Category: Environmental Effects

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Opinion Piece: Can We Trust What Comes out the Tap?

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South Africa’s water quality monitoring gap explained

By Robert Erasmus, Managing Director at Sanitech

Source: Unsplash CC0

Access to safe and clean water remains a critical concern in South Africa. Recent incidents, including a highly contaminated water sample from Secunda that showed extreme levels of E. coli, have highlighted the urgent need for faster and more reliable water quality monitoring across the country. Public health depends on the safety of the water flowing through our rivers, dams and municipal systems, yet current monitoring processes often struggle to detect contamination before it reaches communities. Improving these systems will require a combination of practical testing methods, independent oversight and community involvement.

Why traditional testing cannot keep up
South Africa’s public water testing framework is accurate but slow. When contamination is suspected, samples must be collected, couriered to an accredited laboratory and cultured to detect biological threats such as E. coli. While potential of Hydrogen (pH) and chlorine levels can be measured quickly on site, biological tests take one to two weeks because the organisms must be grown before results can be confirmed. This delay leaves a dangerous gap in which water quality could deteriorate without immediate detection.

The process is also costly. A single accredited test, including logistics, can cost around R5 000, which makes frequent testing inaccessible for households and many community organisations. As a result, many people rely on the assumption that water from the tap is safe. When contamination does occur, individuals may fall ill without realising the cause because there is no real time feedback on water quality.

How in-house testing can speed up detection
Although accredited labs are still required for official reporting, new approaches are emerging that can help organisations identify risks earlier. Some companies are now investing in equipment that allows them to carry out basic testing in house. These tests are not accredited but they give fast, useful readings that act as early warning indicators. If an organisation detects abnormal results, it can immediately escalate the matter to an accredited lab instead of waiting for contamination to spread.

Routine pH and chlorine monitoring also plays a valuable role. These tests are inexpensive, easy to perform and can be carried out continuously within businesses or local facilities. While they cannot detect biological contamination, they help ensure that the chemical balance of the water stays within safe limits. When combined with monthly or cyclical biological testing, this creates a more proactive monitoring system.

This approach recently proved critical in Secunda, where a business conducting its own branch-level testing discovered that municipal water entering the site was contaminated with sewage. The in-house test flagged the issue quickly, prompting further investigation. Without this internal programme, the problem might have gone unnoticed for far longer.

Why collaboration improves water safety
A stronger water monitoring system cannot rely on public authorities alone. Partnerships between municipalities, private companies and communities can help improve both the speed and reliability of responses. Independent testing at business level introduces greater transparency and can highlight water quality issues that may otherwise go unreported. When patterns of poor quality emerge, communities gain evidence to push for corrective action.

Transparency also drives accountability. If businesses in a region consistently report poor water quality, it becomes more difficult for the problem to remain hidden. Public pressure increases and municipalities have a clearer picture of where urgent interventions are needed. This type of shared visibility is essential for strengthening trust and promoting faster action.

Communities have an important role as well. Residents are often the first to notice discolouration, odour or unusual cloudiness in their tap water. Reporting these signs to employers or organisations with the means to test can lead to early detection. Raising issues solely through political channels may not always lead to immediate investigation, but involving local businesses can create quicker pathways to testing and response.

A path toward safer and more reliable water
A safer water future for South Africa will depend on strengthening both formal and informal monitoring systems. Accredited labs remain vital for official results, yet in house testing, routine checks and community reporting can highlight risks long before formal samples are processed. When contamination is confirmed, solutions like filtration, Ultraviolet (UV) treatment or proper chlorination can be deployed quickly to restore safety.

What this shows is simple: the safety of tap water cannot be taken at face value. Consistent monitoring and transparent reporting are key to safeguarding public health. With better coordination between public bodies, private organisations and communities, South Africa can build a water monitoring system that identifies problems early and protects every household.

Categories : Environmental Effects NeurologyTags :

Five Ways Microplastics May Harm the Brain

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A new study highlights five ways microplastics can trigger inflammation and damage in the brain.

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Microplastics could be fuelling neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, with a new study highlighting five ways microplastics can trigger inflammation and damage in the brain.

More than 57 million people live with dementia, and cases of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s are projected to rise sharply. The possibility that microplastics could aggravate or accelerate these brain diseases is a major public health concern.

