THE highstreet discount store is asking shoppers to stop using Harry Potter mugs immediately as they contain ‘unsafe metals’.
TKMaxx is recalling Harry Potter and South Park mugs, because they do not meet the safety standards required for materials that come into contact with food or drink.
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South Park and Harry Potter mugs that have been recalled by TKMaxxCredit: TK Maxx
The Harry Potter mug from Blue Sky Designs Limited allowed fans to “create their own Hogwarts” by customising the mug with 13 reusable stickers.
The other mug features characters from hit American cartoon South Park.
People who bought the items with product codes 013167 and 596096 should return the items to any TK Maxx or Homesense store.
The recall on both mugs was triggered when testing revealed that the coating may release levels of heavy metals that exceed safe limits, potentially posing a health risk if used to consume food or drinks.
Heavy metals include arsenic, mercury and lead as well as lesser known ones such as cadmium – but it is unclear what metals the warning includes.
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Products that contain unsafe materialsCredit: TK Maxx
Therefore TKMaxx is urging anyone who bought either the Harry Potter or South Park mug, sold between May and September 2025 to “stop using it immediately”.
A TK Maxx spokesperson said: “The vendor is recalling these products because they do not meet safety standards for materials intended to come into contact with food.”
“Testing has shown that the coating may release levels of heavy metals that exceed safe limits, which could pose a potential health risk if used with food or beverages.”
Possible side effects of consuming unsafe metals include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, confusion, and organ damage to the brain, kidneys, and liver.
Chronic exposure, if left untreated can result in serious long-term issues, including anemia, miscarriage, developmental problems in children, and brain damage.
Shoppers are to return the items to any TK Maxx or Homesense store for a full refund or replacement.
Anyone with further questions can call 01923 473561 or email [email protected].
Your product recall rights
Chief consumer reporter James Flanders reveals all you need to know.
Product recalls are an important means of protecting consumers from dangerous goods.
As a general rule, if a recall involves a branded product, the manufacturer would usually have lead responsibility for the recall action.
But it’s often left up to supermarkets to notify customers when products could put them at risk.
If you are concerned about the safety of a product you own, always check the manufacturer’s website to see if a safety notice has been issued.
When it comes to appliances, rather than just food items, the onus is usually on you – the customer – to register the appliance with the manufacturer as if you don’t there is no way of contacting you to tell you about a fault.
If you become aware that an item you own has been recalled or has any safety noticed issued against it, make sure you follow the instructions given to you by the manufacturer.
They should usually provide you with more information and a contact number on its safety notice.
In some cases, the manufacturer might ask you to return the item for a full refund or arrange for the faulty product to be collected.
You should not be charged for any recall work – such as a repair, replacement or collection of the recalled item
This comes only days after the company urgently recalled a kids’ swimming item that “could pose a risk of drowning.”
From April to August, the retailer had sold a range of Children’s Swim Vests that they’ve now said could pose a safety hazard.
TK Maxx says the affected product codes on price ticket and receipt include 819852, 819854, 819856, 819864, 819866, 819868, 819870, 819884, 819886, 819888, 819904, 819906, 819908, 819910, 819911, 819912, 819914.
The prime minister has warned Reform UK “will tear this country apart” ahead of the Labour party conference.
Arriving in Liverpool on Saturday, Sir Keir Starmer said Reform’s plans to abolish indefinite leave to remain (ILR) for legal migrants was one of “the most shocking things” Nigel Farage’s party had said.
Sir Keir said the conference would be an opportunity to show Labour’s alternative to the “toxic divide and decline” offered by Reform.
He is under pressure after opinion polls show Labour trailing Reform UK, alongside speculation Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham could mount a leadership challenge.
But in an interview with the Sunday Times, Sir Keir insisted Labour could still “pull this round”, and said it was time for Labour to put in the “hard yards, roll up our sleeves and get on with it”.
Farage told the Telegraph, Sir Keir’s language “smacks, frankly, of total desperation” after the prime minister referred to Reform as an “enemy” in an interview with the Guardian.
“To call somebody in politics an enemy is language that is bordering on the inciteful,” he added.
Arriving at the conference centre in Liverpool, Sir Keir said it would be a “big opportunity to make our case to the country, and make it absolutely clear that patriotic national renewal is the way forwards – not the toxic divide and decline that we get with Reform”.
He continued the attacks as the conference got under way, telling the Sunday Mirror Farage was “grubby“, and that the Reform leader was “unpatriotic” for pretending he would fix problems that mattered to voters.
“Add to that that he spends more time grubbing around in America, trying to make money for himself than he does representing his constituents,” he said.
“He goes there not just to make money, but to talk our country down. The leader of a political party going to another country to talk his own country down. Grubby.”
Comparisons with Reform could be a theme of this conference, as Sir Keir tries to portray his party as a patriotic alternative to Reform, who continue to lead opinion polls.
Last week, Reform announced it will replace ILR with visas and force migrants to reapply every five years, if the party wins the next election. That includes hundreds of thousands of migrants currently in the UK.
Applicants would also have to meet certain criteria, including a higher salary threshold and standard of English. ILR is a key route to gaining British citizenship and allows people to claim benefits.
According to a YouGov poll published on Saturday, abolishing indefinite leave to remain divides the public, with 58% of Britons opposed to removing it from those who already hold it.
But more than 44% say they support ending ILR as a policy, while 43% are opposed to the idea.
During a visit to the office of newspaper Liverpool Echo, Sir Keir said: “These are people who have been in our country a long time, are contributing to our society, maybe working in, I don’t know, hospitals, schools, running businesses – our neighbours, and Reform says it wants to deport them in certain circumstances.
“I think it is a real sign of just how divisive they are and that their politics and their policies will tear this country apart.”
In an interview with the Sun on Sunday, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said legal migration was a “good thing” and the UK had “always welcomed people who want to come and work here”.
However, she said migrants should make a “contribution to their wider community”.
“So I am looking at how to make sure that settlement in our country – long term settlement, Indefinite Leave to Remain – is linked not just to the job you are doing, the salary you get, the taxes you pay, [but] also the wider contribution you are making to our communities,” she added.
Speaking to teenagers at the Liverpool Echo visit, Sir Keir also insisted the government would not legalise cannabis, and defended his plans to lower the voting age to 16 in general elections.
“It already happens in Scotland, already happens in Wales, and the sky didn’t fall in,” he said.
