(Natural News)—Microplastic pollution in the environment is a worldwide problem with many negative side effects. Several studies have also suggested that once microplastics enter the human body, they can increase the risk of health problems such as heart attack, stroke and even death.
Plastic is a crucial product in industrial production and it is pervasive in daily life. However, when plastic products break down, they turn into microplastics or nanoplastics, which are much smaller. Microplastics are plastic pieces smaller than five millimeters, while nanoplastics measure below one micron (1,000 nanometers).
According to Lin Xiaoxu, a virus specialist with a doctorate in microbiology, everyday plastic products “release” microplastics. Even synthetic textiles shed fiber fragments, and worn-out tires release plastic-containing dust.
Smooth plastic water bottles can also shed microplastics during washing. When these bottles are left out in nature, sunlight and ultraviolet radiation continuously break down the plastics into smaller particles, further contributing to microplastic pollution. (Related: STUDY: Microplastics in the body may aggravate cancer and spur metastasis.)
The following items also contribute to microplastic pollution:
- Bags
- Bottles
- Fishing nets
- Hygiene products
- Particles emitted from factories
- Textiles
- Tire dust
Unfortunately, humans and some animals often ingest some of these particles and other plastic particles accumulate and break down in oceans and soils. Marine organisms such as small fish, shellfish and shrimp, particularly those near coastlines, are more like to ingest harmful microplastics.
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Lin explained that the main sources of microplastics are industrial waste and wastewater discharge, which can cause significant environmental damage if left untreated.
Before the wastewater is released from factories, it must undergo thorough processes like biological reactions, chlorination, membrane technology, sand removal, sedimentation, screening and ultraviolet treatment to remove more than 90 percent of microplastics. But complete elimination is not achievable even with modern technology and natural environments may take thousands to tens of thousands of years to fully degrade microplastics.
Health risks linked to microplastics
Microplastics usually enter the body through food and drink ingestion. On the other hand, nanoplastics can be inhaled.
Aside from directly irritating mucous membranes, microplastics can carry environmental microbes like bacteria and viruses into the body.
Lin said once people ingest something toxic, they will often say it can be washed out quickly. However, microplastics are very tiny particles that “adhere to the surface of the stomach.”
He warned that there is no guarantee that washing out microplastics will remove them. He added that the body needs to slowly eliminate them, but this increases “the burden on the body.”
Several studies have revealed that after exposure to ultraviolet light and microbial degradation in the natural environment, “microplastics become more adsorbent, forming complexes with various environmental pollutants on their surfaces, making them more toxic to organisms.”
Microplastics, which function as carriers for dangerous heavy metals and pathogens, exhibit various toxicities upon entering the body.
And while most microplastics ingested through food are excreted via feces, a small portion can remain in the intestines for several days. This can result in inflammation, intestinal damage and the disruption of gut microbiota.
Microplastics can eventually be absorbed into intestinal cells and enter the bloodstream, which can damage organs and systems throughout the body. Organs like the liver and kidneys and bodily systems such as the immune, nervous and reproductive systems are often affected.
The excessive inhalation of microplastics can also result in respiratory tissue damage and disease.
According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, most carotid artery plaques contain microplastics. While conducting the study, researchers worked with 257 patients aged 18 to 75 with asymptomatic carotid stenosis.
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Researchers detected polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride in the removed carotid artery plaques of 150 patients (58.4 percent) and 31 patients (12.1 percent), respectively.
The research team reported that macrophages within the plaques contained visible foreign particles, some with jagged edges and chlorine content. They added that the patients with detected microplastics had over 4.5 times higher risk of heart attacks, strokes or death compared to the patients without microplastics.
Visit Microplastics.news for more stories about the dangers of exposure to microplastics and how to avoid them. Watch the video below for more information about the possible origins of microplastics.
This video is from the Finding Genius Podcast channel on Brighteon.com.
More related stories:
- STUDY: Researchers found microplastics in all human placenta they tested.
- Avoid toxic contaminants like microplastics in salt by switching to Pink Himalayan Salt.
- Study: Humans consume over 1,000 microplastics particles every year through TABLE SALT.
- Study finds MICROPLASTICS in almost 90% of protein sources, including plant-based ones.
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Five Things New “Preppers” Forget When Getting Ready for Bad Times Ahead
The preparedness community is growing faster than it has in decades. Even during peak times such as Y2K, the economic downturn of 2008, and Covid, the vast majority of Americans made sure they had plenty of toilet paper but didn’t really stockpile anything else.
Things have changed. There’s a growing anxiety in this presidential election year that has prompted more Americans to get prepared for crazy events in the future. Some of it is being driven by fearmongers, but there are valid concerns with the economy, food supply, pharmaceuticals, the energy grid, and mass rioting that have pushed average Americans into “prepper” mode.
There are degrees of preparedness. One does not have to be a full-blown “doomsday prepper” living off-grid in a secure Montana bunker in order to be ahead of the curve. In many ways, preparedness isn’t about being able to perfectly handle every conceivable situation. It’s about being less dependent on government for as long as possible. Those who have proper “preps” will not be waiting for FEMA to distribute emergency supplies to the desperate masses.
Below are five things people new to preparedness (and sometimes even those with experience) often forget as they get ready. All five are common sense notions that do not rely on doomsday in order to be useful. It may be nice to own a tank during the apocalypse but there’s not much you can do with it until things get really crazy. The recommendations below can have places in the lives of average Americans whether doomsday comes or not.
