By Abdullahi Lukman
Alarming preliminary research has revealed the presence of micro and nanoplastics embedded within the carotid arteries, the vital blood vessels supplying the human brain, prompting an urgent call for further investigation into the potential health risks.
The shocking discovery, led by Dr. Ross Clark, a vascular surgeon and assistant professor at the University of New Mexico, was unveiled at the American Heart Association’s Vascular Discovery: From Genes to Medicine Scientific Sessions held in Baltimore from April 22 to 25, 2025.
Dr. Clark’s team found significantly higher concentrations of these tiny plastic particles in the carotid arteries of individuals who had experienced strokes or stroke-like symptoms.
Stroke survivors exhibited 51 times more plastic particles in their arterial plaque compared to those with healthy arteries. Even individuals with arterial plaque but no stroke symptoms had 16 times more plastic contamination.
These findings have triggered a strong reaction from Swedish water and beverage company Bluewater, with founder and CEO Bengt Rittri describing them as a “red alert.”
He emphasized that this discovery signifies that plastic pollution is no longer limited to the external environment but has infiltrated our bodies and may be jeopardizing critical biological systems.
The research builds upon increasing evidence of microplastic contamination in various human tissues and fluids, including the lungs, liver, placenta, breast milk, urine, and even brain tissue.
While the precise health impacts remain under investigation, the study observed disruptions in gene activity and immune response in patients with high levels of arterial plaques, changes that could potentially destabilize these plaques and elevate the risk of stroke or heart attack.
Dr. Clark cautioned against drawing definitive conclusions at this early stage but stressed the urgency of further research, stating that the high amounts of plastic particles found in the arteries should be a cause for alarm.
In response to these findings, Bluewater is urging the international scientific, medical, and policy communities to prioritize research into the health implications of microplastics found within the human body.
Given the unavoidable presence of microplastics in food, water, and air, the company asserts that understanding their impact on human health has become an essential imperative.
Bluewater has pledged its commitment to supporting scientific and public health efforts aimed at mitigating the negative effects of single-use plastics.
