A new study finds microplastic pollution in human testicles. Scientists say the discovery may be linked to decades-long decline in sperm counts in men around the world.

They tested 23 human testes, as well as 47 testes from pet dogs and found microplastic pollution in every sample.

Sperm counts in men have been falling for decades, with chemical pollution such as pesticides implicated by many studies. Microplastics have also recently been discovered in human blood, placentas and breast milk, indicating widespread contamination of people’s bodies. The full impact on health is as yet unknown but microplastics have been shown to cause damage to human cells in the laboratory.

Scary stuff, let us know what you think in the comments below ⬇️

#humanpollution #microplastics #plasticpollution #newstudy #pollutionresearch

Human faeces in our rivers is putting the public in danger and the risk will only increase without action, the UK’s top engineers and scientists have warned in a new report led by the Royal Academy of Engineering.

It’s called for an upgrade of the UK’s sewage system and more widespread testing of the country’s waterways.

And Prof Chris Whitty - England’s chief medical officer - said it was a “public health priority as well as an environmental one”, so it’s time to pay attention.

The report also recommends that any data from more regular testing of the rivers should be made available to the public so they can keep themselves safe - something we at Planet Patrol are already doing, but we need government to step up and support, not just focus on designated bathing sites.

Don’t miss @c4dispatches tonight at 8pm to find out who was the biggest polluting brand in 2023 and consecutively for the last five years, as @ellieflynnn and our founder @lizzie_outside chat about #cocacolasdirtysecrets!

2023 Litter Report coming soon, sign up now via our website to be the first to get all the juicy deets.

#data #environmentaldata #litterdata #cocacola #citizenscience #peoplepowereddata #c4dispatches