Scientists Found Microplastics in Every Human Semen Sample They Examined

Victor Tangermann
Tue, June 11, 2024 



A team of researchers has found microplastics in all 40 semen samples they examined from healthy men, highlighting the urgent need to study how these tiny particles could affect human reproduction.

In a paper published in the journal Science of the Total Environment, researchers from a number of Chinese institutions identified eight different polymers in the samples, with polystyrene being the most prevalent.

As The Guardian reports, it's only the latest in a string of studies that have equally found microplastics in semen.

While their effect on reproduction and human health still isn't entirely understood, researchers have also been documenting a global decline in sperm count and other issues plaguing male fertility, linking them to a number of environmental and lifestyle factors.

Other studies have found that microplastics can reduce sperm count in mice and disrupt the human endocrine system.

It's also yet another stark reminder of how ubiquitous microplastics have become in the world. They've been found clogging human arteries, in bottled water, inside clouds, and even in a cave that was sealed off from all humans.

Given the latest research, these tiny pollutants could even have troubling consequences for our ability to reproduce.

"As emerging research increasingly implicates microplastic exposure as a potential factor impacting human health, understanding the extent of human contamination and its relation to reproductive outcomes is imperative," the researchers wrote in their paper.

Studies involving mice "demonstrate a significant decrease in viable sperm count and an uptick in sperm deformities, indicating that microplastic exposure may pose a chronic, cumulative risk to male reproductive health," they added.

A different study published in the journal Toxicological Sciences last month found microplastics in all samples of 47 canine and 23 human testicles.

"At the beginning, I doubted whether microplastics could penetrate the reproductive system," coauthor and University of New Mexico professor Xiaozhong Yu told The Guardian at the time. "When I first received the results for dogs I was surprised. I was even more surprised when I received the results for humans."

Worse yet, the samples dated back to 2016, suggesting that the "impact on the younger generation might be more concerning," given the particles' growing prevalence, Yu added.

As a result, experts are calling for action to reduce the amount of plastic being produced worldwide, much of which will end up polluting the environment and our bodies.

"In particular, there is a need for action to avoid additional permanent damage to the planet and the human body," University of Rome's Luigi Montano, who coauthored a separate study that found microplastics in human semen, told The Guardian.

"If microplastic pollution impacts the critical reproductive process, as evidenced in particular by the decline in seminal quality recorded in recent decades globally, it may prove to be [even worse] for our species in the not too distant future," he added.

More on microplastics: Whoever Figures Out How to Remove Microplastics From the Human Body Is Going to Make a Fortune


New study examines how tiny pollutants float through human lungs: 'Concerns ... have increased over the past decade'

Susan Elizabeth Turek
Wed, June 12, 2024



Researchers have been sounding the alarm about microplastics in human bodies for some time, and a new study examines how these tiny toxic particles travel through our airways.

What's happening?

The analysis, published in the journal Physics of Fluids, simulated how microplastics may move throughout different parts of the human respiratory system, including the trachea and lungs.

"The concerns about microplastics in the atmosphere have increased over the past decade due to the associated risks to public health and the environment," the authors of the study wrote, citing multiple studies in which microplastics have been found in human lungs.

Their computer model found that microplastic accumulation varied depending on inhalation rates and particle size, creating "deposition hotspots" connected to the intensity of airflow. The trachea, which the authors described as having a "comparatively less complicated airway structure," experienced less microplastic accumulation than the lungs.

Why is this important?

While the three major routes of microplastic exposure are food, air, and contact with skin, the "concentration range" via inhalation is the highest, according to the study. Thus, it is crucial to understand how the particles are being dispersed once they enter our bodies.

Researchers haven't made any definitive conclusions about the impacts of microplastics — and the even tinier nanoplastics — on our health, but the particles have been linked to severe health issues that affect our quality of life, including cancer, neurological diseases, and anxiety.

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Without active solutions, the problem of plastic pollution isn't going away on its own, either. Production of the material has grown by leaps and bounds since the 1950s, as detailed by Our World in Data, and much of it ends up as waste polluting our oceans, parks, and communities.

What can be done about the effects of plastic pollution?

The authors believe their work could result in more accurate assessments of the risks of inhaling harmful pollutants. With further research and development, that data could lead to better outcomes for patients.

"Understanding these hotspots is crucial for assessing the health risks of microplastic exposure and improving the design of drug delivery systems," Mohammad S. Islam, one of the study's authors, said in a release by the American Institute of Physics.

Other scientists are focused on the physical problem of plastic pollution. One study found that wax worms may help break down polyethylene, a plastic used in everyday products like food packaging.

Meanwhile, many brands are upgrading their packaging. Among them is Pringles, which rolled out a fully recyclable cardboard tube for its chips, and Sun & Swell, which sells healthy snacks in compostable wrapping.

Supporting brands that offer plastic-free packaging and avoiding single-use plastic products, like grocery bags and water bottles, are some ways individuals can contribute to a healthier, cleaner future.