Pharmaceutical scientist Associate Professor Kamal Dua, from the University of Technology Sydney, said it is estimated that adults are consuming 250 grams of microplastics every year – enough to cover a dinner plate.

“We ingest microplastics from a wide range of sources including contaminated seafood, salt, processed foods, tea bags, plastic chopping boards, drinks in plastic bottles and food grown in contaminated soil, as well as plastic fibres from carpets, dust and synthetic clothing.”

“Common plastics include polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene and polyethylene terephthalate or PET. The majority of these microplastics are cleared from our bodies, however studies show they do accumulate in our organs, including our brains.”

The systematic review, recently published in Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, was an international collaboration led by researchers from the University of Technology Sydney and Auburn University in the US.

The researchers highlighted five main pathways through which microplastics can cause harm to the brain, including triggering immune cell activity, generating oxidative stress, disrupting the blood–brain barrier, impairing mitochondria and damaging neurons.

“Microplastics actually weaken the blood–brain barrier, making it leaky. Once that happens, immune cells and inflammatory molecules are activated, which then causes even more damage to the barrier’s cells,” said Associate Professor Dua.

“The body treats microplastics as foreign intruders, which prompts the brain’s immune cells to attack them. When the brain is stressed by factors like toxins or environmental pollutants this also causes oxidative stress,” he said.

Microplastics cause oxidative stress in two main ways: they increase the amount of “reactive oxygen species” or unstable molecules that can damage cells, and they weaken the body’s antioxidant systems, which normally help keep those molecules in check.

“Microplastics also interfere with the way mitochondria produce energy, reducing the supply of ATP, or adenosine triphosphate, which is the fuel cells need to function. This energy shortfall weakens neuron activity and can ultimately damage brain cells,” said Associate Professor Dua.

“All these pathways interact with each other to increase damage in the brain.”

The paper also explores specific ways in which microplastics could contribute to Alzheimer’s, including triggering increased buildup of beta-amyloid and tau; and in Parkinson’s through aggregation of α-Synuclein and damage to dopaminergic neurons.

First author UTS Master of Pharmacy student Alexander Chi Wang Siu is a currently working in the lab of Professor Murali Dhanasekaran at Auburn University, in collaboration with Associate Professor Dua, Dr Keshav Raj Paudel and Distinguished Professor Brian Oliver from UTS, to better understand how microplastics affect brain cell function. 

Previous UTS research has examined how microplastics are inhaled and where they are deposited in the lungs. Dr Paudel, a visiting scholar in the UTS Faculty of Engineering, is also currently investigating the impact of microplastic inhalation on lung health.

While evidence suggests microplastics could worsen diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, the authors emphasise that more research is needed to prove a direct link. However, they recommend taking steps to reduce microplastic exposure.

“We need to change our habits and use less plastic. Steer clear of plastic containers and plastic cutting boards, don’t use the dryer, choose natural fibres instead of synthetic ones and eat less processed and packaged foods,” said Dr Paudel.

The researchers hope the current findings will help shape environmental policies to cut plastic production, improve waste management and reduce long-term public health risks posed by this ubiquitous environmental pollutant.

Source: University of Technology Sydney

Categories : Cancer Environmental EffectsTags :

No Increased Childhood Cancer Risk near UK Nuclear Sites, Study Finds

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Children living near nuclear power stations in the UK are not at increased risk of childhood cancers, according to a new analysis.

The research was led by scientists at Imperial College London and University of Bristol and commissioned by the UK Committee on the Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE). The results, published in International Journal of Epidemiology, found no evidence of increased risk of childhood cancers among children living near 28 nuclear installations between 1995 and 2016.

Researchers analysed cancer incidence data for nearly 50 000 cases of childhood leukaemia, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (LNHL), central nervous system (CNS) tumours, and other solid tumours in children aged 0–14 years.

They looked at data for communities living within 25 kilometres of installations, including those which have been linked to historical concerns about potential health impacts – such as Sellafield in Cumbria and Dounreay in northern Scotland.

