I'd seen some of these rebuttal studies, and now The Guardian is reporting on how supposed reports of high microplastics levels in human tissues are being critiqued for their methodology.

In basic terms, scientists try to measure polyethylene (and other plastics) by vaporising the tissue with heat and detecting what polyethylene turns into when burned. However, normal human fats can produce the same compounds when burned. Inadequate controls and hype chasing have led to unsupported claims.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jan/13/microplastics-human-body-doubt

#Microplastics #MicroplasticsInBody #MicroplasticsInBrain #ResearchIntegrity #ScientificErrors #Rebuttals #TheGuardian #PlasticPollution #ScientificControversy

#xkcd: #Rebuttals

https://xkcd.com/2857/

One difference I observe between #rebuttals and journal #revisions which may explain a lot of the author frustrations with rebuttals:

In revisions, if you get 5 larger comments and you address 3 of them, you are probably on the road to an accept.

But if after rebuttals 2 major concerns remain unaddressed, you are likely still going to get rejected.