Microplastics are tiny particles that can be ingested or inhaled by people. They accumulate in blood vessels for the first time due to clogged arteries leading into the heart.
New research has linked microplastics to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and death.
Plastic pollution is a growing concern
Plastic pollution is a growing concern, and new research has linked microplastics to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and death. Microplastics are tiny particles that can be ingested or inhaled by people. They accumulate in blood vessels for the first time due to clogged arteries leading into the heart.
It is not clear if the study was conducted on a large enough sample size to accurately determine the link between microplastics and heart attack, stroke, and death.
Researchers in Naples examined fatty plaques removed from patients with arterial disease and found that more than half had deposits contaminated with tiny particles of polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
Those who had plastic particles in their plaques were 4.5 times more likely to suffer a stroke, heart attack or death from any cause over the following 34 months
The study found that people with microplastics or nanoplastics in their carotid artery tissues were twice as likely to have a heart attack, stroke or die from any cause over the next three years than people who had none.
People with microplastics and nanoplastics in plaque lining a major blood vessel in their neck may have a higher risk of heart attack, stroke or death
`Microplastics` are defined as particles smaller than 5 millimeters, and ananoplastics✿are smaller - so tiny that they can be seen only with specialized microscopes
Accuracy
Doctors have found a substantially raised risk of stroke, heart attack and earlier death in people whose blood vessels were contaminated with microscopic plastics
`Those whose plaques contained microplastics or nanoplastics were nearly five times more likely to suffer a stroke, heart attack or death from any cause over the following 34 months`
The study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine and analyzed fatty plaques removed from 304 patients with atherosclerosis affecting the carotid arteries
✛Those who had plastic particles in their plaques were 4.5 times more likely to have a stroke or heart attack, or to die from any cause than those whose plaques were free from plastic pollution.✞
Deception
(40%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that microscopic plastics could raise the risk of stroke and heart attack when there is no evidence to support this claim. The study only found a correlation between plastic pollution and an increased risk of stroke, heart attack or death from any cause over the following 34 months in people whose blood vessels were contaminated with microscopic plastics.
The author claims that microscopic plastics could raise the risk of stroke and heart attack when there is no evidence to support this claim. The study only found a correlation between plastic pollution and an increased risk of stroke, heart attack or death from any cause over the following 34 months in people whose blood vessels were contaminated with microscopic plastics.
The author states that those who are more exposed to the pollution may be at greater risk for other reasons but research on animals and human cells suggests the particles may be to blame. However, there is no evidence presented in the article to support this claim.
Fallacies
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Bias
(80%)
The article discusses a study that found a link between microscopic plastics and an increased risk of stroke, heart attack, and earlier death in people with arterial disease. The author uses language that implies the study has significant implications for cardiovascular health. However, it is important to note that this is just one study and more research needs to be done before any definitive conclusions can be made.
Doctors have warned of potentially life-threatening effects from plastic pollution after finding a substantially raised risk of stroke, heart attack and earlier death in people whose blood vessels were contaminated with microscopic plastics.
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The article discusses the potential link between plastic pollution and cardiovascular health. The study found that patients with plastics in their fatty deposits were more likely to have a stroke or heart attack than those without. However, it is not clear if this was due to inflammation caused by the particles themselves or other factors.
“It is conceivable that microplastics and nanoplastics,
and
the
toxins hey
carry,
might
trigger events leading to the development of atherosclerosis.”
The only defence we have available today is prevention by reducing plastic production.
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The article discusses a study that found microscopic plastics in fatty deposits removed from patients with atherosclerosis affecting the carotid arteries. The study suggests that plastic pollution may be involved in damaging people's blood vessels by driving inflammation, which could increase the risk of stroke and heart attack.
“It is conceivable that microplastics and nanoplastics,
and
the
toxins hey
carry,
might
trigger events leading to the development of atherosclerosis.”
The only defence we have available today is prevention by reducing plastic production.
The study found that people with microplastics or nanoplastics in their carotid artery tissues were twice as likely to have a heart attack, stroke or die from any cause over the next three years than people who had none.
Carotid arteries can become clogged with fatty cholesterol plaques in a similar fashion as the arteries leading into the heart, which is known as atherosclerosis.
Those whose plaques contained microplastics or nanoplastics were nearly five times more likely to suffer a stroke, heart attack or death from any cause over the following 34 months
Accuracy
Doctors have found a substantially raised risk of stroke, heart attack and earlier death in people whose blood vessels were contaminated with microscopic plastics
People who had plastic particles in their plaques were 4.5 times more likely to suffer a stroke or heart attack, or to die from any cause than those whose plaques were free from plastic pollution.
Those who had detectable levels of plastics had nearly a five times greater risk of cardiovascular events than the other patients
Deception
(80%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the title of the article suggests that nanoplastics are directly linked to heart attacks and strokes when there is no evidence presented in the body of the article to support this claim. Secondly, throughout the body of the article, author Sandee LaMotte repeatedly states that microplastics and nanoplastics have been found in plaque tissue but does not provide any context or explanation for what these particles are or how they got there. This is misleading because it implies that these particles are harmful to human health when there is no evidence presented to support this claim. Thirdly, the article quotes Dr. Philip Landrigan stating that microplastics may be associated with cardiovascular disease outcomes in humans but does not provide any context or explanation for what he means by this statement. This is misleading because it implies that nanoplastics are a direct cause of heart attacks and strokes when there is no evidence presented to support this claim.