Ahead of the Labour conference, backbench MPs and unions renewed calls to end the two-child benefit cap.
Several MPs from Liverpool were among those who wrote to Sir Keir ahead of the conference insisting the cap “is one of the most significant drivers of child poverty in Britain today”.
Two MPs – former shadow chancellor John McDonnell and Apsana Begum – have had the whip restored, after a year-long ban for voting against the government on the cap.
McDonnell told the BBC: “If this is a signal the government is going to scrap the two-child limit I’m really pleased.”
The prime minister’s plans for a new digital ID system, revealed on Friday, will also likely face scrutiny at the conference.
Senior Labour figures are meanwhile expected to set out the details of a fresh tranche of “New Towns” at the event.
Nostalgia for extreme tackiness is surely one of the funnier outcomes of a cult film’s success. (Does one sigh wistfully at such memories or smile through a grimace?) The gleeful cine-garbage factory Troma is, at 50 years and counting, now a hallowed name in outsider movie circles, with much of its reputation stemming from an ’80s output that seemed appropriate for the Reagan era. That especially goes for its 1984 monster comedy “The Toxic Avenger,” about a head-smashing vigilante forged from green chemical sludge. It was antipollution if you wanted to be charitable, but really, it was anti-everything. Haste plus waste, made for very bad taste.
Now, of course, we all recycle trash in our daily lives. But does it work as a film principle? Troma aficionado Macon Blair, a key on-and-offscreen collaborator of Jeremy Saulnier (“Blue Ruin,”“Hold the Dark”) and a Sundance-winning writer-director in his own right (“I Don’t Feel At Home in This World Anymore”), has taken up the challenge with his own “The Toxic Avenger,” starring Peter Dinklage as this version’s mutant hero, Toxie, and maybe the worst thing one could say about it is that it’s well-made.
Cue the disconnect when, expecting to be offended by garish, cheap filmmaking, one realizes that so much of the Troma style — gratuitous gore, filthy mouths, blunt-force parody — is ubiquitous to any regular genre diet in film or TV. That leaves matters of artistic character and there’s no getting around the fact that Blair has made the conscious decision that his “Toxic Avenger,” though rude, violent and goofy to a fault, wouldn’t look bad. It’s even got appealing stars: Kevin Bacon, Elijah Wood, Taylour Paige. Is nothing sacred?
But when even the biggest-budgeted movies now look terrible, everything’s already upside-down. What Blair has assembled, then, is diverting homage-schlock: a one-joke Halloween costume you’ll never wear again. Only this time, it asserts its environmental consciousness like a middle finger. The story’s Big Pharma outfit, called BTH, is a full-on villainous entity now, run by rapacious CEO Bob Garbinger (Bacon) who’s pumping consumers with harmful lifestyle drugs when he isn’t hiring a dim-witted punk band to kill a journalist (Paige) trying to expose him. (A muckraking mentor, seen only at the beginning, is called Mel Ferd, a shout-out to the original Toxie’s name.)
And yet things are also, in Blair’s setup, anchored in emotional sincerity (gasp). Dinklage’s affectingly drawn Winston Goose is no mere browbeaten BTH janitor — he’s a soft-spoken widower struggling to raise a stepson (Jacob Tremblay). Winston has also been diagnosed with a terminal illness and medical insurance won’t cover it. His Kafkaesque phone call about his employee plan is almost too realistic to find funny.
Trying to rob his employer one night with a mop dipped in toxic muck, Winston is shot and thrown into said slop. Instead of killing him, though, it transforms Winston into a disfigured creature (performer Luisa Guerreiro does the post-mutation suit work) with a removable eye, blood running blue, and — in a Tromatic touch — acid for urine. His gory dispatching of criminals notwithstanding, the mop-wielding Toxie becomes a community hero for calling out BTH as “ruiners.” But it also puts a target on his splotchy, misshapen head, especially when Garbinger senses in his nemesis an exploitable biofuel.
Whether poking at superhero cliches (there’s a choice post-credit scene) or trying to be kill-clever, it’s all in dopey, gruesome fun, although, to reiterate, a “Toxic Avenger” even normies can enjoy doesn’t exactly sound like a true Troma tribute. Which may explain why its trashmonger founder (and original “Toxic” co-creator) Lloyd Kaufman’s cameo, late in the film, is him crankily muttering next to Blair, who looks just as peeved. They probably had a blast filming it.
A bathing ban has been slapped on one of Northern Ireland’s most popular beaches just before the bank holiday weekend – after blue-green algae was detected over 100 times across the region this year
Blue-green algae was detected in the water of Benone Beach in Co Londonderry(Image: Getty Images)
Beachgoers have been warned not to swim at one of Northern Ireland’s most popular seaside spots after “potentially toxic” blue-green algae was found in the water.
The bathing ban was put in place at Benone Beach in Co Londonderry by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) ahead of the bank holiday weekend. The north coast beach, with its seven-mile stretch of golden sand and stunning views of Benevenagh mountain and Donegal, is popular with tourists.
Daera said in a statement: “Blue-green algae was observed on part of Benone Beach on Thursday through the Daera monitoring programme for bathing waters.
Blue-green algae bloom are seen at Battery Harbour in Cookstown, Northern Ireland on August 18(Image: Getty Images)
“Analysis has confirmed high levels of blue-green algae and the department has issued the bathing water operator, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough council, an ‘Advice against Bathing’ notification.”
The department noted that no other north coast beaches are affected. Daera added that it “will continue to monitor these beaches for blue-green algae and provide advice to bathing water operators when required”.
The council confirmed a red-level warning had now been put in place. A spokesperson for Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council said: “A temporary Advice Against Bathing Notice has been issued for Benone Strand from Friday 22nd August 2025.
Some blue-green algae produce toxins, posing a danger to humans, pets, livestock and wildlife(Image: Getty Images)
“This is an escalation from the amber to red level in accordance with the Inter-Agency Blue Green Algae Protocol. Daera will continue to monitor Benone Strand and advise of any changes.”
Blue-green algae has been detected more than 100 times across Northern Ireland since the start of the year, Deara previously said. Large algal blooms have also covered Lough Neagh for the third summer in a row, raising concerns for pets, livestock and wildlife.
Technically known as cyanobacteria, blue-green algae are microscopic organisms naturally found in lakes and streams. They can multiply rapidly in warm, shallow, nutrient-rich waters, with some strains producing toxins.
