New research presented at the ACC.25 reveals a worrying association between microplastic pollution and chronic diseases. This pivotal study highlights the urgent need to address microplastic exposure for better cardiovascular health.
Tiny fragments of plastic, known as microplastics, are now being linked to the prevalence of chronic noncommunicable diseases, according to new research being presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session (ACC.25). This revelation highlights a new environmental health threat that could have widespread implications.
“This study provides initial evidence that microplastics exposure has an impact on cardiovascular health, especially chronic, noncommunicable conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes and stroke,” lead author Sai Rahul Ponnana, a research data scientist at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine in Ohio, said in a news release. “When we included 154 different socioeconomic and environmental features in our analysis, we didn’t expect microplastics to rank in the top 10 for predicting chronic noncommunicable disease prevalence.”
The Ubiquity of Microplastics
Microplastics, defined as plastic fragments measuring between 1 nanometer and 5 millimeters, arise from various sources, including food and beverage packaging and consumer products. Infamously pervasive, these minuscule pollutants can be consumed or inhaled, infiltrating water, food and air.
The researchers explored the correlation between microplastic concentrations found in bodies of water and the incidence of chronic diseases within communities across the U.S. coastal and lakeshore regions from 2015 to 2019.
A Significant Health Risk
In an exhaustive analysis encompassing 555 U.S. census tracts, the researchers juxtaposed data on microplastic concentrations with health condition rates fetched from the CDC.
Diagnoses of high blood pressure, diabetes and stroke showed a positive correlation with microplastic pollution, revealing an alarming dose-response relationship — higher pollution levels were linked to a higher prevalence of these conditions.
However, the researchers cautioned that “evidence of an association does not necessarily mean that microplastics are causing these health problems.” Further research is needed to determine whether microplastics cause these health issues directly or if they merely coexist with other harmful factors, they noted.
A Pressing Need for Mitigation
While completely avoiding microplastics exposure is largely impractical given their prevalence, minimizing plastic production and ensuring proper disposal practices are pivotal steps toward reducing exposure.
“The environment plays a very important role in our health, especially cardiovascular health. As a result, taking care of our environment means taking care of ourselves,” added Ponnana.
Future Research Directions
Further studies need to determine the specific exposure levels or time frames required for microplastics to significantly impact health — assuming a causal link exists.
Additionally, another study slated for presentation at ACC.25 by a separate research group corroborates these findings. Eesha Nachnani from the University School of Nashville will present evidence suggesting a strong correlation between microplastics in arterial plaques and adverse cardiovascular events, further insinuating microplastics’ role in serious heart issues.
The ACC.25 will convene from March 29 to 31, in Chicago, attracting global cardiovascular experts to share the latest advancements in treatment and prevention.
Source: American College of Cardiology