Microplastics have been in 'pristine streams' for half a Century — what could that mean for Human Health?
"The inclusion of plastic in the casing of a caddisfly means plastic is entering the food chain since the early 70’s," said lead study author [Auke-Florian Hiemstra].
Check my Image Description’s
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969725005820?via%3Dihub
![“Scientists are still working to understand exactly how microplastics and the chemicals within plastics [such as phthalates and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)] might affect our bodies”, Tracey Woodruff, a professor at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) who studies how pollutants affect reproductive and developmental health, told.
<https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/362049/9789240054608-eng.pdf>
Early research has linked plastic exposure to the risk of various health conditions, including heart disease, lung disorders, cancer and Alzheimer's disease. In each of these cases, the link is correlative, so it's not clear if or how the plastics might be contributing to the diseases. In addition, in lab-dish studies, some types of plastics appear to be relatively harmless, while others have been shown to kill human cells in vitro.
In 2024, Woodruff and her team at UCSF's Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment published a systematic review of nearly 2,000 studies on the health effects of microplastics as part of a California state-commissioned report aimed at guiding policy decisions. The review identified potential health effects on respiratory, digestive and reproductive health, and particularly on sperm.
<https://uccs.ucdavis.edu/sites/g/files/dgvnsk12071/files/media/documents/CalSPEC-Report-Microplastics-Occurrence-Health%20Effects-and-Mitigation-Policies.pdf>](https://nerdculture.de/system/media_attachments/files/114/427/173/159/679/953/original/ec6eda6a2229dac2.jpeg "“Scientists are still working to understand exactly how microplastics and the chemicals within plastics [such as phthalates and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)] might affect our bodies”, Tracey Woodruff, a professor at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) who studies how pollutants affect reproductive and developmental health, told.
<https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/362049/9789240054608-eng.pdf>
Early research has linked plastic exposure to the risk of various health conditions, including heart disease, lung disorders, cancer and Alzheimer's disease. In each of these cases, the link is correlative, so it's not clear if or how the plastics might be contributing to the diseases. In addition, in lab-dish studies, some types of plastics appear to be relatively harmless, while others have been shown to kill human cells in vitro.
In 2024, Woodruff and her team at UCSF's Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment published a systematic review of nearly 2,000 studies on the health effects of microplastics as part of a California state-commissioned report aimed at guiding policy decisions. The review identified potential health effects on respiratory, digestive and reproductive health, and particularly on sperm.
<https://uccs.ucdavis.edu/sites/g/files/dgvnsk12071/files/media/documents/CalSPEC-Report-Microplastics-Occurrence-Health%20Effects-and-Mitigation-Policies.pdf>")
![[ImageSource: Auke-Florian Hiemstra]
This caddisfly casing from 1971 has microplastic in it, the researchers found.
Microplastic pollution from industrial waste has been contaminating freshwater ecosystems for decades, with evidence pointing to this run-off starting in the 1950s to 1970s. Now, though, new evidence suggests the extent of that pollution might be even broader than once thought.
In a study published in the journal Science of The Total Environment, scientists examined the larvae of caddisflies, small insects that build protective casings around themselves using plant material, sand and small stones in their environment. These casings, gathered in the 1970s and 1980s, came from clear, spring-fed streams in the Netherlands that were considered pristine at the time.
⚠️However, the study revealed that the larvae were incorporating plastic particles into their protective casings as early as 1971 — in other words, microplastics had infiltrated even these seemingly untouched ecosystems.⚠️](https://nerdculture.de/system/media_attachments/files/114/427/173/870/042/116/original/12189f167a58a73a.jpeg "[ImageSource: Auke-Florian Hiemstra]
This caddisfly casing from 1971 has microplastic in it, the researchers found.
Microplastic pollution from industrial waste has been contaminating freshwater ecosystems for decades, with evidence pointing to this run-off starting in the 1950s to 1970s. Now, though, new evidence suggests the extent of that pollution might be even broader than once thought.
In a study published in the journal Science of The Total Environment, scientists examined the larvae of caddisflies, small insects that build protective casings around themselves using plant material, sand and small stones in their environment. These casings, gathered in the 1970s and 1980s, came from clear, spring-fed streams in the Netherlands that were considered pristine at the time.
⚠️However, the study revealed that the larvae were incorporating plastic particles into their protective casings as early as 1971 — in other words, microplastics had infiltrated even these seemingly untouched ecosystems.⚠️")
![[ImageSource: Pasquale Ciliberti and Isabel van der Velden]
A close-up of a caddisfly casing from 1986.
Microplastics are tiny fragments of synthetic polymers that can take anywhere from hundreds to thousands of years to degrade. They're defined as being between 1 micrometer and 5 millimeters long.
Today, they seem to be found virtually everywhere: in clouds, the air we breathe, food, drinking water and human blood and breast milk. These particles stem from the breakdown of larger plastics, and in some cases, they are intentionally manufactured for use in certain cosmetics and cleaning products.