These toxins are particularly dangerous for pets, livestock and wildlife. Humans exposed to high levels can suffer health effects such as diarrhoea, vomiting, throat irritation and breathing difficulties.
Blue-green algae are often found in warm and nutrient-rich waters (Image: Getty Images)
Nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural fertiliser run-off and wastewater treatment are key contributors to the algae. The spread of invasive zebra mussels is also thought to play a role, as they clear the water, allowing more sunlight to fuel algal growth.
Rising water temperatures – linked to climate change – are another factor.
The Stormont Executive launched an action plan last year to tackle the environmental crisis at Lough Neagh. Earlier this week, Environment Minister Andrew Muir called for more support from colleagues to address both the blue-green algae problem and the broader environmental issues at the lough.
BBC Breakfast has been shrouded with difficult claims in recent months as it’s been reported two of its presenters Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt are under review
17:10, 09 Aug 2025Updated 17:23, 09 Aug 2025
BBC Breakfast has been hit by claims of a ‘toxic’ feud(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/James Stack)
BBC Breakfast stars Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt are facing claims they are embroiled in a ‘toxic feud’ with the show’s editor Richard Frediani.
Richard has reportedly returned to work after taking extended leave as he faced allegations over bullying behaviour. Upon Richard’s return it has been reported that relations between himself and presenters Naga, 50, and Charlie, have ‘turned sour’.
BBC Breakfast is said to be ‘in crisis’(Image: BBC)
A source has said: “Fredi now doesn’t brief Naga and Charlie or any of that sort of thing and someone else is on the talkback to them from the gallery.
“The crew are entirely bemused and exhausted by it — in what world is it normal for a boss to be banned from talking to his staff?,” they added to The Sun.
The BBC said in a statement: “While we do not comment on individual cases, we take all complaints about conduct at work extremely seriously and will not tolerate behaviour that is not in line with our values. We have robust processes in place and would encourage any staff with concerns to raise them directly with us so they can be addressed.”
Representatives for Naga, Richard and Charlie are yet to respond.
Talkback is where production staff can communicate with presenters from the gallery by speaking to them via their earpiece. It has been claimed that Richard’s editorial team now communicates with the presenting duo.
The source added: “Bosses are desperate to get Breakfast back on an even keel and know the tension between Fredi, Charlie and Naga is at the heart of the rising crisis.”
The change was said to have been put in place as a way to “manage the situation in the hope it will all blow over”. It comes after it was reported that Charlie Stayt may also face a probe following reports Naga is “under review” over “bullying” claims.
Naga Munchetty is said to be under review(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/James Stack)
Following the reports Naga is under review, it has since been claimed the BBC star “kicked off” at an intern over ‘how they spread Marmite on her toast’.
And a whistleblower has also alleged Naga complained her porridge was “too hot” and she didn’t like the blueberry topping on the dish.
The allegations come after it was claimed last week a number of colleagues have filed complaints over Naga’s alleged bullying behaviour on BBC Breakfast and her BBC Radio 5 Live show, which she presents from Monday to Wednesday. It has been claimed the BBC has officially moved to “place the complaints under review”.
“The review is to ascertain whether a full-on investigation is required and that could come in weeks,” the insider claimed to The Sun.
A BBC spokesperson said: “While we do not comment on individual cases, we take all complaints about conduct at work extremely seriously and will not tolerate behaviour that is not in line with our values. We have robust processes in place and would encourage any staff with concerns to raise them directly with us so they can be addressed.”
Laguna Verde in Bolivia is a breathtaking natural wonder, but the emerald-green waters of the lake hide a deadly secret – it is one of the most poisonous lakes in the world
Green Lagoon or “Laguna Verde” resides over 4,300 meters above sea level(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Nestled amidst the rugged landscapes of Bolivia, Laguna Verde is a captivating sight to behold. However, beneath its enchanting emerald-green waters lies a lethal secret – it’s one of the most toxic lakes in the world. Situated at the base of the majestic Licancabur volcano within the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve, this remarkable lake resides over 4,300 meters above sea level.
The lake is heavily polluted with high levels of arsenic, copper, and other minerals, creating an environment too hostile for life to thrive. The distinctive green tint of the lake is attributed to the high concentration of dissolved copper which, when combined with arsenic, makes the water highly poisonous.
Yet, despite its perilous nature, Laguna Verde continues to attract adrenaline junkies and photographers, lured by its alien-like landscape. Depending on wind conditions and mineral disturbances in the water, the lake’s ethereal colour oscillates between shades of turquoise and deep green.
The lake’s toxicity stems from natural geological processes. Beneath Licancabur, volcanic activity has resulted in mineral-rich deposits leaking into the lake, forming a deadly mix of arsenic, lead, and sulphur, reports the Daily Star.
Green Lagoon or “Laguna Verde” resides over 4,300 meters above sea level(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
These harmful elements inhibit the growth of any substantial aquatic life. Even birds, commonly seen wading in Andean lakes, steer clear of Laguna Verde’s waters.
Scientists have been studying the lake’s harsh environment to gain insights into how life could survive in similar conditions elsewhere, such as on Mars.
The region’s extreme climate, high UV radiation and unique chemical composition offer invaluable knowledge for astrobiologists researching alien environments.
Despite Laguna Verde’s dangers, it continues to attract travellers who journey through Bolivia’s remote Altiplano region to marvel at its captivating colours.
Visitors are urged to appreciate the lake from a safe distance as contact with the water can be dangerous. The high altitude also presents risks, with many tourists suffering from altitude sickness if they’re not properly acclimatised.
Bolivia is a land of towering heights, holding the title for the highest country in South America and boasting the world’s highest capital city, La Paz, with about a third of the nation nestled within the Andes Mountains.
Licancabur Volcano, straddling the Bolivia-Chile border, is topped by a 400-500 metre wide summit crater. It’s considered potentially active, but SERNAGEOMIN rates it as low-risk and ranked it as the 68th most dangerous volcano in Chile in 2023.
Australian woman Erin Patterson is guilty of murdering three relatives with a toxic mushroom lunch, a jury has found.
The 50-year-old has also been found guilty of the attempted murder of the sole guest who survived the beef Wellington meal in 2023.
Patterson’s much-watched trial in the small Victorian town of Morwell heard evidence suggesting she had hunted down death cap mushrooms sighted in nearby towns, before trying to conceal her crimes by lying to police and disposing of evidence.
