Microplastics have been discovered in human testicles, possibly contributing to declining sperm counts in men. Researchers found microplastic pollution in all 23 human testes and 47 dog testes they examined. The study showed that dogs with higher PVC contamination had lower sperm counts. While the impact of microplastics on sperm count needs further research, their presence in human bodies is becoming more widespread, including in blood, placentas, and breast milk. The particles can cause inflammation or harm due to chemical exposure. With plastic waste polluting the environment and human consumption of microplastics, the health implications are concerning. The study, featured in Toxicological Sciences, found a higher plastic concentration in human testes compared to dog testes, raising alarms about potential reproductive health risks. Further studies, including one in China, support these findings, highlighting the urgent need for more research on the impact of microplastics on human health.
Vocabulary List:
- Microplastics (noun): Tiny plastic particlestypically less than 5mm in size.
- Pollution (noun): Contamination of the environment with harmful substances.
- Contamination (noun): The presence of unwanted substances or pollutants.
- Sperm (noun): The male reproductive cells.
- Inflammation (noun): A localized physical condition in which part of the body becomes reddenedswollenhotand often painfulespecially as a reaction to injury or infection.
- Chemical (noun): A substance produced by or used in a chemical process.