<https://magazine.hms.harvard.edu/articles/microplastics-everywhere>
Research suggests that the human body clears out some larger microplastics measuring up to 150 micrometers long, while fragments smaller than 10 micrometers may be absorbed into tissues. But recent research suggests that some plastics in our bodies are even tinier than that.
<https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412024000308>
While what qualifies as "nanoplastic" is still under debate, these ultrasmall particles are typically considered to be any plastic fragments smaller than 1 micrometer (or 1,000 nanometers) in diameter. A human hair, by comparison, is around 80,000 nanometers wide. Nanoplastics are small enough to potentially pass through cell membranes, studies suggest.
<https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0278691521006426?via%3Dihub>](https://nerdculture.de/system/media_attachments/files/114/427/174/635/200/687/original/76e100bc273b3864.jpeg "[ImageSource: Pasquale Ciliberti and Isabel van der Velden]
A close-up of a caddisfly casing from 1986.
Microplastics are tiny fragments of synthetic polymers that can take anywhere from hundreds to thousands of years to degrade. They're defined as being between 1 micrometer and 5 millimeters long.
Today, they seem to be found virtually everywhere: in clouds, the air we breathe, food, drinking water and human blood and breast milk. These particles stem from the breakdown of larger plastics, and in some cases, they are intentionally manufactured for use in certain cosmetics and cleaning products.
<https://magazine.hms.harvard.edu/articles/microplastics-everywhere>
Research suggests that the human body clears out some larger microplastics measuring up to 150 micrometers long, while fragments smaller than 10 micrometers may be absorbed into tissues. But recent research suggests that some plastics in our bodies are even tinier than that.
<https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412024000308>
While what qualifies as \"nanoplastic\" is still under debate, these ultrasmall particles are typically considered to be any plastic fragments smaller than 1 micrometer (or 1,000 nanometers) in diameter. A human hair, by comparison, is around 80,000 nanometers wide. Nanoplastics are small enough to potentially pass through cell membranes, studies suggest.
<https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0278691521006426?via%3Dihub>")
I found it! The weakest link! 
I also found a few other things:
That Yato 3 ton farm jack is proper strong (although the foot is slightly crooked now).
This post, unlikely all the others, was concreted in. So I was trying to pull the steel out of the concrete, which lead to chain failure.
DIY store chain is poorly welded.
Cheap crap stainless U-shackles from a random chandlery are sometimes surprisingly strong!
Dear Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf:
Your Pure Chocolate drink needs chocolate in it.
Sincerely,
Me.
My new NFT collection of colorful, fun, funky digital hairstyles!
#nft #art #artist #collection #digitalArt #collectibles #color #colorful #fun #unique #mastoart #hair #goth #punk #funk #imagination #grunge #feathers #purple #red #green #blue #beauty #chain #jewelry #style #boho #portrait #male #female #stylish #artwork #artistic #gift #eclectic #quirky #token
My OC, Coyote, posing with a staff, by https://bsky.app/profile/calypsolarts.bsky.social. This is the model she trains with. The one she uses in actual combat is more distinctive.
Mediterranean restaurant chain Cava to open in Warwick https://www.diningandcooking.com/2024581/mediterranean-restaurant-chain-cava-to-open-in-warwick/ #Cava #Chain #FastCasual #Mediterranean #MediterraneanCuisine #Opening #restaurant #RhodeIsland #Warwick
Bunch of pulling/lifting stuff arrived. Should help with getting logs out of the forest.
Ultimately I'm dreaming about adding one of those 12V six ton winches to one of the trailers. Perhaps add a lifting arch, or convert to a logging arch, not sure yet.
[#TRADESHOW] The #CLNB 2025 – New #Energy #Industry #Chain #Expo will take place from April 16 to 18, 2025, at the #Suzhou #International #Exhibition #Center, #China. As a premier #platform in the #NewEnergy #sector, this highly anticipated #event unites top #global #enterprises, industry leaders, and cutting-edge #innovations to advance the #future of #batteries, energy #storage, and #renewable energy #solutions. https://cnbusinessforum.com/event/clnb-2025-new-energy-industry-chain-expo/
Baywatch Nights 1x06 - 976 Ways to Say I Love You
A bust of my OC, Coyote, by https://bsky.app/profile/ylilish.bsky.social.
Necklace allergies
do NOT make you an expert
in chain reactions.
'Beinahe übersehen' #FotoVorschlag
Aus dem Augenwinkel, im Vorbeifahren, habe ich das leuchtende Birkenblatt, gerade noch gesehen.
Google has announced some impressive updates to its Gemini AI platform. The stand-out feature is Gemini's new ability to chain actions together.
#google #gemini #ai #chain #actions
https://www.techradar.com/computing/artificial-intelligence/google-has-just-announced-the-ability-to-chain-actions-in-gemini-and-it-could-change-the-way-we-use-ai-for-good
