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Significant concentrations of microplastics have been detected in the testicular tissues of both humans and dogs in a study, raising concerns about the possible effect on human reproductive health.
University of New Mexico researchers found microplastic presence in all 23 human testes examined by scientists, as well as 47 testes from pet dogs, with significant inter-individual variability. “Mean total microplastic levels were 122.63 microgramme per gramme (µg / g) in dogs and 328.44 µg / g in humans,” according to the report published in Toxicological Sciences May 15, 2024.
The researchers quantified 12 types of microplastics. Both humans and canines showed relatively similar proportions of the major polymer types, with polyethylene (PE) being dominant. Furthermore, “a negative correlation between specific polymers such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and the normalised weight of the testis was observed”. The discovery could be linked to the declining sperm count in men, the scientists said.
The study led by Chelin Jamie Hu aimed to quantify and characterise the prevalence and composition of microplastics within both canine and human testes and investigate potential associations with the sperm count, and weights of testis and epididymis.
Humans are potentially exposed to microplastics through oral intake, inhalation and skin contact. The effect of microplastics consist of oxidative stress, DNA damage, organ dysfunction, metabolic disorder, immune response, neurotoxicity, as well as reproductive and developmental toxicity. In addition, epidemiological evidence suggested that a variety of chronic diseases may be related to microplastics exposure.
In 2024, the global Plastic Overshoot Day (POD) was projected to occur on September 5. POD marks the point in time when the amount of plastic waste generated exceeds the world’s capacity to manage it, resulting in environmental pollution.
As many as 217 countries will release 3,153,813 tonnes of microplastics into the world’s waterways by the end of 2024. China, India, the United States and Japan will account for 51 per cent of this volume, according to the 2024 POD Report by EA Earth Action.
India will release 391,879 tonnes of microplastics and will be the second leading polluter of the waterbodies, after China (787,069 tonnes), in the world.
The theme of Earth Day 2024 (April 22) was ‘Planet vs Plastics’ and called for a 60 per cent reduction of plastic production by 2040.
A 2023 report by the Nordic Council of Ministers indicated that without global action, the annual levels of mismanaged plastics would continue to rise and could almost double from 110 million tonnes (Mt) in 2019 to 205 Mt by 2040.
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