The professor pointed out the lack of evidence of the dangers of microplastics

The intensification of research on the effects of microplastics on the human body has led to an increase in public attention to this topic, but there is no clear evidence of its harm yet. This was announced on November 21 by Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Head of the Department of General Hygiene, Director of the F.F. Institute of Public Health. Oleg Mitrokhin, President of the Sechenov University.

He commented on the results of a study presented in the journal Science Daily, which claimed that the body's constant contact with microplastics can accelerate the development of atherosclerosis, a disease that leads to narrowing of the arteries and an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. However, scientists have recorded a similar effect only in male laboratory mice.

He gave an example of a study by an American scientific group that studied the effect of submicron particles on genetically modified mice prone to atherosclerosis. According to him, the scientists used calibrated plastic microspheres instead of the more common microparticles of sand, cellulose or soot.

"And even in this case, it was not possible to unambiguously associate a significant acceleration of the development of atherosclerotic processes, although some influence could be identified," the expert emphasized.

The professor noted that the very scheme of exposure chosen by the researchers raises doubts. He explained that the recalculation of the experimental dosage shows that a person weighing about 70 kg would have to receive about one gram of microplastics daily. According to the expert, such a volume cannot be collected under normal conditions from food, water, or air.

"Although the work is interesting, it only reveals an additional factor for an organism already prone to diseases. However, the most serious and long—proven risks are smoking, malnutrition, physical inactivity, overweight and stress," Mitrokhin concluded.

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Russian scientist calls experts' conclusions about the health risks of food containers a fiction

Medical worker of the KDC NCC No. 2 of the Federal State Budgetary Budgetary Institution "RNC named after Academician of B.V. Petrovsky" Valeria Zaretskaya told Izvestia on October 15 about the impact of plastic on heart health. According to the expert, chemical compounds hidden in plastic containers and packages can directly affect heart rhythms. She stressed that minimizing contact with plastic should become part of the standard preventive recommendations for patients with cardiovascular diseases and genetically determined channelopathies, as well as for the elderly.

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