Microplastics Found in All Human Semen Samples in Study
Researchers Call for Urgent Investigation into Reproductive Health Impacts
Microplastic pollution has been detected in every human semen sample tested in a recent study, raising concerns about the potential harm to reproductive health. The study, conducted by Chinese scientists, found that all 40 semen samples from healthy men undergoing premarital health assessments in Jinan, China, contained microplastics.
Sperm counts in men have been declining for decades, with 40% of low counts remaining unexplained. Many studies have implicated chemical pollution as a contributing factor. This new research adds to the growing evidence that microplastics could be a significant threat to male reproductive health.
Recent studies in Italy and China have also found microplastics in the semen of young men. In addition, research on mice has shown that microplastics can reduce sperm count and cause abnormalities and hormone disruption. These findings suggest that microplastic exposure may pose a chronic, cumulative risk to male reproductive health.
The research, published in the journal Science of the Total Environment, detected eight different types of plastics in the semen samples. Polystyrene, commonly used for packaging, was the most prevalent, followed by polyethylene and PVC. These particles may cause inflammation in tissue or harm through the chemicals they release.
Microplastics have been found in various human tissues, including blood, placentas, and breast milk, indicating widespread contamination. The full impact on health is still unknown, but laboratory studies have shown that microplastics can damage human cells.
Millions of tonnes of plastic waste are dumped into the environment, breaking down into microplastics that pollute the entire planet. People ingest these particles through food, water, and air. Ning Li of Qingdao University in China, a lead researcher in the study, emphasized the need for further research: “As emerging research increasingly implicates microplastic exposure as a potential factor impacting human health, understanding the extent of human contamination and its relation to reproductive outcomes is imperative.”
Luigi Montano of the University of Rome, who led a related study in Italy, echoed the call for action: “Intervention is necessary to stop the exponential increase in plastic waste. If microplastic pollution impacts the critical reproductive process, it may prove to be even worse for our species in the not-too-distant future.”
More than 180 nations are negotiating a UN treaty to regulate plastic use and cut pollution, highlighting the global recognition of the problem. As research on microplastics and their effects on human health continues, the urgency to address this issue grows.
