Microplastics Found in Male Reproductive Organs for the First Time: Study

The most common microplastic was PET known to leach toxic substances that can cause cancer and pregnancy issues.

Microplastics are cleaned from a beach in Tenerife, Canary Islands, on July 14, 2018. Desiree Martin/AFP/Getty Images

Microplastics have been discovered in male reproductive organs for the first time, raising concerns about how these contaminants impact people’s sexual health, according to a recent study.

The peer-reviewed study, published in the International Journal of Impotence Research on June 19, investigated whether microplastics (MP) aggregated in penile tissue.