The analysis found no evidence of increased risk of childhood cancers among children living near 28 nuclear installations between 1995 and 2016.
(Credit: Davies, B. et al. Int J Epidemiol, 2025)

Using these data and advanced statistical modelling, they found no increased incidence of childhood cancers in these areas compared to national averages.[1] They also found no evidence that cancer risk increased the closer children lived to the nuclear sites.

Dr Bethan Davies, from Imperial’s School of Public Health and lead author of the study, said: “For many years there have been public concerns about the potential health impacts of living near nuclear installations. Our analysis suggests that children living near these sites today are not at increased risk.”

The latest study builds on decades of research following reports in the 1980s of clusters of cancer cases near nuclear facilities in England, Scotland and Germany[2] – following which, the UK Government set up COMARE to advise on the health effects of radiation.

Early investigations confirmed clusters of cases of some cancers near nuclear installations, particularly LNHL.

However, subsequent studies failed to show any direct link between these cases and radiation exposure from nuclear facilities.

In 2016, a COMARE report[3] suggested other potential explanations for these case clusters, including infections introduced due to population mixing in the areas.

The new findings come at a time of renewed interest in nuclear energy as part of the UK’s strategy to meet net-zero carbon targets and the government committing £14.2bn to build a new nuclear power station in Suffolk and develop small modular reactors.

The researchers say that while their study offers reassurance, they support COMARE’s recommendations for ongoing surveillance of cancer incidence near nuclear sites.

The authors acknowledge a number of limitations with their study, including the use of residential address at diagnosis as a proxy for exposure.

They were also unable to account for individual-level risk factors – such as genetic or medical conditions. However, they emphasise that the study’s design and comprehensive data make it one of the most detailed assessments to date.

Dr Davies added: “As the UK government announces a multibillion-pound investment for new nuclear energy infrastructure, our findings should provide reassurance that the historical clusters of childhood cancers reported near sites such as Sellafield and Dounreay are no longer evident.”

Professor Mireille Toledano, Mohn Chair in Population Child Health in Imperial’s School of Public Health, said: “These findings are both timely and important. As the UK and other countries expand their nuclear energy capacity, it’s vital that public health remains a central consideration. It’s reassuring that our study found that the historic case clusters have resolved, but it remains important we continue to monitor public health data around such sites across the UK for any emerging trends of concern.”

The full study, published today in the International Journal of Epidemiology, was supported by funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), Health Data Research UK (HDRUK) and the UK Medical Research Council (UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)).

The work was carried out through the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Chemical and Radiation Threats and Hazards – a partnership between the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and Imperial College London.

The work was also supported by the NIHR Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, a translational research partnership between Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and Imperial College London.

–

[1] Researchers obtained national incident cases of cancer diagnosed between 1995 and 2016 in children under 15 years of age from NHS England (formerly Public Health England), Welsh Cancer Intelligence and Surveillance Unit and Health Protection Scotland.

[2] A cluster of cases of leukaemia in children living close to the Sellafield nuclear plant was reported in 1983. An Independent Advisory Group confirmed the cluster and the UK government established COMARE to advise on the health effects of radiation. Subsequent studies identified increased risks of cancers in children and young adults living near Sellafield, Dounreay (Scotland), and Hamburg (Germany) nuclear installations.

[3] Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE) – Seventh report (2016) https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7f70ed40f0b6230268f83c/COMARE_17th_Report.pdf

Source: Imperial College London

Categories : Environmental Effects HospitalsTags :

Is It Time for the Gloves to Come off?

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The indiscriminate use of non-sterile gloves in hospitals and clinics could be doing more harm than good, new research has found.

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The indiscriminate use of non-sterile gloves in hospitals and clinics is significantly adding to environmental pollution, with little evidence to prove that there are substantial benefits.

New research from Edith Cowan University (ECU) has highlighted the lack of evidenced-based guidelines in the use of non-sterile gloves in healthcare nursing and other medical fields, which could be impacting patient outcomes, healthcare costs, and environmental sustainability in healthcare.

Lead author Dr Natasya Raja Azlan noted while non-sterile gloves are necessary when there is a risk of touching body fluids that could carry viruses or bacteria or hazardous medications, there is no evidence to support the use of gloves for activities like moving patients, feeding, or basic washing or preparing many medications.

In fact, unnecessary glove use can be harmful. Staff are less likely to wash their hands, even though handwashing remains the best way to stop infections spreading. The result can be increased spread of harmful disease between vulnerable patients as well as healthcare staff.

