A preliminary new study finds an association between high levels of microplastics in the ocean and increased rates of cognitive decline in people who live in nearby coastal communities.
Living near an ocean with high levels of microplastics may increase the risk for cognitive decline and other neurological conditions.
A preliminary new study finds an association between microplastics in the water and higher rates of disability in nearby coastal communities.
One author says, “ …there were higher rates of disabilities that can affect a person’s life in many ways through thinking and memory, movement and their ability to take care of themselves and live independently.”
Researchers looked at marine plastic levels in 218 counties in 22 states and ranked them as low, medium, high or very high.
Then they looked at disability rates among nearby residents, including memory and thinking, mobility, self-care and independent living.
Counties with the highest marine microplastic levels showed a 9% higher rate of disability in memory and thinking, a 6% higher disability in mobility, a 16% higher disability in self-care and an 8% higher disability in independent living when compared to counties with the lowest levels.
The researchers stress these results show an association and do not prove that microplastics cause disabilities.
The authors say more research is needed to explore the connection and examine the public health implications of microplastic pollution.
Marine Microplastics Levels and the Prevalence of Neurologic Disability will be presented at the annual AAN meeting in April.
Source: Neurology
Author Affiliations: Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, Cleveland Clinic, Akron General, Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Houston Methodist Hospital
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