A groundbreaking study published in the New England Journal of Medicine reveals a significant association between microplastic and nanoplastic contamination in carotid artery tissues and cardiovascular health risks. Led by Raffaele Marfella from the University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, the research found that individuals with plastic particles in their arteries faced double the risk of heart attack, stroke, or death within three years compared to those without such contamination. The study marks the first human research linking plastics to cardiovascular diseases, raising concerns about their health impacts. Dr. Philip Landrigan of Boston College highlighted the urgency of addressing these findings, questioning whether plastic exposure should be recognized as a cardiovascular risk factor and expressing concerns about its effects on other organs, especially nanoplastics' potential to disrupt cellular processes and introduce harmful chemicals. While previous studies detected plastics in various human ti ssues and bodily fluids, their full health implications remain uncertain. Amidst growing concerns, experts stress the need for further research to understand and mitigate plastic exposure. Source: Oman News Agency