4 ms·
"A total of 304 patients were enrolled in the study, and 257 completed a mean (±SD) follow-up of 33.7±6.9 months. Polyethylene was detected in carotid artery pl
by ortusdux 3y ago
"A total of 304 patients were enrolled in the study, and 257 completed a mean (±SD) follow-up of 33.7±6.9 months. Polyethylene was detected in carotid artery plaque of 150 patients (58.4%), with a mean level of 21.7±24.5 μg per milligram of plaque; 31 patients (12.1%) also had measurable amounts of polyvinyl chloride, with a mean level of 5.2±2.4 μg per milligram of plaque."
- 21.7±24.5 μg per milligram is 0% to 4.62% by weight
- 5.2±2.4 μg per milligram is 0% to 0.76% by weight
This means that some patients' plaque contained up to 5% plastic.
- daniel_reetz 3y agoThe specific polymers are pretty interesting. PVC - from plumbing? It's hard to imagine other environmental sources. We're not drinking from PVC cups or eating from PVC plates. I personally would have expected to see particulates from food prep surfaces (teflon pans disintegrating during cooking) since ingestion is a likely path into the body. Polyethylene - perhaps it's polyethylene terephthalate. Basically any soda or water bottle.
- ortusdux 3y agoI'd imagine that fat solubility plays a significant role, but the study describes the plastic particles as large and jagged when viewed under and SEM.
- sillystuff 3y agoPEX pipe, used in most recently built houses instead of copper, is polyethylene.