Her legal team had argued she unintentionally foraged lethal fungi, then “panicked” upon accidentally poisoning family members she loved. The jury on Monday ruled she did it intentionally.
Three people died in hospital in the days after the meal on 29 July 2023: Patterson’s former in-laws, Don Patterson, 70, and Gail Patterson, 70, as well as Gail’s sister, Heather Wilkinson, 66.
Local pastor Ian Wilkinson – Heather’s husband – recovered after weeks of treatment in hospital.
Patterson’s estranged partner Simon Patterson had also been invited to the lunch but pulled out at the last minute. She was originally accused of attempting to murder him too – on several occasions – but those charges were dropped on the eve of the trial and the allegations were not put to the jury.
The case captured the world’s attention, becoming one of the most closely watched trials in Australian history.
Over nine weeks, the Victorian Supreme Court heard from more than 50 witnesses – including Patterson herself. Detectives described rifling through her garbage bins for leftovers, doctors outlined the gradual but brutal decline of the victims’ health, and Patterson’s estranged husband emotionally explained the souring nature of their relationship.
The only thing the case was missing was a motive – something key to Patterson’s defence.
Prosecutors argued Patterson had faked a cancer diagnosis to coax the guests to her house, then poisoned them and feigned illness to ward off suspicion.
She admitted to lying to police and medical staff about foraging for wild mushrooms, dumping a food dehydrator used to prepare the meal, and repeatedly wiping her mobile phone – all evidence of her guilt, prosecutors said.
From the witness box, Erin Patterson told the court she loved her relatives and had no reason to harm them.
She repeatedly denied intentionally putting the poisonous fungi in the meal, and said she realised days after the lunch that the beef Wellingtons may have accidentally included dried, foraged varieties that were kept in a container with store-bought ones.
She also told the court she had suffered from bulimia for years, and had made herself throw up after the beef Wellington meal – something her defence team said explained why she did not become as sick as the others who ate it.
The lie about having cancer was because she was embarrassed about plans to get weight-loss surgery, Ms Patterson said. She also claimed she didn’t tell authorities the truth about her mushroom foraging hobby because she feared they might blame her for making her relatives sick.
Ultimately, after a week of deliberation, the jury decided: returning four guilty verdicts which could see Patterson spend the rest of her life in jail.
During the first meeting of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr’s recently downsized vaccine panel, the group voted to stop recommending flu vaccines containing thimerosal, a vaccine preservative.
In a lengthy June 24 X post that preceded the meeting, Kennedy, who spent two decades as an anti-vaccine movement leader, described thimerosal using terms such as “toxic” and said hundreds of studies identify it as a carcinogenic “potent neurotoxin”. He also said there are high doses of mercury in flu shots recommended to pregnant women and children.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices’ (ACIP) two-day meeting on June 25 and 26 included discussion of vaccines containing thimerosal before its vote on flu vaccines.
ACIP is an independent group which provides vaccine recommendations the CDC director reviews and decides whether to formally adopt. Earlier in June, Kennedy dismissed 17 ACIP members, replacing them with seven new members, including people who’ve expressed doubt about vaccine efficacy and promoted anti-vaccine falsehoods.
Doctors and scientists who study vaccines have been researching thimerosal’s use for decades. Here’s what we know about the vaccine preservative and its removal from flu vaccines.
A nurse prepares a flu shot from a vaccine vial at the Salvation Army in Atlanta, February 7, 2018 [File: David Goldman/AP]
What is thimerosal?
Thimerosal is a mercury-based preservative used in some vaccines.
Many people – particularly those who are pregnant or breastfeeding – encounter warnings about consuming mercury, such as in seafood. But those warnings are about methylmercury, which is found in certain kinds of fish and is known to be toxic to people when consumed at high levels.
Thimerosal contains ethylmercury – a single-letter difference that might not sound significant, but is.
Human bodies can break down and excrete ethylmercury quickly, meaning it is less likely to cause harm. By contrast, methylmercury is more likely to accumulate in the body and cause harm.
In vaccines, thimerosal is added to prevent harmful microbes such as bacteria and fungi from growing in vaccine vials.
“Introduction of bacteria and fungi has the potential to occur when a syringe needle enters a vial as a vaccine is being prepared for administration,” the CDC’s website said. “Contamination by germs in a vaccine could cause severe local reactions, serious illness or death. In some vaccines, preservatives, including thimerosal, are added during the manufacturing process to prevent germ growth.”
In 2005, Kennedy wrote an article co-published by Rolling Stone and Salon that alleged leading health agencies including the CDC and US Food and Drug Administration had colluded with vaccine manufacturers to conceal a study that found thimerosal “may have caused autism in thousands of kids”. Scientists and researchers said Kennedy’s argument was inaccurate and misleading. Continued research has found no link between thimerosal and autism. Kennedy’s article was removed from Rolling Stone, and Salon retracted it in 2011.
In 2015, Kennedy wrote a book opposing thimerosal’s use in vaccines.
Which vaccines use thimerosal?
Thimerosal is not used in the vast majority of vaccines.
All vaccines the CDC routinely recommends for children age six or younger are available without thimerosal.
Children receiving the routine paediatric vaccine schedule “can get completely immunised without any thimerosal-containing vaccines”, said Dr Mark Sawyer, a paediatrics professor at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine and a paediatric infectious disease physician.
Some childhood vaccines have never contained thimerosal. These include the measles, mumps and rubella – or MMR – vaccine, the varicella or chickenpox vaccine, the inactivated polio vaccine and the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.
Thimerosal was removed from most vaccines – including all childhood vaccines – as of 2001, the CDC said.
Thimerosal is still used in vaccines today, but not as widely.
The preservative is in only a small fraction of influenza vaccine vials, specifically the multi-dose vials that constitute a small portion of the US flu shot supply, Dr Jake Scott told PolitiFact. Scott is a Stanford University School of Medicine infectious disease specialist.
The FDA said thimerosal use has declined as vaccine manufacturers have developed more single-dose vaccines that do not require preservatives.
Scott said the CDC lists 12 influenza vaccine formulations for the 2024 to 2025 flu season, which will also cover the 2025 to 2026 season because no new flu vaccines have been licensed. Of those 12 vaccines, just three are multi-dose vaccines that contain thimerosal at 25 micrograms – equal to 25 millionths of a gram – per dose, he said.
