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We all know junk food is bad – but a new study shows just how toxic it really is.Recent articles have converged to paint a horrifying picture of Americans’ increasingly ultra-processed diets and likely brain damage from the microplastics that saturate many foods, especially “fast food” from take-out restaurants. The US leads the world in junk food consumption, and microplastics may account for rising rates of obesity, depression, anxiety, and dementia. These findings are reinforced by the May 22 MAHA Commission Report, which identifies food toxins as a prominent contributor to the alarming spike in disease in US children.Plastic Toxins...

If you own a pair of white shoes or have ever tried to remove crayon from a wall, you're probably thankful for melamine sponges. These products practically erase tough stains and scuffs through their unique abrasiveness and without additional cleaning products. But these "magic" sponges shed microplastic fibers when worn down. Researchers publishing in the journal Environmental Science & Technology report that, worldwide, melamine sponges could release over a trillion microplastic fibers every month. Melamine foam is made of poly(melamine-formaldehyde) polymer—a network of hard, plastic strands assembled into a soft, lightweight foam that's surprisingly abrasive, making it the perfect material...

Above: The tiny, spherical robots (shown in light yellow) collect bacteria (green) and small pieces of plastic (gray) from within water while under the influence of a rotating magnetic field (Pumera, et al/ACS Nano 2024). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Scientists report the development of microbiotic swarms that capture microplastics and potentially harmful microbes in water, paving the way for new approaches to combatting pollution in our oceans and waterways. According to new research led by Martin Pumera and colleagues, a microscale robotic system has been developed that can attract and then remove microplastics and harmful bacteria from water. These tiny plastic particles, often...

Millions of people around the world wear contact lenses, including reusable ones. But these plastic lenses don't last forever, and lenses need to be replaced every few days, weeks or months. Though scientists are still grappling to understand the health and environmental impacts of microplastics, it is important to understand where they can appear and what systems they could impact. When measuring aquatic microplastic pollution, researchers generally filter plastic fragments from large amounts of sampled water. The researchers gathered six kinds of contact lenses from various brands and of different lifespans. To mimic normal wear and care, the lenses were...

Disease-causing parasites could be pouring into oceans and infecting humans and wildlife after hitching a ride on microplastics, a new study warns. In lab tests, California experts found three different pathogens adhere to surfaces of microplastics – tiny plastic pieces under 0.2 of an inch (5mm) in diameter. These pathogens form a biofilm – a slimy layer made from a community of microbes – making them ultra-resilient to any rough waters. By 'hitchhiking' on microplastics, harmful microbes can disperse throughout the ocean, reaching places a land parasite would normally never be found. This can ultimately lead to fish and seafood...

Researchers examined cognitively normal human brain samples gathered at autopsy in early 2024 and found that tiny plastic shards were higher than just eight years earlier. The cadaver brains contained up to 30 times more microplastics than kidneys and liver, roughly equivalent to the amount found in an entire plastic spoon. “The concentrations we saw in the brain tissue of normal individuals, who had an average age of around 45 or 50 years old, were 4,800 micrograms per gram, or 0.48% by weight,” said co-lead study author Matthew Campen, Regents’ professor

I wonder how many different "scientists" missed the simple #math error in #MeganLiu's study that caused an unjustified panic over #BlackPlasticUtensils. Oh look. Their organization is called #ToxicFreeFuture. This is why I favor meritocracy instead of #SocialJustice or #DEI. https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/black-plastic-spatulas-really-bad-164241783.html

A new study conducted on roundworms finds that a common plastic ingredient causes breaks in DNA strands, resulting in egg cells with the wrong number of chromosomes. Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) is a chemical that makes plastic more flexible and durable, and is found in many consumer products, including food packaging, personal care products and children's toys. Previous studies have shown that BBP interferes with the body's hormones and affects human reproduction and development, but the details of how it impacts reproduction have been unclear. In the new study, researchers tested a range of doses of BBP on the nematode...

Prenatal exposure to higher levels of bisphenol A, a plastic commonly found in water bottles and packaging and known to leach into our foods and drinks, has been linked to autism spectrum disorder in boys, according to a new study that also identified the biological mechanism underlying this link. The risks of exposure to bisphenol A (BPA), an industrial chemical used in plastic manufacturing and found in a wide variety of plastic products, are well-documented. Known to leach out of plastics and into the foods and beverages we consume, studies have linked BPA to health issues primarily because it mimics...

Hurricane Debby is barreling through Florida, America’s economy is crashing, US troops were injured in Iraq Monday and conflict in the Middle East is on the brink of a dangerous escalation — sounds like the perfect time to ban the use of plastic cutlery, right?! Instead of addressing the multiple crises the nation is currently grappling with, the Biden administration decided it was time federal government workers stopped using plastic forks.The Biden administration announced it is launching a plan to “phase out” the “procurement of single-use plastics from food service operations, events and packaging by 2027, and from all federal...