Note: The information provided by this publication or any related communications is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. We do not provide personalized investment, financial, or legal advice.
Secured Wealth
Whether in the bank or held in a retirement account, most Americans feel that their life’s savings is relatively secure. At least they did until the last couple of years when de-banking, geopolitical turmoil, and the threat of Central Bank Digital Currencies reared their ugly heads.
It behooves Americans to diversify their holdings. If there’s a triggering event or series of events that cripple the financial systems or devalue the U.S. Dollar, wealth can evaporate quickly. To hedge against potential turmoil, many Americans are looking in two directions: Crypto and physical precious metals.
There are huge advantages to cryptocurrencies, but there are also inherent risks because “virtual” money can become challenging to spend. Add in the push by central banks and governments to regulate or even replace cryptocurrencies with their own versions they control and the risks amplify. There’s nothing wrong with cryptocurrencies today but things can change rapidly.
As for physical precious metals, many Americans pay cash to keep plenty on hand in their safe. Rolling over or transferring retirement accounts into self-directed IRAs is also a popular option, but there are caveats. It can often take weeks or even months to get the gold and silver shipped if the owner chooses to close their account. This is why Genesis Gold Group stands out. Their relationship with the depositories allows for rapid closure and shipping, often in less than 10 days from the time the account holder makes their move. This can come in handy if things appear to be heading south.
Lots of Potable Water
One of the biggest shocks that hit new preppers is understanding how much potable water they need in order to survive. Experts claim one gallon of water per person per day is necessary. Even the most conservative estimates put it at over half-a-gallon. That means that for a family of four, they’ll need around 120 gallons of water to survive for a month if the taps turn off and the stores empty out.
Being near a fresh water source, whether it’s a river, lake, or well, is a best practice among experienced preppers. It’s necessary to have a water filter as well, even if the taps are still working. Many refuse to drink tap water even when there is no emergency. Berkey was our previous favorite but they’re under attack from regulators so the Alexapure systems are solid replacements.
For those in the city or away from fresh water sources, storage is the best option. This can be challenging because proper water storage containers take up a lot of room and are difficult to move if the need arises. For “bug in” situations, having a larger container that stores hundreds or even thousands of gallons is better than stacking 1-5 gallon containers. Unfortunately, they won’t be easily transportable and they can cost a lot to install.
Water is critical. If chaos erupts and water infrastructure is compromised, having a large backup supply can be lifesaving.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies
There are multiple threats specific to the medical supply chain. With Chinese and Indian imports accounting for over 90% of pharmaceutical ingredients in the United States, deteriorating relations could make it impossible to get the medicines and antibiotics many of us need.
Stocking up many prescription medications can be hard. Doctors generally do not like to prescribe large batches of drugs even if they are shelf-stable for extended periods of time. It is a best practice to ask your doctor if they can prescribe a larger amount. Today, some are sympathetic to concerns about pharmacies running out or becoming inaccessible. Tell them your concerns. It’s worth a shot. The worst they can do is say no.
If your doctor is unwilling to help you stock up on medicines, then Jase Medical is a good alternative. Through telehealth, they can prescribe daily meds or antibiotics that are shipped to your door. As proponents of medical freedom, they empathize with those who want to have enough medical supplies on hand in case things go wrong.
Energy Sources
The vast majority of Americans are locked into the grid. This has proven to be a massive liability when the grid goes down. Unfortunately, there are no inexpensive remedies.
Those living off-grid had to either spend a lot of money or effort (or both) to get their alternative energy sources like solar set up. For those who do not want to go so far, it’s still a best practice to have backup power sources. Diesel generators and portable solar panels are the two most popular, and while they’re not inexpensive they are not out of reach of most Americans who are concerned about being without power for extended periods of time.
Natural gas is another necessity for many, but that’s far more challenging to replace. Having alternatives for heating and cooking that can be powered if gas and electric grids go down is important. Have a backup for items that require power such as manual can openers. If you’re stuck eating canned foods for a while and all you have is an electric opener, you’ll have problems.
Don’t Forget the Protein
When most think about “prepping,” they think about their food supply. More Americans are turning to gardening and homesteading as ways to produce their own food. Others are working with local farmers and ranchers to purchase directly from the sources. This is a good idea whether doomsday comes or not, but it’s particularly important if the food supply chain is broken.
Most grocery stores have about one to two weeks worth of food, as do most American households. Grocers rely heavily on truckers to receive their ongoing shipments. In a crisis, the current process can fail. It behooves Americans for multiple reasons to localize their food purchases as much as possible.
Long-term storage is another popular option. Canned foods, MREs, and freeze dried meals are selling out quickly even as prices rise. But one component that is conspicuously absent in shelf-stable food is high-quality protein. Most survival food companies offer low quality “protein buckets” or cans of meat, but they are often barely edible.
Prepper All-Naturals offers premium cuts of steak that have been cooked sous vide and freeze dried to give them a 25-year shelf life. They offer Ribeye, NY Strip, and Tenderloin among others.
Having buckets of beans and rice is a good start, but keeping a solid supply of high-quality protein isn’t just healthier. It can help a family maintain normalcy through crises.
Prepare Without Fear
With all the challenges we face as Americans today, it can be emotionally draining. Citizens are scared and there’s nothing irrational about their concerns. Being prepared and making lifestyle changes to secure necessities can go a long way toward overcoming the fears that plague us. We should hope and pray for the best but prepare for the worst. And if the worst does come, then knowing we did what we could to be ready for it will help us face those challenges with confidence.
