Moffatt‐Bruce, Susan D.

Background Although micro‐ and nanoplastics are an emerging risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases, the association of marine microplastic levels (MMLs) with the burden of cardiometabolic diseases at a population level remains unexplored. We investigated the relationship between the mean microplastic concentration in ocean water within 200 nautical miles of the US coastline and the prevalence of type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease, and stroke in nearby counties. Methods Microplastic concentration data within 200 nautical miles of the US coastline were geospatially analyzed to calculate mean MMLs. The coastal counties were stratified into 4 categories based on MMLs in the adjacent ocean water body: low, medium, high, or very high. The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 2019 to 2020 survey data were used to identify the prevalence of type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease, and stroke in these counties. Univariate and population‐weighted multivariate quasi‐Poisson regression, adjusted for county‐level confounding variables, was used to evaluate the unadjusted and adjusted associations between disease prevalence and MMLs. Results The mean age of the population was 43±6 years. After adjusting for age, sex, physician access, and socioenvironmental vulnerabilities at the county level, counties with very high MMLs exhibited an 18%, 7%, and 9% higher adjusted prevalence of type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease, and stroke, respectively, compared with those with low levels. Conclusion Marine microplastic levels were significantly associated with the prevalence of cardiometabolic diseases in coastal counties. Comprehensive studies at an individual level are needed to further investigate the health impacts of microplastic pollution.

ABSTRACTBackgroundMicroplastics are emerging as environmental pollutants with potential neurotoxic effects, yet their association with neurological disabilities remains largely unexplored.MethodsIn this cross‐sectional study comprising 218 coastal counties in the United States, we compared the self‐reported prevalence of cognitive disability, mobility disability, self‐care disability, and independent living disability in counties with very high and low marine microplastic levels (MMLs). Unadjusted and adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) were computed using population‐weighted quasi‐Poisson regression across three different models to examine the relationship between disability prevalence and MMLs.ResultsCounties exposed to very high marine microplastic levels had a higher mean prevalence of self‐reported cognitive disability (15.2% vs. 13.9%), mobility disability (14.1% vs. 12.3%), self‐care disability (4.2% vs. 3.6%), and independent living disability (8.5% vs. 7.7%) compared to those exposed to low levels (p < 0.001). Regression analyses revealed significantly elevated adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) for cognitive (PR: 1.09 [95% CI: 1.06–1.12], p < 0.001), mobility (PR: 1.06 [1.03–1.10], p < 0.001), self‐care (PR: 1.16 [1.11–1.20], p < 0.001), and independent living disability (PR: 1.08 [1.05–1.12], p < 0.001) in counties with very high microplastic exposure compared to those with low exposure.ConclusionsThis study highlights a significant association between marine microplastic pollution and the self‐reported prevalence of cognitive, mobility, self‐care, and independent living disabilities at the county level. While merely associative, these findings emphasize the urgent need for further investigation into the individual‐level health impacts of microplastic exposure and underscore the importance of environmental interventions to mitigate potential risks.