Microplastics: A Hidden Threat to Ecosystems and Human Health

Recently, researchers made a concerning discovery microplastics have been found in human and canine testes, indicating the deep penetration of plastic pollution into biological systems.
This discovery has raised new alarms about the potential impact of microplastics on human fertility and overall reproductive health.

What are Microplastics?

Microplastics are extremely small fragments of plastic, generally defined as being less than 5 millimetres in size.
They are harmful because their tiny size allows them to enter biological systems easily, from marine organisms to human tissues.
Microplastics are classified into two main categories:
Primary microplastics are intentionally manufactured in small sizes for specific uses, such as in cosmetics (like exfoliating beads), personal care products, and synthetic textiles (from which microfibers shed during washing).
Secondary microplastics are formed through the breakdown of larger plastic items, such as water bottles, packaging materials, and fishing nets, due to sunlight, wave action, and physical abrasion.

In the marine environment, microplastics are often mistaken for food by small fish, shellfish, and zooplankton.
This ingestion leads to physical blockages, internal injuries, and starvation, ultimately affecting the survival of these species.
As these small marine organisms are part of the lower trophic levels, the microplastics get passed up the food chain, reaching larger fish, marine mammals, and eventually humans.
Microplastics are non-biodegradable, meaning they persist in the environment for hundreds of years, disrupting entire ecosystems.

Microplastics have been detected in human blood, lungs, breast milk, placentas, and now even in testicular tissue, showing how widespread they are in our bodies.
When inhaled or ingested, microplastics can cause respiratory irritation, allergies, and inflammation in the lungs.
They may accumulate in the gastrointestinal tract, causing digestive discomfort and other gastrointestinal disorders.
One of the most worrying effects is endocrine disruption, where chemicals in plastics mimic hormones, leading to hormonal imbalances, fertility problems, and developmental issues in foetuses and children.
Long-term exposure is also linked with immune system impairment and possibly even cancer, although research in this area is still ongoing.