Throughout the body of the article, author Sandee LaMotte repeatedly states that microplastics and nanoplastics have been found in plaque tissue but does not provide any context or explanation for what these particles are or how they got there.
The article quotes Dr. Philip Landrigan stating that microplastics may be associated with cardiovascular disease outcomes in humans but does not provide any context or explanation for what he means by this statement.
The title of the article suggests that nanoplastics are directly linked to heart attacks and strokes but there is no evidence presented in the body of the article to support this claim.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several examples of informal fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing a study without providing any context or analysis of the research methods used. Additionally, the author makes use of inflammatory rhetoric when describing the potential health risks associated with nanoplastics.
The article contains several examples of informal fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing a study without providing any context or analysis of the research methods used. Additionally, the author makes use of inflammatory rhetoric when describing the potential health risks associated with nanoplastics.
Inflammatory Rhetoric: The article contains several examples of inflammatory rhetoric when describing the potential health risks associated with nanoplastics.
People with microplastics and nanoplastics in plaque lining a major blood vessel in their neck may have a higher risk of heart attack, stroke or death
<0.5mm particles found in fatty deposits called plaques that form on the lining of blood vessels
Accuracy
Doctors found plastic particles - mostly nanoparticles - in the plaque of 150 out of 257 patients at follow-up, nonfatal heart attack, nonfatal stroke or death from any cause occurred in 20% of those patients and in 7.5% of the patients without detectable plastic particles
Those who had plastic particles in their plaques were nearly five times more likely to suffer a stroke, heart attack or death from any cause over the following 34 months
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that microplastics and nanoplastics have been found in human arteries for the first time. However, previous studies have already shown their presence in human tissue such as breast milk and urine. Secondly, while the study finds a correlation between plastic particles and cardiovascular disease risk, it does not establish causation. The authors also note that future randomized controlled trials would be necessary to confirm this relationship. Lastly, the article fails to disclose any sources for its information.
The author claims that microplastics and nanoplastics have been found in human arteries for the first time.
Fallacies
(80%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Bias
(85%)
The author of the article has a clear bias towards linking microplastics and nanoplastics to cardiovascular disease. The language used in the article is sensationalist and alarmist, with phrases such as 'people may have a higher risk of heart attack, stroke or death' being used to create fear in readers. Additionally, the author uses quotes from experts that support their own bias without providing any counter-arguments or alternative perspectives.
Dr. Raffaele Marfella said that he and his colleagues initiated the study to look for new risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
The findings suggest that people with microplastics and nanoplastics in plaque lining a major blood vessel may have a higher risk of heart attack, stroke or death
The Italian researchers measured markers for inflammation in patients and found that those markers increased as the level of plastics in the plaque rose.
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
Barbara Mantel has a conflict of interest on the topic of microplastics and cardiovascular disease as she is affiliated with both University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli's department of advanced medical and surgical sciences in Naples, Italy and Utrecht University's Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences. She also has a professional affiliation with Dick Vethaak who is the coordinator of the Dutch Microplastics and Human Health Consortium.
Barbara Mantel is an affiliate of both University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli's department of advanced medical and surgical sciences in Naples, Italy and Utrecht University's Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences. She also has a professional affiliation with Dick Vethaak who is the coordinator of the Dutch Microplastics and Human Health Consortium.
Barbara Mantel reports on microplastics being found in people's arteries, which was tied to a higher risk of heart disease. She also mentions that this study was conducted by researchers at University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli.
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
Barbara Mantel has a conflict of interest on the topics of microplastics and nanoplastics as she is reporting on research conducted by her colleague Dick Vethaak at Utrecht University's Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences. She also reports on Dr. Raffaele Marfella, who may have a financial stake in the study or industry related to microplastics and nanoplastics.
Microplastics shed from plastics can be ingested or inhaled by people.
<60% of participants had microplastics or even smaller nanoplastics in a main artery1
Those who did were 4.5 times more likely to experience a heart attack, stroke, death.
Microplastics accumulate in organisms due to cells responsible for removing waste products being unable to degrade them.
On average, participants who had more microplastics in their plaque samples also had higher levels of biomarkers for inflammation.
Accuracy
`Doctors have found a substantially raised risk of stroke, heart attack and earlier death in people whose blood vessels were contaminated with microscopic plastics`
Researchers in Naples examined fatty plaques removed from patients with arterial disease and found that more than half had deposits contaminated with tiny particles of polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
<Those whose plaques contained microplastics or nanoplastics were nearly five times more likely to suffer a stroke, heart attack or death from any cause over the following 34 months`
The study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine and analyzed fatty plaques removed from 304 patients with atherosclerosis affecting the carotid arteries.
lThose who had plastic particles in their plaques were twice as likely to have a heart attack, stroke or die from any cause over the next three years than people who had none.l
People with microplastics and nanoplastics in plaque lining a major blood vessel in their neck may have a higher risk of heart attack, stroke or death.