Dr Raja Azlan

Co-author Dr Lesley Andrew added that the abundant use of non-sterile gloves was also contributing to the cost of healthcare, pointing out that one New South Wales hospital’s decision to cut-back on the use of these gloves had saved $155 000 in a single year and reduced medical waste by 8 tonnes.

“The disposal of healthcare products represents 7% of Australia’s national total carbon emissions, only slightly less than the 10% attributed to all road vehicles. Manufacturing these gloves consumes fossil fuels, water, and energy, while their disposal if through incineration can degrade air quality and release harmful chemicals. If sent to landfill, they may leach microparticles and heavy metals into soil and water systems, posing risks to both human health and the environment,” she added.

Dr Raja Azlan noted that, despite non-sterile glove use being a common and routinely taught practice during intravenous antimicrobial preparation and administration, there are currently no evidence-based guidelines or protocols in place to support or standardise this aspect of nursing care.

This lack of evidence-based protocols has resulted in co-author Dr Carol Crevacore calling for a review into this practice.

Source: Edith Cowan University

Categories : Environmental Effects Obstetrics & GynaecologyTags :

Artificial Light Changes Menstrual Synchronisation with the Moon

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There is no question that the moon has a significant influence on Earth. Its gravitational pull affects the planet and moves water masses in the daily rhythm of ebb and flow (tides) – this point is undisputed. More difficult to answer is the question of whether the same gravitational force also affects life on Earth, especially the human organism. And the discussion becomes even more complicated when it comes to how the fluctuating brightness of the Earth’s satellite between full and new moon affects humans.

A research team led by Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (JMU) has now presented new findings on this topic. Its conclusion: “We show that synchronisation with the moon has decreased significantly since the introduction of LEDs and the increasing use of smartphones and screens of all kinds,” explains Charlotte Förster. The Würzburg chronobiologist recently headed the Department of Neurobiology and Genetics; she now conducts research there as a senior professor.

Comparing Records from two Centuries

For their study, now published in the journal Science Advances, Förster and her team analysed long-term menstrual records of women from the past 50 years. “The results showed that the menstrual cycles of women whose records were made before the introduction of light-emitting diodes in 2010 and the widespread use of smartphones were significantly synchronised with the cycle of the full and new moon,” says Förster, describing the key finding. After 2010, the cycles were mostly only synchronized in January, when the gravitational forces between the moon, sun, and Earth are at their highest.

The scientists therefore hypothesize that humans have an internal moon clock that can be synchronised to the lunar cycle by natural night light and gravitational forces. However, the coupling of the moon clock to the lunar cycle in humans is impaired by increasing nighttime illumination from artificial light.

Other Studies Support the Moon Clock Hypothesis

“Moon clocks are widespread in marine organisms, but have not yet been proven in humans,” explains Charlotte Förster. In fact, many species synchronize their reproductive behaviour with a specific phase of the lunar cycle in order to increase reproductive success. The human menstrual cycle also has a similar duration to the lunar cycle, at approximately 29.5 days, and recent studies also suggest at least temporary synchronicity between the menstrual and lunar cycles.

The influence of the moon on the female cycle remains controversial. “It is completely unclear how such a lunar clock can be synchronised by the small cyclical changes in gravity between the Earth and the moon,” says Förster. The findings now published are consistent with results from sleep research and psychiatry.

For example, studies by two chronobiologists, Basel researcher Christian Cajochen and Washington biologist Horacio de la Iglesia, show that people sleep significantly less around the full and new moon than at other times. “Interestingly, this also applies to city dwellers, where nighttime city lighting is much brighter than the light of the full moon,” says the chronobiologist. And US psychiatrist Thomas Wehr has concluded that people with bipolar disorder are more likely to switch between mania and depression around the full and new moon.

Artificial Light Disrupts Synchronisation

Taken together, these findings suggest that humans can respond not only to moonlight, but also to the gravitational cycles caused by the moon, according to the Würzburg research team. “However, our study shows that increased exposure to artificial light severely impairs the synchrony between the menstrual cycle and the lunar cycle,” explains Charlotte Förster.

