Microplastics detected in human testicles, troubling researchers

You can't 100% avoid its use but you can certainly mitigate it somewhat, hopeful that the density plays a role and having fewer microplastics is better than having more. But it's not too hard, just don't buy food that's covered in plastic packages (most junk food), use glassware and silverware more often, avoid plastic bottled drinks as much as possible whenever possible and so on.

They won't answer you because they wouldn't get to feel smugly superior if they did, because they should know that it is literally impossible to not use plastics right now, and has been since the 90's.

Realistically, we should lobby for a total ban of single use non-biodegradable plastics worldwide, a tax on single use biodegradable plastics, and a superfund funded by that tax to clean up the world of plastics in every form possible.

If we can get 80% of it dealt with then the rest would take care of itself.

There are some steps you can take to improve things, but avoiding them altogether seems impossible. I certainly didn't mean to imply that individuals could do much here. That is sort of the point: we're trapped by the bulk preferences of society. If no one made polyester clothing, no one would be able to buy any. It's the consumer preference for cheaper fabrics which have contributed in this case. Anyhow, no one can wholesale avoid plastic usage. (for instance, I'm typing this on a computer. Trying finding a computer without any plastics.) But, there are things you can do to at least improve things.

Recycling:

- Never, ever recycle plastics. Plastic recycling strongly contributes to microplastics due to the cleansing process. Plastic is also not like glass or metal, either. It's getting one more go-around before entering the landfill in any case.

Clothing:

- Avoid polyester fleece at all costs.

- Avoid polyester as much as possible.

- If you own polyester fabrics, wash them as little as possible.

- Prioritize cotton, linen, or wool for all fabric purchases.

Food:

- Avoid anything heated or prepared in plastic, such as microwave meals, microwave popcorn, street food, etc.

- Local farm share is an option for some.

Driving:

- Tire particles are the biggest contributor most don't think about. So, drive less, if you can.

Promote a return to the use of paper and cardboard packaging. They are/were manufactured from natural fibres (cellulose) which broke down naturally in water. Difference between plastic and paper? You could eat the latter and survive!

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to suggest that people had easy other options. I didn't mean "preferences" in the individual choice sense of the word, but in the network effects sense of the word. In other words, even if people generally didn't want to buy food that comes in plastic containers, there are vanishingly few alternatives, and this is driven by market forces that individuals have no control over.

> And all the other shit that rich and old people don't give a fuck about spreading into everything.

There have been zero consequences for poisoning the entire planet and everything living thing on it. It's profitable for companies to knowingly poison entire communities. Until there is real accountability for corporations that act like psychopaths and serial killers nothing will change.

Yes clearly that’s what we found, but my question goes into the direction of getting out microplastics from the testicles through ejaculation.

If microplastics are in the testicles then they are also in sperm and maybe through that it can be estimated how much there is in total. Also if there goes out a certain amount with the sperm then repeated ejaculation should drain the microplastics out of the testicles, at least until a certain amount. That way for example one could improve the quality of the sperm for a upcoming fertilisation.

They are both stupid and paranoid. I call it Chicken Little Syndrome. They've convinced themselves that the sky is falling and start looking for any chunk of blue they can find to prove it.

I don't think we need to worry about him having children.

Yeah, but not often enough for it to be part of standard dating protocol. It's more of a litmus test to check if you are anti-science, pro-conservative, or a general jerk.

If that question comes up, there are 2 possible outcomes.

1: They have been appropriately vaccinated and expect their dating partners to also be vaccinated.

2: They call it "the jab" and have decided that inoculation makes you subhuman, and want their dating partners to validate and reinforce their feelings on the matter.

And you get to decide which version works for you.