely at potential health risks that had previously been flagged. They looked at 24 previous studies published between 2016 and 2023, involving around 200 million people. Overall, the increased risk linked to cannabis use was 29 percent for acute coronary syndrome (reduced blood flow to the heart), 20 percent for strokes, and 100 percent for cardiovascular disease mortality. "The findings reveal positive associations between cannabis use and MACE," write the researchers in their published paper. "These findings should encourage investigating cannabis use in all patients presenting with serious cardiovascular disorders." There are some limitations worth bearing in mind here. The studies included in the research differed in terms of how they defined cannabis use, relied on self-reporting, and didn't measure use of the drug over time. That makes them less statistically robust. The research also notes a high risk of bias in the majority of studies investigated, due to the way they were structured. And it's important to say the research doesn't show direct cause and effect, only an association. It's possible that other factors not considered here are driving both cannabis use and heart health issues in certain groups of people. Nevertheless, the large number of people surveyed on their real-world use of cannabis counts in the study's favor. It also has more recent data than many other studies, and we know that cannabis use and composition is changing over time. That's enough to warrant deeper investigation into the possible health risks. "Legalizing the drug and expanding its medical use worldwide have likely contributed to profound changes in the general perception of cannabis and to the overall rise in cannabis consumption," write the researchers. "Consequently, users' profiles and consumption habits profoundly differ from those in the 2010s, especially as cannabis products show an increasing trend in potency, with rising concentrations of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)." Further research is absolutely needed here, not least to determine whether the chemicals and compounds in cannabis – of which there are hundreds – could be leading to these health risks, and how taking cannabis in different forms, such as inhalables or edibles, might have an influence. Previous studies have already shown how the drug can increase the risk of cancer, and significantly alter our DNA, for example. Cannabis could also trigger psychosis through the impact it has on the brain. The new study is accompanied by an editorial written by epidemiologists Stanton Glanz and Lynn Silver, from the University of California San Francisco. In it, Glanz and Silver argue that as cannabis use rises, more should be done to educate people about the risks – as has been done with cigarettes. "Specifically, cannabis should be treated like tobacco: not criminalized but discouraged, with protection of bystanders from secondhand exposure," they write. The research has been published in the journal Heart. 5 Daily Habits Could Be Causing Your Liver Serious Harm FDA-Approved Sleeping Pill Slows Alzheimer's Tangles in Pre-Clinical Trial Risk of Sleep Breathing Disorder Set to Rise 45% by End of Century
Business Insider
19-06-2025
- Health
- Business Insider
Gen Z is ditching alcohol, but their weed habit may be risky for their health, too
Gen Z may be cutting back on booze, but could still be facing serious health risks from their new drug of choice. Cannabis use has been steadily growing in recent years, and Gallup polls suggest it's catching on most with Americans aged 18 to 34. At the same time, 20-somethings are spending less time and money than ever in bars and liquor stores (and worrying alcohol industry leaders), in part because of a growing movement of health-consciousness. Sinking alcohol sales in recent years have coincided with a renewed focus on the health risks of drinking, including the link between any amount of alcohol use and cancer. With an outpouring of products like THC-infused seltzers, mocktails, and tinctures that offer a buzz without the hangover, the cannabis industry is capitalizing on dwindling interest in alcohol. These alternatives cater to young people who are sober-curious, drinking less without abstaining completely, or " Cali sober," giving up alcohol while still consuming cannabis. However, emerging research suggests alternatives like cannabis aren't risk-free either Using cannabis may double your risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, according to a large study published June 17 in the journal Heart. Researchers from the University of Toulouse looked at data from 24 studies, including about 200 million people primarily between ages 19 and 59, to see how cannabis use affected health over time. They found that cannabis users had a 29% higher risk of heart attack, and a 20% higher risk of stroke, compared to peers who didn't use. A striking number of these patients who were hospitalized for heart problems are young and did not have a prior history of related medical issues or risk factors, the study's senior author Émilie Jouanjus, associate professor of pharmacology at the University of Toulouse, told CNN. Edibles may not be risk-free, either. Previous research found that ingesting THC, the active ingredient in cannabis linked to the sensation of being high, is linked to cellular dysfunction, which increases risks to heart health, even if you don't smoke it. The findings add to a growing body of research suggesting that although cannabis isn't the outsize threat presented during the "Reefer Madness" era, it has significant health risks, and scientists are urging more caution from consumers. An editorial published alongside the most recent study calls for a closer look at regulation of the emerging cannabis market, including warning labels similar to those on cigarettes. "Regulation is focused on establishing the legal market with woeful neglect of minimizing health risks," the authors wrote. "Specifically, cannabis should be treated like tobacco: not criminalized but discouraged."
