Tiny bits of plastic found in the ocean may be tied to a higher risk of disability for people who live in coastal areas with high levels, according to a preliminary study. The study looked at disabilities affecting memory and thinking, mobility and a person's ability to take care of oneself.
Tiny bits of plastic found in the ocean may be tied to a higher risk of disability for people who live in coastal areas with high levels, according to a preliminary study. The study looked at disabilities affecting memory and thinking, mobility and a person's ability to take care of oneself.
Tiny bits of plastic found in the ocean may be tied to a higher risk of disability for people who live in coastal areas with high levels, according to a preliminary study released today, February 25, 2025, that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 77th Annual Meeting taking place April 5-9, 2025. The study looked at disabilities affecting memory and thinking, mobility and a person's ability to take care of oneself.Marine microplastics are microscopic pieces of plastic, less than 5 millimeters in length, found in oceans and seas. They come from broken-down plastic trash or products like face scrubs, fishing nets and food wrappers or take-out containers. "The environment can play a crucial role in our health, and factors such as pollution may impact a person's risk of developing cognitive decline and other neurological disabilities," said Sarju Ganatra, MD, of Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington, Massachusetts."Our study found in coastal communities with higher levels of microplastics in the water, there were higher rates of disabilities that can affect a person's life in many ways through thinking and memory, movement and their ability to take care of themselves and live independently."Researchers looked at marine microplastic levels across the counties, sorting them into four groups based on marine microplastic levels in the nearby ocean surface. Counties in the low group had zero to 0.005 microplastic pieces per cubic meter of ocean water, the medium group had 0.005 to one pieces/m³, the high group had between one and 10 pieces/m³ and the very high group had 10 or more pieces/m³. On average, counties with very high levels had more than 1,000 microplastic pieces/m³ of ocean water, while those with low levels had fewer than 10. They then looked at the amount of disability among residents in these categories: memory and thinking, mobility, self-care and independent living. Self-care disabilities include difficulty performing activities such as dressing, bathing or getting around inside the home. Independent living disabilities include difficulty performing tasks such as managing finances, shopping or using transportation. Researchers found in counties with the highest levels of marine microplastics, the average prevalence of thinking and memory disabilities was 15.2% compared to 13.9% in counties with the lowest levels. The average prevalence of mobility disabilities was 14.1% in counties with the hihest levels compared to 12.3% in counties with the lowest levels. The average prevalence of self-care disabilities was 4.2% in counties with the highest levels compared to 3.6% in counties with the lowest levels. The average prevalence of self-care disabilities was 8.5% in counties with the highest levels compared to 7.7% in counties with the lowest levels. After adjusting for factors that could affect the rate of disability such as heart disease, stroke, depression, air pollution and wealth and resource distribution, researchers found that counties with the highest marine microplastic levels showed a 9% higher rate of disability in memory and thinking, a 6% higher disability in mobility, a 16% higher disability in self-care, and an 8% higher disability in independent living when compared to counties with the lowest levels. "These findings provide insights into how marine microplastics might affect brain health," Ganatra said."More research is needed to explore this connection further and examine the overall public health implications of microplastic pollution." Ganatra also noted,"The amount of plastic in different areas can vary due to ocean currents, which can carry and concentrate plastic in certain regions. Other factors, like population density, local waste management, and industrial activities, may also play a role. The reasons are complex and likely involve multiple environmental- and human-related factors working together, but this relationship needs further investigation to be fully understood." A limitation of the study was that it was a snapshot in time. Researchers did not follow coastal residents and marine microplastic levels over time.The heavy metal cadmium, which is found in the air, water, food and soil, is known to cause health problems. A new study has examined if thinking and memory skills were associated with cadmium ... When old food packaging, discarded children's toys and other mismanaged plastic waste break down into microplastics, they become even harder to clean up from oceans and waterways. These tiny ... People who have headaches after experiencing concussions may also be more likely to have higher levels of iron in areas of the brain, which is a sign of injury to brain cells, according to a ... A research review found that clot-busting therapy and mechanical clot removal to treat ischemic stroke in people with a pre-existing disability or dementia was as safe and effective as in adults ...
Cholesterol Vitamin D Intelligence Memory Caregiving Oceanography Environmental Awareness Pollution
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Human brains contain an entire spoonful of microplastics, study findsMicroplastics are everywhere. Now, a new study says the average human brain may contain a spoonful of plastic.
Read more »
Brain tissue may have higher amounts of microplastics than other organs, study findsBrain samples contained 10 times more microplastics than other organs.
Read more »
Microplastics Found in High Concentrations in Human Brains: New StudyA new study reveals alarming levels of microplastics in the human brain, raising concerns about the potential health impacts of plastic pollution.
Read more »
Microplastics Found in High Concentrations in Human Brains, Study RevealsA new study published in Nature has found that human brains contain significantly higher levels of microplastics compared to other organs, with levels increasing by 50% over the past eight years. The study also found that people with dementia had up to 10 times as much plastic in their brains compared to those with healthy brains.
Read more »
Amount of microplastics in people's brains increased by 50% in 8 years, study findsResearchers determined in a recent study that human brains have higher concentrations of microplastics compared to other organs.
Read more »
Microplastics Found in Nearly All Seafood Samples Off US West CoastA new study reveals the widespread presence of microplastics in seafood harvested from the western US coast. Researchers identified these tiny plastic particles in the edible tissue of six different fish species, raising concerns about the potential impact on human health.
Read more »