2026, Number 2
Cardiovasc Metab Sci 2026; 37 (2)
Microplastic and nanoplastic pollution and cardiovascular health
Meaney, Eduardo
ABSTRACT
The widespread use of plastic products is a hallmark of modern times. It is estimated that millions of tons of plastic are produced on an annual basis and utilized in over 1,000 different ways. A subset of these plastics becomes integrated into our daily environment and habits, such as industrial products like tires, cosmetics, and personal care items, textiles, processed nutritional products, and contaminated fresh vegetable or animal foods, among myriad others. Unfortunately, many of these organic and inorganic materials are used only once and become waste that is both biodegradation-resistant and highly contaminating. Some of these materials take centuries (literally) to degrade.