The Biden administration will reportedly phase out the use of plastic cutlery in all federal departments to combat “climate change.” The administration announced the plan in July as part of its “Mobilizing Federal Action on Plastic Pollution: Progress, Principles, and Priorities,” per the New York Post. “The President is committed to taking ambitious actions… to end plastic pollution and is calling upon the global community to do the same, with the goal to reduce the global production and consumption of virgin plastics,” the White House said. The White House said that it will eliminate single-use plastics like “plastic and polystyrene...

We breathe, eat and drink tiny particles of plastic. But are these minuscule specks in the body harmless, dangerous or somewhere in between? A small study published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine raises more questions than it answers about how these bits—microplastics and the smaller nanoplastics—might affect the heart. The study involved 257 people who had surgery to clear blocked blood vessels in their necks. Italian researchers analyzed the fatty buildup that the surgeons removed from the carotid arteries, which supply blood and oxygen to the brain. Using two methods, they found evidence of plastics—mostly invisible nanoplastics—in...

Plastic producers should ‘pay for the damage they’ve caused’ after decades of deception, the report's authors say. Recycling has been promoted as a solution to plastic waste management for more than 50 years. But big oil companies and the plastics industry have known for decades that it’s not a technically or economically viable solution, a new report reveals. Combining existing research and recently revealed internal documents, the report by the Center for Climate Integrity Research (CCI) could form the foundation for legal action, its authors say. “When corporations and trade groups know that their products pose grave risks to society,...

Many of the foods consumed by Americans are contaminated with harmful plastic chemicals that contribute to health complications like diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and infertility, said a recent report by the nonprofit group Consumer Reports (CR).Bottles of Coca-Cola at a supermarket of Swiss retailer Denner, as the spread of the COVID-19 disease continues, in Glattbrugg, Switzerland, on June 26, 2020. (Arnd Wiegmann/Reuters)CR tested 85 food items from 11 categories—beverages, canned beans, condiments, dairy, fast food, grains, infant food, meat and poultry, packaged fruits and vegetables, prepared meals, and seafood, according to the Jan. 4 report. Researchers examined the presence of plasticizers—a...

A research study reveals that “eco-friendly” paper and bamboo straws may contain hazardous chemicals called PFAS. While used to enhance water and stain resistance in many products, PFAS can persist in the environment and are linked to various health issues. With 69% of the tested straw brands containing these chemicals, the research suggests reconsidering straw choices or opting for stainless steel versions. Long-lasting “forever chemicals,” which can cause damaging health issues, were found in 18 out of 20 brands of paper straws. “Eco-friendly” paper drinking straws contain long-lasting and potentially toxic chemicals, a new study has concluded. In the first...

Starch-based biodegradable plastics, once considered safer, may cause liver damage, metabolic issues, and gut microbiome imbalances when ingested, as shown in animal studies. Researchers found that mice exposed to these microplastics had disrupted organ function and altered biological rhythms. ***************************************************************** Starch-based biodegradable plastics may cause organ damage and metabolic issues, raising concerns about their safety despite being considered eco-friendly. Plastic products gradually break down through wear and tear, releasing tiny, often microscopic, plastic particles that may pose health risks if inhaled or ingested. To address this, researchers have developed biodegradable plastics made from plant starch rather than petroleum. However, a...

New research reveals how anthocyanin-rich fruits and vegetables could help defend your body against toxic microplastic exposure.If it seems like a weekly occurrence that a new microplastic-filled product is potentially harming your health, you’re right. Between tea bags, lipstick, dishwasher detergent, and gum (among many other things), it’s hard to avoid these tiny toxic particles. But there’s a glimmer of good news: a study published in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis found that colorful fruits and vegetables may combat the negative effects of microplastics in the body. Fruits and vegetables are known for their abundant vitamins and minerals, but the...

Chewing gum can secrete tiny plastic particles into saliva and bloodstreams, scientists in the US and China say, pointing to the latest source of microplastics in the human body. In a paper presented at the American Chemical Society (ACS) spring meeting on March 25, a team of engineers from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) explained that they found "hundreds to thousands of microplastics per piece" of gum in saliva after chewing. "Our initial hypothesis was that the synthetic gums would have a lot more microplastics because the base is a type of plastic," said Lisa Lowe of UCLA,...

Researchers in Oregon analyzed nearly 200 samples of shrimp, salmon, and other fish native to west coast waters to test for microplastics, tiny particle that get into our blood, accumulate in our organs and cause untold damage.

Microplastics, which are less than 5 millimeters, and nanoplastics, which are invisible to the naked eye, are widespread throughout our environment. Research has shown exposure to plastics in general is harmful to both the environment and humans. Now, researchers will unveil findings that suggest microplastics and nanoplastics have been found in higher concentrations in the placentas of infants born prematurely compared to those born at term. Researchers used highly sensitive mass spectrometry to analyze 175 placentas; 100 placentas collected at term and 75 collected preterm (less than 37 weeks of pregnancy). "Advanced technology now enables us to accurately measure microplastics...