Photo Credit = X On December 3, 2024, South Korea was once again caught in the midst of a great historical upheaval. President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law under the pretext of national security, and the military seized control of major cities. Freedoms of assembly and expression were suppressed, and the daily lives of citizens were strictly monitored. Yet, even under such control, there was a generation determined not to remain silent: South Korea's MZ generation. The MZ generation found their own unique way of resisting—not through traditional means, but with lightsticks in hand, illuminating the darkness of oppression and showing their support for democracy. Lightsticks, symbols of the K-POP fandom, had long represented the unity and passion of music lovers. But that night, they took on a far greater meaning. They became a symbol of hope and support for democracy. In the streets of Seoul, citizens gathered with their lightsticks, creating a stunning display of diversity an...
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| Photo Credit = Pixabay |
Microplastics are tiny particles generated as plastic materials break down under environmental factors like friction and light. Although there is no universal definition, the term typically includes microplastics (less than 5 mm) and nanoplastics (less than 1 µm).
The rising concern over microplastics stems from their potential health risks. Studies have shown that microplastics are present in the air we breathe, drinking water, food, and everyday products like toothpaste, lotion, and shampoo.
Experts warn that when microplastics enter the body through the respiratory system, digestive tract, or damaged skin, they can accumulate in tissues, potentially leading to long-term issues such as obesity, inflammation, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, genetic mutations, reproductive toxicity, and even cancer.
Microplastics Found in Blood Vessels
A study published earlier this year in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) by researchers at Luigi Vanvitelli University in Italy revealed microplastics in the blood vessels of patients. The team analyzed blood clots from 304 atherosclerosis patients and found polyethylene (PE) in 150 cases and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in 31 cases.
Patients with microplastics in their blood vessels were 4.5 times more likely to suffer from strokes, heart disease, or premature death compared to those without. A follow-up study published in the European Heart Journal suggested that microplastics might induce oxidative stress, cellular aging, inflammation, and metabolic changes, further elevating cardiovascular risk.
In Korea, researchers discovered that microplastics could also enter the body through artificial tears. A team led by Professor Donghyun Kim from Korea University Anam Hospital analyzed five commercial artificial tear products containing hyaluronic acid and found microplastics in most of them.
Their study revealed that the first drop from four out of five products contained an average of 0.5 microplastic particles per 30 mL, while the remaining liquid contained an average of 0.74 particles per 30 mL. The microplastics ranged in size from 5 µm to 100 µm and appeared in various shapes, including irregular fragments (55%), fibers (40%), and rounded particles (5%).
The team attributed the contamination to the plastic containers used for artificial tears, which may release microplastics under heat and pressure. They recommended discarding the first two drops before use to minimize exposure. The study estimated that using artificial tears without this precaution could expose users to 730 microplastic particles annually, while discarding two drops could reduce the exposure to approximately 204 particles per year.
The researchers also noted that microplastics smaller than 10 µm could penetrate the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory system, reproductive organs, and even the brain, spreading throughout the body within an hour.
Need for Regulatory Guidelines
Currently, there are no specific safety guidelines addressing microplastics in artificial tears. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in South Korea recommends discarding the first one or two drops of single-use eye drops to remove potential plastic debris, based on a 2021 guideline for disposable eye drops.
Professor Kim emphasized the growing use of artificial tears among dry eye patients, with over 7.92 million prescriptions in Korea in 2021—a 6.7% increase over five years. He stressed the importance of proper usage to reduce health risks, urging healthcare providers to avoid excessive prescriptions and encouraging patients to follow safe practices.
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