CDC’s supply data shows single-dose, thimerosal-free syringes make up about 96 percent of the US flu vaccine supply, leaving roughly 4 percent as multi-dose vials, Scott said.
“Single-dose syringes are the default for paediatrics and prenatal care, so real-world exposure is even lower,” he said.
Because flu vaccines with thimerosal constitute a small portion of the influenza vaccine supply, public health experts told The Washington Post the committee’s vote to stop recommending them would have a limited impact, although it could make flu shots more expensive and less accessible in some parts of the US.
What does research show about thimerosal?
Because anti-vaccine activists’ focus has centred on whether thimerosal causes autism, numerous scientific studies have investigated a potential link and found no causal relationship between the preservative and autism.
When scientists evaluated thimerosal’s potential impacts and risks they found:
Giving infants vaccines containing thimerosal “does not seem to raise blood concentrations of mercury above safe values in infants” as the ethylmercury “seems to be eliminated from blood rapidly via the stools” after vaccination.
Three controlled and two uncontrolled observational studies “consistently provided evidence of no association” between thimerosal-containing vaccines and autism.
“No scientific evidence exists that thimerosal-containing vaccines are a cause of adverse events among children born to women who received influenza vaccine during pregnancy.”
Vaccine researchers told PolitiFact that thimerosal was removed from vaccines out of an abundance of caution, not because research proved that thimerosal was unsafe.
Thimerosal was removed from vaccines because people thought it might cause problems, said Rachel Roper, a microbiology and immunology professor at East Carolina University. But ultimately, “studies were done and it was shown to be safe”.
There’s no evidence to date that thimerosal “causes any harm whatsoever”, Sawyer said.
IF awards were given out for most toxic break-up in Hollywood, Alice Evans and Ioan Gruffudd would sweep the board.
Four years after the couple’s marriage ended, their bitter feud continues to overshadow anything either party has ever delivered on the big screen.
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The bitter feud between Alice Evans and Ioan Gruffudd shows no signs of ending four years down the lineCredit: Getty
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Alice has recently claimed that she and the couple’s kids are homelessCredit: Instagram
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Ioan is now married to new love Bianca EvansCredit: Getty
And the end credits are still some way off from rolling, especially when Alice is the leading lady.
In recent weeks, the actress’s behaviour has become increasingly erratic, from declaring herself homeless to begging her Instagram followers for a place to stay.
Her antics have left fans understandably concerned for her well-being, but there are also suspicions that her brutal honesty is also part of a ‘game plan’ – one she secretly hopes may spark a career renaissance.
An insider told The Sun: “Alice is aware her car crash relationship is the only thing keeping her relevant right now.
“The acting jobs have dried up, and even she admits she’s currently unhireable.
“So documenting both her innermost feelings and stark truths of her desperate situation on social media maintains a profile, and therefore could lead to other opportunities away from acting but still within the industry, like her own reality show.”
The insider added: “Alice knows what she’s doing and will continue airing her dirty laundry in public. She has nothing to lose.”
While Alice, 56, continues to offload on social media, her Fantastic Four actor ex Ioan, 51, is quietly getting on with his life.
And his most recent movie, Bad Boys: Ride Or Die, banked an impressive $403million worldwide.
Ioan Gruffodd’s ex Alice Evans bursts into tears over ‘nasty’ divorce as she reveals she wanted to ‘harm herself’
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The couple are still locked in a battle for spousal supportCredit: Getty
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Since their separation, Alice has taken to social media to air her grievancesCredit: pixel8000
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Alice took aim at Ioan’s new partner on social media, calling her “stealer of my husband”Credit: Instagram/aliceevansgruff
He’s still battling Alice for spousal support and custody and financial support for their two daughters, Ella, 15, and Elsie, 11, but is doing all of his talking via lawyers – unlike his ex, whom he met on the set of the 2000 movie 102 Dalmatians.
Indeed, Alice is updating fans with every cough and spit of the fallout from the pair’s divorce, which she claims has left her financially ruined.
In February, Alice told her 95,000 Instagram followers she, her two daughters, plus their dog Emma were on the verge of being evicted from their home in Los Angeles.
She said it was due to being unable to pay her rent, all while Ioan, who says his ex-wife’s poverty claims are “exaggerated”, was living in comfort in a $5,500 (£4,000) a month apartment with a home gym.
Alice knows what she’s doing and will continue airing her dirty laundry in public. She has nothing to lose
Insider
She claimed there was “no way of renting even the cheapest room anywhere in the city” due to January’s wildfires, which has decimated the rental market.
Alice wrote: “Four years of hell. And now the girls and I are going to be homeless. Somebody please help. I think I have reached rock bottom.
“In 16 days, we have nowhere to go. Does anybody have a spare room? I’m so sorry for this. So embarrassed.”
In the comments section of the post, Alice replied to many fans’ offers of help, once again opting for stark honesty surrounding her situation.
She revealed that “both sets of grandparents estranged themselves from my girls” when quizzed why her family aren’t supporting her.
Four years of hell. And now the girls and I are going to be homeless. Somebody please help. I think I have reached rock bottom
Alice Evans
She explained: “It breaks my heart. It would be perfectly possible to take sides against me whilst retaining a relationship with my kids.
“They both have their own phones that I have vowed to never touch. Nothing is stopping them from communicating.
“I think it’s a terrible mistake. And punishing children for something they believe their mother has done. Not fair at all.”
She also responded to fans’ offers of rooms to inhabit in countries including Ireland and Mexico, saying she can’t leave LA “without authorisation”, but would have “loved” to take up their kind gestures.
Desperation
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Alice told her social media followers that she had “nowhere to go”Credit: Instagram/aliceevansgruff
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Ioan says he believes his ex’s claims of financial ruin are exaggeratedCredit: Getty
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Alice posted this caption on Instagram, asking fans for a spare roomCredit: Instagram/aliceevansgruff
Such was her desperation, she repurposed her GoFundMe page – originally set up in 2022 to help pay for her divorce – to seek funds for a new home, and she’s now just over $6,500 (£5,000) from reaching her target of $25,000 (£18,000).
Thanking donors this week, some of whom shelled out $2,500 anonymously, she wrote: “Just wanted to tell everybody that me and the girls and Emma are safe with a roof over our heads!
“It’s been a whirlwind, but we made it through the last three days and managed to save all our belongings too!