<The types of plastic found are commonly used in everyday life: polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride.l
Microplastics correlated with levels of inflammatory markers in blood vessels, which may increase inflammation.
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it states that microplastics have been found in the blood and organs such as the lungs and placenta of humans. However, this statement implies that these particles are harmful to human health when there is no evidence presented to support this claim. Secondly, while the study does show a link between microplastics and heart attacks, strokes or death in people who have undergone surgery for stroke risk reduction, it does not prove causation. The authors themselves caution that other factors such as socio-economic status could be driving ill health rather than the plastics themselves. Lastly, the article uses sensationalist language and emotional manipulation by stating that this is a 'landmark trial' and implying that microplastics are harmful to human health without providing evidence.
The statement
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing a study without providing any context or information about the researchers involved in the study. Additionally, there is no evidence presented that supports the claim that microplastics are harmful to human health beyond their accumulation in organs and blood samples.
The author uses an appeal to authority by citing a study without providing any context or information about the researchers involved in the study. For example, when discussing the landmark trial of people undergoing surgery who had microplastics found in their arteries, there is no mention of who conducted this research.
There is no evidence presented that supports the claim that microplastics are harmful to human health beyond their accumulation in organs and blood samples. For example, when discussing the potential negative effects of microplastics on cardiovascular health, it is stated that 'other factors such as socio-economic status could be driving ill health rather than the plastics themselves', but there is no evidence presented to support this claim.
Bias
(85%)
The article presents a study that found a link between microplastics and human health. The study showed that nearly 60% of people undergoing surgery had microplastics or even smaller nanoplastics in their main artery, which was associated with an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, or death. However, the article also mentions other factors such as socio-economic status and smoking that could be driving ill health rather than the plastics themselves. The author cautions that this study does not show a causal relationship between microplastics and poor health.
Nearly 60% of people undergoing surgery had microplastics or even smaller nanoplastics in their main artery
Those who did were 4.5 times more likely to experience a heart attack, a stroke or death in the approximately 34 months after the surgery than were those whose arteries were plastic-free.
Researchers have detected microplastics inside fatty plaques that accumulate in blood vessels for the first time.
People who had plastic pieces in their plaques experienced a 4.5-fold greater risk of major complications including heart attacks, strokes, or death compared to those with plastic-free plaques.
The types of plastic found are commonly used in everyday life: polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(80%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the title implies that microplastics found in blood vessels are directly linked to heart problems when the study only finds a correlation between them. Secondly, the author quotes experts who say there isn't enough research on how much microplastics affect people's health but then proceeds to quote studies that have already shown harmful effects of microplastics on mice and in different parts of human bodies like the placenta, liver, and lungs. This contradicts their statement about lack of research. Lastly, the article uses sensationalist language such as 'greater risk' when describing the correlation between microplastics and cardiovascular complications which can be misleading.
The title implies that microplastics found in blood vessels are directly linked to heart problems when the study only finds a correlation between them. For example, it says 'Researchers say they have for the first time detected these plastic pieces inside fatty plaques that accumulate in blood vessels and linked them to an increased rate of heart problems.'
The author quotes experts who say there isn't enough research on how much microplastics affect people's health but then proceeds to quote studies that have already shown harmful effects of microplastics on mice and in different parts of human bodies like the placenta, liver, and lungs. For example, it says 'Studies so far have found microplastics to be harmful in mice and have also detected them in different parts of the human body — like the placenta, liver, and lungs — but there has been less research showing how much microplastics actually affect people’s health.'
The article uses sensationalist language such as 'greater risk' when describing the correlation between microplastics and cardiovascular complications which can be misleading. For example, it says 'Specifically, over about a three-year period, 30 out of 150 — or 20% — of patients who had plastic detected in their plaques experienced a complication, compared with eight out of 107 — or 7.5% — of patients who didn have plastic identified.'
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine without providing any context or information about the credibility of the journal or its authors. Additionally, there is no evidence presented that supports a causal relationship between microplastics and heart problems.
The author uses an appeal to authority by citing a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine without providing any context or information about the credibility of the journal or its authors.
Bias
(80%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
Elaine Chen has a conflict of interest on the topic of microplastics as she is reporting for Stat News which is owned by The Boston Globe Media Partners. This company also owns and operates several other news outlets including STAT News, BostonGlobe.com and Globe Newspaper Company.
Elaine Chen reports on the topic of microplastics in blood vessels for Stat News which is owned by The Boston Globe Media Partners.
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
Elaine Chen has a conflict of interest on the topic of microplastics as she is reporting for Stat News which is owned by The Boston Globe Media Partners. Additionally, Elaine Chen may have financial ties to companies that produce or use polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride.
Elaine Chen reports on the study published in JAMA Network Open which found microplastics in blood vessels linked to greater risk of heart problems. However, she does not disclose her affiliation with Stat News.