According to this, artificial light at night not only “outshines” the natural moonlight cycles, but also shortens the length of the menstrual cycle. However, since continuous synchronization is only possible if the length of the cycle is close to the lunar cycle, this shortening in turn reduces the likelihood of synchronization.

A High Proportion of Blue Light Increases the Effect

Anyone wondering why the introduction of LEDs and the increasing use of smartphones have this effect – after all, artificial lighting has been around for a long time, from gas lanterns to incandescent light bulbs – will find an explanation in Charlotte Förster’s words: “LEDs have much higher energy than gas lanterns and light bulbs. In addition, they have a high proportion of blue light, to which our photoreceptors in the eye are particularly sensitive.” That is why LED light has a much stronger effect on humans than previous light sources.

And even though Charlotte Förster and her team were able to clearly demonstrate that the synchronization of the female menstrual cycle with the moon is weakened by LEDs, smartphones, and screens of all kinds, there is one small caveat when interpreting these results: “Our findings show a correlation between these two phenomena. We were unable to establish a causal link,” says the scientist.

In principle, the study now published is basic research. Nevertheless, a potential benefit emerges from the evaluation of the data: “Since period length appears to be a possible age-dependent marker for female fertility, our findings could be relevant not only for human physiology and behaviour, but also for fertility and contraception,” says Charlotte Förster.

Source: University of Würzburg

Categories : Environmental EffectsTags :

New Research Calls for Global Action on Micro- and Nanoplastics in the Atmosphere

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Scientists at The University of Manchester are calling for the creation of a global network of air monitoring stations to track the movement of airborne plastic pollution, which may be travelling further and faster around the planet than previously thought.

In a new review, published in the journal Current Pollution Reports, the researchers have examined the current scientific research on how tiny plastic fragments – called micro and nanoplastics – enter the air, where they come from, and the mechanisms that transport them across vast distances.

The study reveals significant gaps in knowledge and understanding of airborne plastic pollution, driven by inconsistent measurement techniques, limited data, oversimplified simulations, and gaps in understanding atmospheric cycling mechanisms.

One key uncertainty is the scale of plastic entering the atmosphere. Current estimates vary wildly – from less than 800 tonnes to nearly 9 million tonnes per year – making it difficult to assess the true global impact. It also remains unclear whether the dominant contributors are land-based, such as road traffic, or marine based, such as sea spray.

Such large uncertainties raise the concern that airborne plastics, which pose potential risks to human and environmental health, may have a more extensive presence and influence than previously captured by current monitoring and simulation systems.

“The scale of uncertainty around how much plastic is entering our atmosphere is alarming. Plastic pollution can have serious consequences for human health and ecosystems, so in order to assess the risks, we need to better understand how these particles behave in the atmosphere. If we want to protect people and the planet, we need better data, better models, and global coordination.”

Lead author Zhonghua Zheng, Co-Lead for Environmental Data Science & AI at Manchester Environmental Research Institute (MERI) and Lecturer in Data Science & Environmental Analytics at The University of Manchester

Each year, the world produces over 400 million tonnes of plastic, with a significant proportion ending up as waste. Over time, these plastics breaks down into microscopic particles called microplastics (less than 5mm) and nanoplastics (smaller than 1 micron), which are increasingly being found in the air we breath, oceans and soil. These particles can move thousands of miles within days and have even remote regions like polar ice zones, desserts and remote mountain peaks.

While our understanding of the problem has grown rapidly, limited real-world data, inconsistent sampling methods, and computer models that oversimplify how plastic behaves in the air, means that key questions remain unanswered.

To address these concerns, the authors are calling for future research efforts to focus on three critical areas:

  • Expanding and standardising global observation networks
  • Improving and refining atmospheric modelling
  • Harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI)

They say this integrated approach could transform how we understand and manage the plastic pollution crisis.

“By adopting this integrated approach, we can fundamentally transform how we understand and manage this emerging threat. AI can play a powerful role in analysing data and simulating plastic movement, it can help make sense of fragmented datasets, detect hidden patterns, and integrate information from multiple sources – but it needs good quality data to work with. All of these areas must work hand in hand to manage this emerging threat and shape effective global pollution strategies.”