“We could never, ever have done this without the incredible love and kindness from all of you. Honestly, I was at my wits’ end and you saved me.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I will keep you posted. Love you so much.’
Confessing she felt shame in turning to the public for help, she previously wrote: “I’m so embarrassed about this. If you’re here, you know my story.
Alice is aware her car crash relationship is the only thing keeping her relevant right now
Insider
“You know how much I struggle to keep my two girls healthy and happy and a roof over their heads.
“You know what I’ve been through. It never ends. I’m just getting squeezed in every which way and smeared in the media so that nobody even wants to employ me.”
Ioan agreed to pay Alice $3,000 (£2,200) per month in child support and $1,500 (£1,100) a month in spousal support in September last year.
However, Alice has claimed the $4,500 (£3,300) fee was not sufficient to live in LA, and that money raised from the sale of their old marital home has slowly dwindled away, citing legal fees.
In March, the Vampire Diaries star slammed Ioan in a court filing for saying he “does not really believe” she was facing eviction and that she secretly had the money to pay for it, saying it was an effort “to make him look bad.”
Dark turn
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The pair’s two kids have now been roped into their bitter feudCredit: Instagram
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Ioan filed a restraining order against Alice after her rants against Bianca on social mediaCredit: Getty
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Ioan thanked Bianca for ‘making him smile again’ after the split
Last month, the rift took another dark twist when Ioan claimed he saw Alice try to give their children cocaine after leaving the door of their family home unlocked so a drug dealer could enter.
The bombshell revelation came in the Welshman’s latest court bid to extend the aforementioned restraining order against him and his new wife, Bianca.
Alice and Ioan married seven years after co-starring in the Disney sequel, tying the knot in Mexico in 2007 during an intimate service attended by close friends and family who had “travelled from all over the world for it”.
They welcomed their first daughter Ella in 2009 before Elsie arrived four years later.
But in January 2021, the pair announced their separation, and it was New Jersey-born Alice, who was brought up in the UK, who revealed the news in a typically blunt style, kick-starting their public feud.
She wrote: “Sad news. My beloved husband/soulmate of 20 years, Ioan Gruffudd, has announced he is to leave his family, starting next week.
“Me and our young daughters are very confused and sad. We haven’t been given a reason except that he ‘no longer loves me’. I’m so sorry.”
But the rift turned really ugly when Ioan went public with new love and A Ray of Sunshine co-star Bianca, 32, nine months later, sharing a snap of the pair on Instagram alongside the caption: “Thank you for making me smile again.”
Timeline of Alice Evans and Ioan Gruffudd’s bitter feud
2000–2007 – Welsh actor Ioan Gruffudd met Alice Evans on the set of 102 Dalmatians in 2000. The couple married in 2007 and later welcomed two daughters, Ella and Elsie.
January 2021 – Alice announced on Twitter that Ioan had left the family.
March 2021 – Ioan files for divorce citing irreconcilable differences.
October 2021 – Ioan went public with his relationship with actress Bianca Wallace. Alice accused him of a three-year affair, which he denied.
February 2022 – Ioan filed for a domestic violence restraining order against Alice, alleging she threatened to make false accusations and destroy his career. He claimed she sent over 100 harassing messages, including threats to publish a fake diary portraying herself as a victim.
August 2022 – A judge granted Ioan a three-year restraining order against Alice, prohibiting her from contacting him or Bianca and from posting about them on social media.
July 2023 – The divorce was finalised. Alice claimed financial hardship, stating she earned only $300 monthly in royalties and was applying for food stamps, while accusing Ioan of living lavishly.
July 2024 – Alice filed court documents seeking increased child and spousal support, alleging she was behind on rent and utilities. She claimed Ioan spent extravagantly on travel and luxury items, including an engagement ring for Bianca.
April 2025 – Ioan married Bianca in an intimate seaside ceremony. The couple shared a video captioned “Mr & Mrs Gruffudd. Marriage now, wedding later.”
Previously, Ioan requested a restraining order against Alice in February 2022 after accusing her of harassment, making up “false stories about him”, and sending his mother “threatening emails.”
The actor’s daughter, Ella, then filed a domestic violence restraining order against him in June 2023 following an incident at his Los Angeles home, which was later rejected.
Two months later, Ioan accused Alice of keeping their children from him and had not seen them in three months, which his ex-wife denied.
She said he was to blame, claiming the actor had not bothered making contact with their daughters for 11 weeks.
Over the last two years, Alice’s complaints have centred around her financial struggles in the wake of their split.
She has said she’s relying on “food stamps”, while Ioan continues his “lavish lifestyle”, buying Rolex watches for his new partner, and is now reportedly considering working at Starbucks.
There have been worse angles for a reality show.
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Alice and Ioan met in 2000 and tied the knot seven years laterCredit: Getty Images – Getty
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Alice is said to be considering a plan that will bring her back into the limelightCredit: Rex
DONALD Trump called Elon Musk a “big-time drug addict” as his spat with the world’s richest man intensified.
The US President is said to have blasted his billionaire ex-backer as reliant on ketamine in phone calls.
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Donald Trump called Elon Musk a ‘big-time drug addict’ as his spat with the world’s richest man intensifiedCredit: AFP
It came after the Tesla billionaire linked Mr Trump to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Their feud went public on Thursday night as both men used their own social media platforms — X and Truth Social — to insult each other.
Mr Musk, 53, turned on the US leader, calling his Congressional spending bill a “disgusting abomination” on Wednesday.
The President, 78, has called it his “big, beautiful bill”, but Mr Musk believes it will increase national debt by an unsustainable amount.
It triggered the ugly public bust-up, with Musk calling for Trump to be impeached and accusing him of being a close associate of Epstein.
Yesterday, Mr Musk deleted the post, which was seen hundreds of millions of times.
The Washington Post reported Mr Trump used private calls to urge his allies not to pour fuel on the fire and told Vice President JD Vance to be cautious.
But the President, whose campaign took £250million from Mr Musk, is also said to have become weary with the tycoon’s alleged drug use.
He called Mr Musk an “addict” in the calls and claimed he “lost his mind” after leaving the administration.
The businessman previously admitted using ketamine, but it is alleged he became so hooked last year it affected his kidneys.
Trump insists Elon Musk is lashing out at ‘big beautiful bill’ for personal reason as he admits he’s ‘disappointed’ in Tesla boss
Mr Musk officially left the government last week but said he would remain as a “friend and adviser” to Mr Trump.
