Microscopic plastics could raise risk of stroke and heart attack, study says

Researchers in Naples reported that people whose arterial plaques contained microplastics or nanoplastics were nearly five times more likely to suffer a stroke, heart attack or death from any cause over the following 34 months. Dr Raffaele Marfella, first author at the University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, said the study examined plaques from 304 patients with carotid artery atherosclerosis, and that polyethylene was found in 150 patients and polyvinyl chloride in 31. The article notes that the findings do not prove plastic particles cause strokes and heart attacks, and that further work is needed to confirm a role.