4 ms·

So how dangerous are microplastics to the lungs? Will microplastics become the asbestos of the future?

LinuxBender 7y ago
I don't know how well the types of plastic would compare to asbestos, as that is a very specific risk to the lungs, but I do know that ingesting BPA has a tremendous impact on hormone balance and that has cascading short to long term chronic health problems.
travisporter 7y ago
It troubles me that there are man-made particles in the air and everywhere, but I was shamed on HN 4 months ago for worrying about it. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19673894 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19673894. Not sure how to feel about it now.
- marmaduke 7y ago
  I think the word is 'vindicated'
- mikekchar 7y ago
  It's hard for me to write this well, so before I begin I hope you don't take offense. I think it's easy to feel shame if someone disagrees with you and especially if they take the time to back up their argument with some evidence as the responder to your statement did. However, I think it's kind of an unfortunate reaction. That person gave you a gift -- they spent time out of their day to explain to you why they disagreed. It's not meant to beat you back, or to make you seem stupid (at least from my perspective). Your original comment didn't have any supporting evidence: it was just a statement. While it may very well be true, it's really hard for a reader to judge. I don't know you. I don't know how well you understand the field. If you make a statement, I'm always going to be a bit wary -- because there are a lot more people who are mistaken on the internet when they think they know something, than people who actually know something. As much as possible, I'd like to encourage you to take the time and effort to back up your statements and to share your knowledge in a way that people like me can appreciate. I know it takes time and you may be thinking, "If I need to back up everything I say, then I won't have time to say anything!". However, I think it's fine to pick and choose your moments (BTW, as you might gather from this message, this is something I also struggle with!) If everyone who read HN posted their opinion without spending the time to show how they arrived at that opinion, we would be buried in meaningless arguments. That's why it is so important for people like you, who seem to know something about the subject matter, to spend that time to make a really quality reply. Everyone will benefit, I feel. Perhaps you will disagree, but at the very least I hope you come away with the feeling that it is not necessary to experience shame if someone disagrees with you -- indeed, even if you happen to be wrong. Especially if you are wrong, you are the one that benefits the most because you can learn something new. It really is all good.

I don't know how well the types of plastic would compare to asbestos, as that is a very specific risk to the lungs, but I do know that ingesting BPA has a tremendous impact on hormone balance and that has cascading short to long term chronic health problems.

travisporter 7y ago

It troubles me that there are man-made particles in the air and everywhere, but I was shamed on HN 4 months ago for worrying about it. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19673894 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19673894. Not sure how to feel about it now.

marmaduke 7y ago
I think the word is 'vindicated'
mikekchar 7y ago
It's hard for me to write this well, so before I begin I hope you don't take offense. I think it's easy to feel shame if someone disagrees with you and especially if they take the time to back up their argument with some evidence as the responder to your statement did. However, I think it's kind of an unfortunate reaction. That person gave you a gift -- they spent time out of their day to explain to you why they disagreed. It's not meant to beat you back, or to make you seem stupid (at least from my perspective). Your original comment didn't have any supporting evidence: it was just a statement. While it may very well be true, it's really hard for a reader to judge. I don't know you. I don't know how well you understand the field. If you make a statement, I'm always going to be a bit wary -- because there are a lot more people who are mistaken on the internet when they think they know something, than people who actually know something. As much as possible, I'd like to encourage you to take the time and effort to back up your statements and to share your knowledge in a way that people like me can appreciate. I know it takes time and you may be thinking, "If I need to back up everything I say, then I won't have time to say anything!". However, I think it's fine to pick and choose your moments (BTW, as you might gather from this message, this is something I also struggle with!) If everyone who read HN posted their opinion without spending the time to show how they arrived at that opinion, we would be buried in meaningless arguments. That's why it is so important for people like you, who seem to know something about the subject matter, to spend that time to make a really quality reply. Everyone will benefit, I feel. Perhaps you will disagree, but at the very least I hope you come away with the feeling that it is not necessary to experience shame if someone disagrees with you -- indeed, even if you happen to be wrong. Especially if you are wrong, you are the one that benefits the most because you can learn something new. It really is all good.