Fei Jiang, PhD researcher at The University of Manchester

Source: University of Manchester

Categories : Environmental EffectsTags :

Wastewater Treatment Plants Are a Major Source of Pharmaceutical Pollution

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Common antidepressants, antibiotics and allergy drugs are being discharged into waterways, as conventional treatment fails to remove them

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Municipal wastewater treatment plants are ineffective at removing Prozac (fluoxetine) and other common pharmaceuticals in wastewater, causing the drugs to be discharged into lakes, rivers and streams where they pose a risk to aquatic organisms. Paulina Chaber-Jarlachowicz of the Institute of Environmental Protection – National Research Institute in Warsaw, Poland, and colleagues reported these findings in a new study published September 24, 2025 in the open-access journal PLOS One.

Most wastewater treatment plants break down organic compounds in wastewater using microbes, which are then removed as activated sludge. Existing research, however, suggests these methods do not remove pharmaceuticals effectively, causing them to be released into waterways. While some drugs do break down eventually, most persist in the environment, where they continue to be active, even at extremely low concentrations.

In the new study, researchers collected samples from six municipal wastewater treatment plants in Poland to investigate their ability to remove more than a dozen common pharmaceuticals. They measured the levels of drugs coming into the plant in the wastewater, determined how much is discharged to the environment in the treated water and sludge, and estimated the associated ecological risks.

The researchers found that all six wastewater treatment plants released pharmaceuticals into the environment. Only the pain reliever drugs naproxen (Aleve) and ketoprofen and the antihistamine salicylic acid were effectively removed during treatment.

For some pharmaceuticals, including the antidepressant fluoxetine (Prozac), the pain reliever diclofenac, and the anti-seizure drug carbamazepine, the treatment processes actually led to higher levels of the compounds in the discharged water than in the original wastewater. Fluoxetine and the allergy drug loratadine (Claritin) posed the greatest risk to aquatic organisms, due to their ability to disrupt hormone signaling and development at the levels seen in the treated water.

The new results add to the growing body of evidence demonstrating that conventional methods used by municipal wastewater treatment facilities are unable to remove many common drugs, making the plants a source of pharmaceutical pollution. These findings will lay the groundwork for further research into the inactivation of pharmaceutical compounds and their breakdown products in sewage and sludge.

The authors add: “The study’s findings demonstrated that municipal wastewater treatment facilities using conventional mechanical-biological processes (CAS) are ineffective at removing pharmaceuticals from wastewater. The annual emissions of pharmaceuticals to rivers from wastewater treatment plants in the study area amounted to at least 40Mg. Ketoprofen, sulfamethoxazole, carbamazepine and fluoxetine were identified as the primary contributors to the total mass load and emissions of pharmaceuticals.”

Provided by PLOS

Categories : Environmental Effects UrogenitalTags :

Microplastics Detected in Human Reproductive Fluids

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New research presented today at the 41st Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) reveals the presence of microplastics in human reproductive fluids, raising important questions about their potential risks to fertility and reproductive health.[1]

The study abstract appears in Human Reproduction, one of the world’s leading reproductive medicine journals.

Researchers examined follicular fluid from 29 women and seminal fluid from 22 men, both of which play critical roles in natural conception and assisted reproduction.

A range of commonly used microplastic polymers, including polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA), polypropylene (PP) and polyurethane (PU), were identified in both groups.

Microplastics were present in 69% of the follicular fluid samples analysed. Notably, the most frequently detected polymer was PTFE, found in 31% of the samples. This was followed by PP (28%), PET (17%), PA (14%), polyethylene (PE) (10%), PU (10%) and PS (7%), in descending order of prevalence.

In male seminal fluid samples, microplastics were found in 55% of those analysed. PTFE again emerged as the most prevalent polymer, identified in 41% of the samples. Other polymers detected included PS (14%), PET (9%), PA (5%), and PU (5%), though in lower concentrations.

To prevent contamination, all samples were collected and stored in glass containers and underwent chemical treatment before analysis using laser direct infrared microscopy.

Lead researcher Dr. Emilio Gomez-Sanchez commented, “Previous studies had already shown that microplastics can be found in various human organs. As a result, we weren´t entirely surprised to find microplastics in fluids of the human reproductive system, but we were struck by how common they were – found in 69% of the women and 55% of the men we studied.”

