Month: September 2023

The Intricate Relationship Between Plastic Pollution, Air Pollution, and Human Health

Sotirios PapathanasiouLeave a comment

The world is grappling with an abundance of environmental challenges, two of the most critical being plastic pollution and air pollution. Although seemingly disparate, these two issues are more intertwined than we might think, especially when considering their impact on human health. Recent studies have shed light on the presence of microplastics in the human body, a discovery that links plastic pollution and air pollution in a direct and alarming way.

Understanding Plastic and Air Pollution

Plastic pollution refers to the accumulation of plastic objects and particles in the Earth’s environment, including our oceans, lands, and even the air we breathe. This pollution takes many forms such as bags, bottles, microbeads, and tiny particles known as microplastics (less than 5mm in size).

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Gender Differences in Exposure and Health Risks of Air Pollutants

Sotirios PapathanasiouLeave a comment

Air pollution, a significant environmental health issue, affects everyone. However, there is growing research evidence showing that the health effects of air pollution may not be the same for men and women. This difference is driven by biological, socio-economic, and occupational factors that can influence exposure levels and health outcomes.

Biological Differences

In terms of biological differences, women have a higher percentage of body lipids than men, which can accumulate fat-soluble pollutants. This can lead to a higher concentration of certain pollutants in women, potentially increasing their risk of health effects. For example, a study published in the journal ‘Environmental Research’ in 2018 showed that women exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a group of chemicals released from burning coal, oil, gasoline, and tobacco, had higher levels of DNA damage than men exposed to the same levels of PAHs.

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