The President last night said he had “no intention” of speaking to Mr Musk, adding: “I think it’s a very bad thing because he’s very disrespectful”.
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Trump is said to have blasted his billionaire ex-backer as reliant on ketamine in phone callsCredit: AFP
Murderland: Crime and Bloodlust in the Time of Serial Killers
By Caroline Fraser Penguin Press: 480 pages, $32 If you buy books linked on our site, The Times may earn a commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookstores.
The first film I saw in a theater was “The Love Bug,” Disney’s 1969 comedy about a sentient Volkswagen Beetle named Herbie and the motley team who race him to many a checkered flag. Although my memory is hazy, I recall my toddler’s delight: a car could think, move and communicate like a real person, even chauffeuring the romantic leads to their honeymoon. Nice Herbie!
Or not so nice. A decade later, Stanley Kubrick opened his virtuosic “The Shining” with fluid tracking shots of the same model of automobile headed toward the Overlook Hotel and a rendezvous with horror. Something had clicked. Caroline Fraser’s scorching, seductive “Murderland” chronicles the serial-killer epidemic that swept the U.S. in the 1970s and ’80s, focusing on her native Seattle and neighboring Tacoma, where Ted Bundy was raised. He drove a Beetle, hunting for prey. She underscores the striking associations between VWs and high-yield predators, as if the cars were accomplices, malevolent Herbies dispensing victims efficiently. (Bundy’s vehicle is now displayed in a Tennessee museum.) The book’s a meld of true crime, memoir and social commentary, but with a mission: to shock readers into a deeper understanding of the American Nightmare, ecological devastation entwined with senseless sadism. “Murderland” is not for the faint of heart, yet we can’t look away: Fraser’s writing is that vivid and dynamic.
She structures her narrative chronologically, conveyed in present tense, newsreel-style, evoking the Pacific Northwest’s woodsy tang and bland suburbia. Fraser came of age on Mercer Island, adjacent to Lake Washington’s eastern shore, across a heavily-trafficked pontoon bridge notorious for fatal crashes. Like the Beetle, the dangerous bridge threads throughout “Murderland,” braiding the author’s personal story with those of her cast. A “Star Trek” geek stuck in a rigid Christian Science family, she loathed her father and longed to escape.
In Tacoma, 35 miles to the south, Ted Bundy grew up near the American Smelting and Refining Co., which disgorged obscene levels of lead and arsenic into the air while netting millions for the Guggenheim dynasty before its 1986 closure. Bundy is the book’s charismatic centerpiece, a handsome, well-dressed sociopath in shiny patent-leather shoes, flitting from college to college, job to job, corpse to corpse. During the 1970s, he abducted dozens of young women, raping and strangling them on sprees across the country, often engaging in postmortem sex before disposing their bodies. He escaped custody twice in Colorado — once from a courthouse and another time from a jail — before he was finally locked up for good after his brutal attacks on Chi Omega sorority sisters at Florida State University.
Fraser depicts his bloody brotherhood with similar flair. Israel Keyes claimed Bundy as a hero. Gary Ridgway, the prolific “Green River Killer,” inhaled the same Puget Sound toxins. Randy Woodfield trawled I-5 in his 1974 Champagne Edition Beetle. As she observes of Richard Ramirez, Los Angeles’ “Night Stalker”: “He’s six foot one, wears black, and never smiles. He has a dead stare, like a shark. He doesn’t bathe. He has bad teeth. He’s about to go beserk.” But the archvillain is ASARCO, the mining corporation that dodged regulations, putting profitability over people. Fraser reveals an uncanny pattern of polluting smelters and the men brought up in their shadows, prone to mood swings and erratic tantrums. The science seems speculative until the book’s conclusion, where she highlights recent data, explicitly mapping links.
Caroline Fraser laments the lack of accountability that the wealthy Guggenheim family has faced for operating a company that spewed toxins in Tacoma air for decades.
(Hal Espen)
Her previous work, “Prairie Fires,” a biography of Laura Ingalls Wilder, won the Pulitzer Prize and other accolades. The pivot here is dramatic, a bit of formal experimentation as Fraser shatters the fourth wall, luring us from our comfort zone. While rooted in the New Journalism of Joan Didion and John McPhee, “Murderland” deploys a mocking tone to draw us in, scattering deadpan jokes among chapters: “In 1974 there are at least a half a dozen serial killers operating in Washington. Nobody can see the forest for the trees.” Fraser delivers a brimstone sermon worthy of a Baptist preacher at a tent revival, raging at plutocrats who ravage those with less (or nothing at all).
Her fury blazes beyond balance sheets and into curated spaces of elites. She singles out Roger W. Straus Jr., tony Manhattan publisher, patron of the arts and grandson of Daniel Guggenheim, whose Tacoma smelter may have scrambled Bundy’s brain. She mentions Straus’ penchant for ascots and cashmere jackets. She laments the lack of accountability. “Roger W. Straus Jr. completes the process of whitewashing the family name,” she writes. “Whatever the Sackler family is trying to do by collecting art and endowing museums, lifting their skirts away from the hundreds of thousands addicted and killed by prescription opioids manufactured and sold by their company — Purdue Pharma — the Guggenheims have already stealthily and handily accomplished.” Has Fraser met a sacred cow she wouldn’t skewer?
Those beautiful Cézannes and Picassos in the Guggenheim Museum can’t paper over the atrocities; the gilded myths of American optimism, our upward mobility and welcoming shores won’t mask the demons. “The furniture of the past is permanent,” she notes. “The cuckoo clock, the Dutch door, the daylight basement — humble horsemen of the domestic Apocalypse. The VWs, parked in the driveway.” “Murderland” is a superb and disturbing vivisection of our darkest urges, this summer’s premier nonfiction read.
Cain is a book critic and the author of a memoir, “This Boy’s Faith: Notes from a Southern Baptist Upbringing.” He lives in Brooklyn, New York.
US federal prosecutors have charged two Chinese nationals with smuggling a toxic fungus into the United States, which authorities claim could be turned into a “potential agroterrorism weapon”.
The charges against Jian Yunqing, 33, and Liu Zunyong, 34, two researchers from China, were unsealed by the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan on Tuesday. The pair face additional charges of conspiracy, visa fraud and providing false statements to investigators.
