health
STOMP: RFK Jr’s New Research Projects into Microplastics Can’t Come Too Soon
A new $144 million HHS project will finally answer some of the most pressing questions about microplastics and their effects on our bodies
TL;DR
- The term 'microplastic' was first coined in 2004, but concerns about their pervasiveness and harm have grown significantly since.
- Over nine billion tons of plastic have been produced, with half since 2004, leading to widespread environmental contamination and breakdown into microplastics and nanoplastics.
- Studies show microplastics are widely distributed, even found in snow on mountains and increasingly in human organs like the brain.
- Microplastic concentrations in the brain have increased by 50% between 2016 and 2024, raising concerns about their impact on health.
- Microplastics are linked to potential increases in chronic diseases and a global fertility crisis.
- A $144 million U.S. Department of Health and Human Services project, STOMP, aims to measure microplastic exposure, identify risks, and develop solutions.