Microplastics and the delicate balance

Searching for evidence of microplastic contamination, scientists at the University of New Mexico analyzed 23 human testis samples from the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator that were earmarked for disposal . They also obtained tissue from 47 recently neutered dogs. All the samples contained microplastics. In humans, the average concentration was 328.44 μg/g; in dogs, it was 122.63. The researchers found all the most industrially significant polymers. In both species, the most predominant polymer was polyethylene, the polymer sold around the world at the highest volume. The study also noted a negative correlation between some of the plastics and testis weight, an indication, possibly, of lower sperm counts. In recent years, study after study has detected the presence of microplastics in sensitive tissues. For example, in February, a team consisting of many of the same University of New Mexico researchers reported finding microplastics in all 62 placentas it