Some researchers and interested parties have raised questions about published, peer-reviewed studies on the impact of microplastics on human health, The Guardian reported.
What happened?
It’s often said that “microplastics” are “everywhere,” and “everywhere” certainly includes the news cycle.
Since microplastic exposure was first identified in 2004, research on the environmental and biological impacts of microplastic exposure has rapidly emerged, all of which point to an underlying, worsening problem.
The Guardian often reports on new research on microplastics, but on January 13, the outlet reported that some researchers were questioning some well-known studies on microplastics.
Unlike typical coverage of microplastic research in this outlet, this article is not based on research, nor are the “questions” raised by the researchers part of any formal research effort. Some of the paraphrased excerpts from this article are arguably ambiguous.
“The international community is increasingly concerned about the need to control plastic pollution, but erroneous evidence about human levels of microplastics could dangerously lead to misleading regulations and policies,” the researchers said.
The Guardian “lists seven studies that other researchers have questioned,” which readers could interpret as indicators that the studies have inherent or obvious flaws.
However, a 2023 journal article noted that this part of the process, often referred to as the “letter to the editor,” is an “indelible part” of the published research. Although challenges are indexed like studies, post-publication objections are not peer-reviewed.
The Guardian cited criticism from Dr. Dušan Materić, an expert on microplastics and nanoplastics. Mattridge questioned the methods used to study the penetration of microplastics into the human brain.
“The brain’s microplastic paper is a joke. Fats are known to cause false positives in polyethylene. The brain has [approximately] 60% fat,” he said in a February LinkedIn post.
Why is this concerning?
While scientific understanding of microplastics is still in its infancy, research challenges are not unique to the topic. Researchers also regularly identify study limitations to avoid overgeneralization and account for potential gaps in understanding. Still, numerous peer-reviewed studies show that microplastics pose risks to the environment, wildlife and human health.
Microplastics have been found in the most remote corners of the planet – where they certainly don’t masquerade as “fat” – and they’ve been linked to a range of adverse health effects in humans and animals.
While Matterich’s criticism was directed at one study and its setting, some of the “questions” raised in the article had nothing to do with the study’s results.
Environmental chemist Dr. Cassandra Rauert acknowledges that microplastics are a concern and worries that worrying research has promoted expensive and untested treatments to “remove” microplastics from the blood.
“responsibility [for scientists] Rault said, describing the panicked calls from concerned members of the public.
Roger Kuhlman, a former Dow Chemical Co. chemist, called the objections to seven of the thousands of studies “bombshells,” The Guardian reported.
“This is really forcing us to reevaluate everything we thought we knew about microplastics in the body. It turns out that this knowledge actually isn’t much. Many researchers make extraordinary claims but don’t provide even ordinary evidence,” Kullman asserted, without providing specific details.
Dow Chemical Company has mentioned the issue of microplastic pollution caused by particulate matter more than once. The company argued as early as 2023 that the risks of microplastics to the environment and human health “[have] Not proven. “
What measures are being taken?
In October, the International Council for Science reviewed 7,000 studies on microplastics.
“The scientific evidence is now sufficient: global collective action is urgently needed to address microplastics – and the problem has never been more urgent,” the commenters concluded.
The risks of plastic pollution and microplastics are well documented – using less plastic is an easy way to reduce your household’s direct exposure to plastic.
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