Microplastics have been detected in human penis samples for the first time, raising questions about whether they could cause erectile dysfunction.
Microplastics – tiny plastic particles less than 5mm in diameter – are found in almost everything on Earth, from the poles and ocean floor to salt and bottled drinks.
It has also been found in semen and testes.
The toxic particles affect the human immune system and have been linked to several types of cancer.
According to a study published in the journal Men’s Health, the penis may be especially vulnerable due to increased blood flow during an erection. Ijil on wednesday.
“To our knowledge, we present the first study to identify the presence of MPs in penile tissue,” the study states.
“Our study focuses on microplastics in the male reproductive system and adds an important dimension to the discussion on anthropogenic contaminants.”
The scientists analysed tissue samples taken from five men who had undergone prosthetic surgery related to erectile dysfunction.
“Seven types of microplastics were found in the penile tissue, with polyethylene terephthalate and polypropylene being the most abundant,” the researchers said.
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polypropylene are used routinely in everyday products, such as the material used in packaging for juice and soft drinks.
Despite the small sample size, the study raises questions about the impact of pollutants on sexual health.
Scientists suspect that vasodilation during erection creates an environment in which circulating microplastics can interact and accumulate in penile tissue.
The study notes that microplastics “are pervasive in our environment and will continue to be present in the foreseeable future; therefore, understanding how they interact with the human body is essential to understanding their potential impacts on human health and physiology.”
