Microplastics Discovered In Human Penises For the First Time (cnn.com) 81
An anonymous reader writes: Scientists have found microplastics in human penises for the first time, as concerns over the tiny particles' proliferation and potential health effects mount. Seven different kinds of microplastics were found in four out of five samples of penis tissue taken from five different men as part of a study published in IJIR: Your Sexual Medicine Journal on Wednesday. Microplastics are polymer fragments that can range from less than 0.2 inch (5 millimeters) down to 1/25,000th of an inch (1 micrometer). Anything smaller is a nanoplastic that must be measured in billionths of a meter. They form when larger plastics break down, either by chemically degrading or physically wearing down into smaller pieces.
Some minuscule particles can invade individual cells and tissues in major organs, experts say, and evidence is mounting that they are increasingly present in our bodies. Study lead author Ranjith Ramasamy, an expert in reproductive urology who conducted the research while working at the University of Miami, told CNN that he used a previous study that found evidence of microplastics in the human heart as a basis for his research. Ramasamy said he wasn't surprised to find microplastics in the penis, as it is a "very vascular organ," like the heart.
Some minuscule particles can invade individual cells and tissues in major organs, experts say, and evidence is mounting that they are increasingly present in our bodies. Study lead author Ranjith Ramasamy, an expert in reproductive urology who conducted the research while working at the University of Miami, told CNN that he used a previous study that found evidence of microplastics in the human heart as a basis for his research. Ramasamy said he wasn't surprised to find microplastics in the penis, as it is a "very vascular organ," like the heart.
That could be why... (Score:3)
That could be why my penis really got bigger after I tried some products my friends said were obviously scams. Microplastics inflating it, I eat a lot of fishes! Oh well, maybe my friends were right after all.
Re: (Score:2, Informative)
The jokes write themselves. Too easy. I'll take a pass on this one.
Re: (Score:1)
The jokes write themselves. Too easy. I'll take a pass on this one.
Jokes? That was no joke! I started to eat a lot of fishes at the same time I took those enlarging products because a friend of mine is a fisherman who gives me the cheap fishes for free and with the current prices of groceries, I am to broke to buy meat anymore.
Why do you make fun of and ridicule me? Do you think my friends were right too?
Re: (Score:2)
Exactly. Point reaffirmed.
Re: (Score:3, Funny)
In other news, silicone and plastics also found, in large amounts, in women's breasts.
Re: (Score:2)
So, which is worse, microplastics in his penis, or sand in her vagina?
Re: (Score:2)
How micro is your penis that even microplastics inflates it?
Discount Enlargement (Score:2)
Why get enlargement surgery at all if you can't afford a larger insert than a micro sized one?
Is there a way to move the microplastic to the outside to create a bumpy texture?
You don't need a dildo lady, I've got all the plastic you need right here.
My woman sucks so hard, all my micro plastic is now in my penis.
Students, we can tell how big humans were during the plastic age because of the plastic particles their bodys' left behind.
Sorry I'm limp, I've got to soak my penis in acetone to unclog the arteries.
Duh (Score:4, Informative)
If they're found in seman [slashdot.org], why wouldn't they be found in the penis?
Just wait until we're told microplastics are found in the uterus.
Re: (Score:3)
Microplastics are found everywhere.
TFA is just stupid clickbait.
It would've only been newsworthy if they didn't find microplastics.
Re: (Score:1)
Microplastics in neurons make people dupe dupe stories.
Re: (Score:2)
We have left the nostalgic era of the dupe dupe behind and entered in the new age of the dupe dupe dupe!
Re: (Score:1)
A late 50's tune fad.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Well, shit.
Re: (Score:2)
If they're found in seman [slashdot.org], why wouldn't they be found in the penis?
Just wait until we're told microplastics are found in the uterus.
Or human fetuses - more worrying,
Re: Duh (Score:1)
Plastic in the fetus, rise of AI, sounds like an Isaac Asimov story come to life.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Well the semen thing wasn't a surprise. Everyone knows microplastics are stored in the balls.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
If they're found in seman [slashdot.org], why wouldn't they be found in the penis?
Just wait until we're told microplastics are found in the uterus.
We all know that they are found in sea men, but what I really want to know is if they are also present in Aqua Man - I've always suspected that one of his superpowers is the ability to filter the microplastic out of his semen.
Re: (Score:2)
The penis is flesh and blood. Semen is neither of those things.
This is significant because to get hard you need to pump blood into your dick. Erectile dysfunction happens when the blood flow is impeded. Any foreign substance in there can have a negative effect on your ability to get a boner.
Re: (Score:1)
Any foreign substance in there can have a negative effect on your ability to get a boner.
so why do aztec shamans ritualistically insert microplastics into their penis for powers in the afterlife then>?
So what you're telling me... (Score:1)
Re:Penis Inspector is a job? (Score:2)
Yes, but I hear it blows.
Re: (Score:2)
They got a title upgrade. We used to call them hookers.
Re: (Score:2)
Is that Penis Inspector is a job?
I'm not a professional penis inspector, but I do volunteer down at the local homeless shelter. It's more of a passion than a profession for me.
Re: (Score:2)
Is that Penis Inspector is a job?
Yes, it's time you knew the truth: your dyslexic dad doesn't really play piano in a warehouse.