Prosecutors allege that Liu smuggled the fungus, called Fusarium graminearum, into the US so he could carry out research at a University of Michigan laboratory where his girlfriend, Jian, worked.
Fusarium graminearum causes “head blight”, a disease in crops like wheat, barley, maize and rice, and is “responsible for billions of dollars in economic losses worldwide each year”, according to the charges.
The pathogen also poses a danger to humans and livestock, and can cause “vomiting, liver damage, and reproductive defects”.
Allegedly toxic plant pathogens that a Chinese scientist entered the US with last year, federal authorities said on Tuesday [US District Court For The Eastern District Of Michigan via AP]
The investigation was carried out by US Customs and Border Protection and the FBI, whose mandate includes investigating foreign and economic espionage as well as counterterrorism.
Jian was earlier arrested by the FBI and is due to appear in federal court this week, where her ties to the Chinese government are also under scrutiny at a time of increased paranoia within the US government about possible Chinese infiltration.
Jian allegedly received funding from the Chinese government to carry out research on the same toxic fungus in China, according to the charges.
The Associated Press news agency, citing the FBI, said that Liu was sent back to China from Detroit in July 2024 after airport customs authorities found the fungus in his backpack. He later admitted to bringing the material into the US to carry out research at the University of Michigan, where he had previously worked alongside his girlfriend, the AP said.
During their investigation, the FBI found an article on Liu’s phone titled “Plant-Pathogen Warfare under Changing Climate Conditions”. Messages on the couple’s phones also indicated that Jian was aware of the smuggling scheme, and later lied to investigators about her knowledge.
It is unlikely that Liu will face extradition as the US does not have an extradition treaty with China.
FBI director Kash Patel claimed on X that China was “working around the clock to deploy operatives and researchers to infiltrate American institutions and target our food supply, which would have grave consequences”.
New… I can confirm that the FBI arrested a Chinese national within the United States who allegedly smuggled a dangerous biological pathogen into the country.
The individual, Yunqing Jian, is alleged to have smuggled a dangerous fungus called “Fusarium graminearum,” which is an…
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) June 3, 2025
The Chinese Embassy in Washington, DC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The University of Michigan on Tuesday issued a brief statement condemning “any actions that seek to cause harm, threaten national security, or undermine the university’s critical public mission”.
The case comes just a week after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio pledged to start “aggressively” revoking the visas of Chinese students in the US on national security grounds.
Targeted students include Chinese nationals with ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), an institution that counts about 100 million members. While some Chinese may join for ideological reasons, membership in the CCP comes with perks like access to better jobs and educational opportunities.
It is not uncommon for students from elite backgrounds, like those studying in the US, to also be members of the CCP.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has previously pledged to “firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests” of its students studying overseas following news of the visa crackdown.
Gastroenterologist Dr Saurabh Sethi has warned of three toxic items that can be found in almost every homeCredit: Jam Press/@doctor.sethi
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Scented candles release phthalates into the air, which have been linked to reproductive issues, developmental problems, and increased risk of certain cancersCredit: Jam Press/@doctor.sethi
Gastroenterologist Dr Saurabh Sethi is known for sharing a wealth of health expertise on various social media platforms, including Instagram (@doctor.sethi).
He previously shared three foods he always avoids to protect his liver.
Now, the 42-year-old has revealed three toxic items commonly found in people’s homes, and advises people get rid of them immediately.
In a clip, which has racked up 11.8m views and over 141,000 likes, Dr Sethi’s first warning is over scented candles.
“These contain phthalates, which are known to disrupt hormone levels,” the doctor, from California, US, says.
“And cause respiratory issues.”
Phthalates are chemicals used in synthetic fragrances to help the scent bind to the wax and last longer.
When candles containing phthalates burn, they release them into the air.
Dr Sethi adds: “Opt for unscented or natural candles made from soy or beeswax.”
Phthalates have been linked to various health risks, including endocrine disruption, reproductive issues, developmental problems, and increased risk of certain cancers.
How to prevent toxic plastics ‘destroying’ your brain – as doctor warns of ‘damage and dementia risk’
The second household item Dr Sethi lists as being a danger is plastic cutting boards.
He says: “These can degrade over time, releasing microplastics into your food, which can accumulate in the body.”
Studies have linked microplastics to a range of potential health issues, including reproductive problems, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurological effects.
They can also contribute to inflammation, cell damage, and disrupt the gut microbiome.
Instead, Dr Sethi advises: “Switch to a wooden one to minimise risk.”
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Scratched or chipped non-stick pans can release PFAS into foodCredit: Getty
Last on Dr Sethi’s list is scratched or chipped non-stick pans.
Dr Sethi explains: “These contain PFAS, which have been linked to high blood pressure, cholesterol and reproductive issues.
“Damaged pans can release these particles into your food.”
PFAS are a large, complex group of synthetic chemicals that have been used in consumer products around the world since about the 1950s.
Exposure to PFAS has been linked to a range of health problems, including increased risk of certain cancers, altered immune function, liver damage, and reproductive and developmental issues.
Some studies also suggest links between PFAS and thyroid disease, changes in cholesterol levels, and behavioural problems in children.
Dr Sethi advises: “So make sure to either replace these pans as soon as they are scratched or chipped.
“Or replace those with safer alternatives, such as stainless steel or cast iron.”
What are microplastics and why are they a worry?
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles less than five millimetres in diameter.
They come from a variety of sources in our everyday life, from larger pieces of plastic debris, such as from the degradation of bottles, to the tiny beads in personal care products like toothpaste and exfoliants, and synthetic fibres from textiles like polyester and nylon.
We can either ingest them, for example in food and water contaminated with them, or inhale them from the air.
There is growing concern about the potential health impacts of microplastics on both the environment and human health.
When ingested or inhaled, microplastics can cause physical and chemical damage to living organisms.
Studies have shown that they may be involved in inflammation in the body by leading to the release of proteins called inflammatory cytokines.
While these studies are typically small and in animals or cells, inflammation is linked to a range of chronic diseases, including heart disease, autoimmune disorders, and cancer.
Cellular damage has been a key focus of studies on microplastics.
The tiny pieces of plastic have been shown to cause cell death, cause damage via oxidative stress, and interfere with hormone function.
There is also evidence to suggest that microplastics can cause genotoxic effects, meaning they can damage genetic material within cells – raising fears they can contribute to cancer.
The evidence is still evolving for these tiny particles that are barely visible to the naked eye.
