Microplastics have been found all over the world – and the human body (Picture: Getty)
Scientists have discovered microplastics in the human penis for the first time, raising concerns about their effect on sexual health.
Researchers tested tissue samples from six patients who underwent surgery for erectile dysfunction and found the tiny particles present in 80% of samples.
In the ‘groundbreaking’ study, published in Nature IJIR, scientists found seven types of microplastics in the tissue samples and said their research ‘raised questions about the potential consequences of microplastic exposure on erectile function’.
Dr Ranjith Ramaswamy, co-author of the study, said: ‘We identified microplastics in the penises of men with erectile dysfunction, which is not normal to find in the penis.
‘This is not surprising though, given that it has previously been identified in the heart and blood vessels.
‘We did not link the presence of microplastics and erectile dysfunction in the study, so we do not know if these particles are a cause of erectile dysfunction.’
Plastic food containers are a common source of microplastics (Picture: Getty)
Microplastics are small pieces of plastic less than five millimetres long, usually resulting from larger items breaking down. They have been found all over the planet, including the Antarctic and the deepest parts of the ocean.
The most common types found by researchers were polyethylene terephthalate, which is present in food packaging, and polypropylene which is found in plastic bottles and plastic containers.
They can get into the body through ingestion, inhalation or skin contact, and there have been concerns that the small particles could build up in the body and react with tissues and fluids, causing toxic effects.
The study comes after previous research suggested microplastics could reduce sperm count and sperm quality, as a decline in male fertility is being seen across the globe.
What are microplastics?
Put simply, microplastics are tiny particles of plastic.
US-based organisation NOAA – aka the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration – defines microplastic as being 5mm in diameter or less, or ‘the size of a sesame seed’.
There are also two types of microplastics: primary and secondary.
Primary microplastics are those produced directly as microparticles, such as microbeads – the little plasticky balls you used to get sometimes in toothpaste and cosmetics like exfoliating skincare gels and scrubs.
These have already been banned in the UK, US and Canada.
Another example is a microfibre from polyester, nylon or acrylic clothing.
Secondary microplastics refer to larger plastic products that have broken down into smaller pieces – such as plastic bottles, food packaging and tyres.
Microplastics are harmful to both the environment and humans. They have been found across the planet and throughout our bodies, with a growing number of scientific studies revealing the harm they can cause.
They are also almost impossible to avoid. Plastic production has increased enormously since the 1950s, and plastics take hundreds of years to decompose.
The tissue samples from the men, who were all undergoing inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) surgery, were analysed using infrared microscopy, and an electron microscope was used to look at the shape of the molecules.
The scientists, from Miami and Germany, found eight in ten samples had microplastics detected, which ranged in size from 20 to 500 micrometres.
Researchers said the increased blood flow to the penis during erections and the expansion of tissues during this time could make the penis vulnerable to a build-up of microplastics.
Many of the samples contained polypropylene, which is often used to make plastic bottles (Picture: Getty)
They added that the study raised ‘compelling questions about microplastics’ potential influence on erectile function’ in the ongoing discussion around environmental pollutants and health.
Dr Ramasamy said: ‘Future research needs to be done to focus on what levels of microplastics are seen and whether they are associated with erectile dysfunction.’