That's what we get (Score:2, Funny)
Re: (Score:2, Insightful)
You probably could have skipped the water can....
Re: (Score:2)
Seriously, how young are people on this site these days?
Now get off my damn lawn.
Dons flameproof suit (Score:2)
Have you considered that maybe we're not younger than you but just have better taste in music?
Re: (Score:1)
Re: (Score:2)
Truth, preach it, bro! Anyone who doesn't closely follow the same music as you is obviously an ass clown with no taste in music.
You're what, 12?
I can mostly reuse my post from a couple weeks ago (Score:5, Funny)
It seems to me that these microplastics researchers are WAY TOO hung up on testicles and semen. And Penises.
Re:I can mostly reuse my post from a couple weeks (Score:4, Funny)
It seems to me that these microplastics researchers are WAY TOO hung up on testicles and semen. And Penises.
Some folks are just lucky enough to be doing a job that they love.
Re: (Score:2)
...and here I am, a gay guy who works on damned HVAC equipment.
Wow, talk about a stereotype...
Re: (Score:3)
Not at all. Just Slashdot is hung up on this. Microplastics researchers look everywhere at all animals and parts of nature. What Slashdot chooses to run as a story has more to do with you as the target audience than anyone else.
But in any case, with human reproduction issues on the rise and sperm counts generally falling does it surprise you that people are researching the male reproductive system? More importantly, do you wish for researchers to not look at modern day problems?
Plausible Excuse (Score:4, Funny)
Of course I wasn't shoving microplastics in there! I slipped over while I was in the shower, fell on a pile of microplastics I'd been collecting, and they just slid right in there.
(Seinfeld fusille) (Score:2)
Yeah (Score:2)
This is going to get worse before it gets better. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/p... [nih.gov]
Re: (Score:2)
So? (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Only until the gel pack leaks and the silicon goes everywhere.
Source? (Score:2)
study was from Miami so I'm guessing ocean.
Huh? (Score:1)
I'm paying attention.
Guys are always trying... (Score:2)
to convince women that one micrometer is ACTUALLY 5mm. No news there.
Please Click (Score:2)
"ChatGPT, give me five clickbait headlines about microplastics."
Ctrl+C
Ctrl+V
Time for lunch.
Oh No! (Score:2)
Why did you look? (Score:1)
So why was this study done? That by itself is suspect.
I'm starting to suspect that the first probe to reach Pluto will discover microplastics there too.
Members Only? (Score:4, Interesting)
The language in this story shows a great deal of insensitivity:
Scientists have found microplastics in human penises for the first time, as concerns over the tiny particles' proliferation and potential health effects mount. Seven different kinds of microplastics were found in four out of five samples of penis tissue taken Anything smaller is a nanoplastic that must be measured in billionths of a meter. They form when larger plastics break down, either by chemically degrading or physically wearing down into smaller pieces.
Some minuscule particles can invade individual cells and tissues in major organs, experts say, and evidence is mounting .... Ramsey (Trojan rival?) said he wasn't surprised to find microplastics in the penis, as it is a "very vascular organ," like the heart.
Throbbing gristle, perhaps. What a dick. The issue is grossly inflated. I feel like George Costanza in a cold swimming pool...shrinkage like a cold turtle.
There goes the plastic dildo market... Are rubbers now redundant? The question remains (hypothetically): can a blow up doll get pregnant?
If the just penis falls off, there is no need for a penilectomy...
Re: (Score:2)
Not worried about microplastics (Score:2)
In other news.... (Score:2)
Macro plastics found in women's breasts and lips.
The PLA... (Score:2)
First time for everything. (Score:2)
Note, "Micro" plastics. Macroplastics have been a thing for a while and you just can't unsee that sort of thing once you stumble upon it.
testicles, penises, oh, My! (Score:2)
And, uh, what about sample sizes larger than 40? I mean, statistically significant population sizes?
I mean, if you think it is relevant to model a population of many millions of individuals of all age groups, living in all sorts of different situations, with a population size of 5, well, you do you, I guess, but I am going
Re: (Score:1)
Uh-oh (Score:3)
What about female body parts? (Score:1)
There are articles about finding microplastics in testicles, semen, and now penises, but these are of course all male body parts. (No disrespect intended to trans/nonbinary people) However, medical research has historically been male-oriented, for example test labs using male mice for medical research because they're more consistent.
I can only assume that microplastics would be found in most body parts on most people, but it's intriguing to me that I've only seen articles about male body parts. Maybe they'
Re: (Score:1)
Want to get regressive, misogynistic, white male politicians to care? Make it about male genitals. Works every single time.
Re: (Score:2)
What? BS. (Score:2)
"Microplastics are polymer fragments that can range from less than 0.2 inch (5 millimeters) down to 1/25,000th of an inch (1 micrometer). "
5mm? That's not micro anything in my life. What BS.
It gets better (Score:1)
The Jokes... (Score:2)
The jokes write themselves, and we don't even need a chatbot to do it.
I'm made of plastic! It's Fantastic! (Score:3)
Could be fine (Score:2)
One source of microplastics: recycling (Score:2)
Who Said Recycling Was Green? It Makes Microplastics By the Ton [insideclimatenews.org]. (May 16, 2023)
Recycling process produces microplastics [science.org] (29 Feb 2024) [Paywall]
Recycling plants grind plastic into small particles, some of which escape into the environment.