On a cheery note From Popular Science: "After obtaining 23 postmortem human testes and 47 pet dog testes from veterinary neuterings, researchers used a process called pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS), heating samples to the point of decomposition. What remained was then separated and examined for the presence of microplastics using highly sensitive equipment." "The results were extremely troubling. All of the surveyed testes—canine and human—contained measurable amounts of microplastic material. Although researchers noted “significant inter-individual variability” across their sources, the human testicles averaged almost three times higher plastic concentration levels than the dogs—330 micrograms-per-gram versus 123 micrograms-per-gram. They also identified 12 separate varieties of microplastics in the testicles, with polyethylene (used to make plastic bottles and bags) being the most common." "Researchers say these new findings may further support a current theory that microplastics are contributing to the global decline in overall sperm counts. PVC, for example, was also detected in the testes, and has been linked to spermatogenesis interference and endocrine issues. While the full extent of microplastics’ health effects aren’t known yet, evidence strongly indicates the particles can raise the risk of heart attacks and strokes, among other complications like tissue inflammation." Every human testicle contained microplastics in a new study
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2309822 METHODS We conducted a prospective, multicenter, observational study involving patients who were undergoing carotid endarterectomy for asymptomatic carotid artery disease. RESULTS A total of 304 patients were enrolled in the study, and 257 completed a mean (±SD) follow-up of 33.7±6.9 months. Polyethylene was detected in carotid artery plaque of 150 patients (58.4%), with a mean level of 21.7±24.5 μg per milligram of plaque; 31 patients (12.1%) also had measurable amounts of polyvinyl chloride, with a mean level of 5.2±2.4 μg per milligram 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 higher risk for a primary end-point 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). CONCLUSIONS In this study, patients with carotid artery plaque in which MNPs were detected had a higher risk of a composite of myocardial infarction, stroke, or death from any cause at 34 months of follow-up than those in whom MNPs were not detected.
Man this board has gotten soft. I remember when this group would have this thing at 30 pages of memes and puns. Must be all the stuffy libs.
They tested every human testicle? I would say that is awful impressive, but also would wonder when we crossed paths.
I quit smoking. I quit drinking. If only I had stopped eating plastic. However, I haven't been tested. Does the test tickle?