Microplastics are defined as plastic particles under 5mm in size, and there is evidence that they pose a threat to environmental and public health.[2] While this research did not directly assess how microplastics affect fertility, their detection highlights the need to explore possible implications for human reproductive health.

“What we know from animal studies is that in the tissues where microplastics accumulate, they can induce inflammation, free radical formation, DNA damage, cellular senescence, and endocrine disruptions”, continued Dr Gomez-Sanchez. “It’s possible they could impair egg or sperm quality in humans, but we don’t yet have enough evidence to confirm that.”

The research team plans to expand their analysis to a larger cohort, alongside detailed lifestyle and environmental exposure questionnaires. Further phases of the project will also explore the potential relationship between the presence of microplastics and oocyte and sperm quality.

Dr Gomez-Sanchez stressed that fertility is influenced by many factors, including age, health, and genetics, and that the findings should not cause alarm among those trying to conceive. “There’s no need for alarm at this point. Microplastics are just one of many elements that may play a role in fertility. However, it is sensible to consider ways of reducing our exposure to them. Simple steps, such as using glass containers to store and heat food, or limiting the amount of water we consume from plastic bottles, can help minimise our intake.”

Source: Focus on Reproduction

References:

[1] Gomez-Sanchez, E., et al. (2025) Unveiling the Hidden Danger: Detection and characterisation of microplastics in human follicular and seminal fluids. Human Reproduction. [insert link when available]

[2] Wang, L., Yin, Y., & He, X. (2024). The hidden threat: Unraveling the impact of microplastics on reproductive health. Science of the Total Environment, 912, 173177.

Categories : Environmental EffectsTags :

Recycled Plastic Can Affect Hormone Systems

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A single pellet of recycled plastic can contain over 80 different chemicals. A new study with researchers from University of Gothenburg and Leipzig shows that recycled polyethylene plastic can leach chemicals into water causing impacts in the hormone systems and lipid metabolism of zebrafish larvae.

Increasing gene expressions

In a new study, researchers bought plastic pellets recycled from polyethylene plastic from different parts of the world and let the pellets soak in water for 48 hours. After which zebrafish larvae were exposed to the water for five days. The experimental results show increases in gene expression relating to lipid metabolism, adipogenesis, and endocrine regulation in the larvae. 

“These short leaching times and exposure times are yet another indicator of the risks that chemicals in plastics pose to living organisms. The impacts that we measured show that these exposures have the potential to change the physiology and health of the fish,” says Azora König Kardgar, lead author and researcher in ecotoxicology at the University of Gothenburg.

“Never full knowledge” 

Previous research has shown similar effects to humans, including threats to reproductive health and obesity, from exposure to toxic chemicals in plastics. Some chemicals used as additives in plastics and substances that contaminate plastics are known to disturb hormones, with potential impacts on fertility, child development, links to certain cancers, and metabolic disorders including obesity and diabetes. 

“This is the main obstacle with the idea of recycling plastic. We never have full knowledge of what chemicals will end up in an item made of recycled plastic. And there is also a significant risk of chemical mixing events occuring, which render the recycled plastic toxic,” says Bethanie Carney Almroth, professor at the University of Gothenburg and principal investigator on the project.

Different chemicals in different pellets

Apart from the study on the impact that recycled plastics have on zebra fish larvae, the researcher also conducted a chemical analysis of the chemicals leaching from the plastic pellets to the water. And they found a lot of different chemical compounds, but the mixture altered between different samples of pellets.

“We identified common plastics chemicals, including UV-stabilizers and plasticizers, as well as chemicals that are not used as plastics additives, including pesticides, pharmaceuticals and biocides. These may have contaminated the plastics during their first use phase, prior to becoming waste and being recycled. This is further evidence of the complicated issue of plastics waste flows, and of toxic chemicals contaminating recycled plastics,” says Eric Carmona, researcher at Department of Exposure Science, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research in Leipzig.

“This work clearly demonstrates the need to address toxic chemicals in plastics materials and products, across their life cycle”, says Professor Bethanie Carney Almroth. “We cannot safely produce and use recycled plastics if we cannot trace chemicals throughout production, use and waste phases.”

Source: University of Gothenburg

Categories : Cardiovascular Disease Environmental EffectsTags :

Urinary Metal Exposure Linked to Increased Risk of Heart Failure, Landmark Study Finds

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In addition to cadmium, molybdenum and zinc found to have particularly high risk increases

Right side heart failure. Credit: Scientific Animations CC4.0

A new multi-cohort study at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, has found that exposure to certain metals, detected in urine, is associated with a higher risk of heart failure (HF). Published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, it is the largest investigation of its kind to date, reinforcing the importance of reducing environmental metal exposure to reduce heart failure risk. While environmental metals are recognised as cardiovascular disease risk factors, until now the role of metal exposure in heart failure risk had remained understudied.

“Most previous studies have assessed individual metals in isolation. By examining metals as a mixture, our analysis more closely reflects real-world exposure patterns,” said Irene Martinez-Morata, MD, PhD, postdoctoral research scientist in Environmental Health Sciences at Columbia Mailman School, and lead author. “In our analysis of over 10 000 adults across diverse geographic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds, we observed consistent associations between elevated urinary metal levels and increased HF risk over long-term follow-up after accounting for other established traditional risk factors for the disease such as diabetes and obesity.”

The study pooled data from three large cohorts with more than 20 years of follow-up:

  •  MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis), U.S. adults aged 18–85 from six urban-suburban areas in Maryland, Illinois, North Carolina, California, Minnesota and New York.
  • SHS (Strong Heart Study), American Indian adults aged 18–65 in the U.S. from Oklahoma, Arizona, North Dakota and South Dakota.
  •  Hortega Study, a general population cohort in Spain

Among the 10 861 participants, a thousand people developed heart failure. In a subset, researchers assessed left ventricular function, which measures how effectively the heart pumps blood.

Metals were measured in urine samples, which can indicate how much metal is in the body and how much is being eliminated from it. Health and lifestyle data – including medication use, cholesterol levels, blood pressure, glucose, BMI, and more – were collected via questionnaires, lab tests, and physical exams. The team used advanced machine learning models to evaluate the combined effects of five urinary metals as a mixture.

Key findings included:

  •  Higher levels for the mixture of five metals in urine: arsenic, cadmium, molybdenum, selenium, and zinc, was associated with a 55% higher risk of heart failure in rural American Indian adults (SHS), a 38% higher risk in urban and suburban diverse populations (MESA) and a 8% increased risk in adults in Spain (Hortega).
  •  In the analysis of metals individually, a doubling in the levels of urine cadmium, a toxic metal found in tobacco products, foods and industrial waste, was associated with 15% higher risk of heart failure.
  • Similarly, a doubling in the levels of molybdenum and zinc was associated with 13% and 22% higher risk of heart failure across the three cohorts. These metals have an essential function in the body, but high levels can be toxic.

“The strongest association between the 5-metal mixture and HF risk was seen in the SHS cohort,” said Martinez-Morata. “This population faces a historically high burden of contaminant metal exposure and cardiovascular disease and public health action is urgently needed.”

The sources of exposure to these metals can vary from urban and rural environments. Toxic metals such as arsenic, cadmium, and tungsten can occur as a result of mining and industrial activity leading to contamination of drinking water, foods that grow in contaminated soils, and air pollution. Many of these metals are also present in smoking devices, consumer products, and certain foods, observes Martinez and her co-authors. “Essential metals such as zinc and selenium are needed for biological functions, but high levels can be toxic.”

“We consistently found higher urinary levels of cadmium, molybdenum and zinc linked to increased heart failure risk,” noted Ana Navas-Acien, MD, PhD, Columbia Mailman School professor and chair of the Department of Environmental Health Sciences. “Even after adjusting for diabetes – a known HF risk factor – the zinc association remained significant.”

These results support the relevance of metal exposures as contributors to heart failure risk. “In ongoing research, we aim to clarify biological mechanisms and to explore the role of environmental interventions in cardiovascular disease prevention,” said Navas-Acien, who also is senior author.

“This study’s strengths include its large, diverse sample size, high-quality data, and robust, long-term follow-up,” said Martinez-Morata. “Our findings underscore the importance of continuing efforts to monitor and reduce environmental metal exposures, particularly in communities with historically high exposure levels as an innovative approach to improve cardiovascular health.”

Source: Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health