Contains most food and water microplastics microscopic and New animal research shows these tiny particles are passed from pregnant mice to their unborn offspring. and may affect fetal development. The most serious is It has not been ignored that the same process can occur in humans.work suggests.
“There’s still a lot more to research, but it’s certainly cause for concern and study,” said Philip Demokritou, professor of nanoscience and environmental bioengineering at the Rutgers School of Public Health in New Jersey.
A typical person swallows microscopic plastic particles equivalent to a credit card each week.Democrito points out. This plastic is consumed through food and is even inhaled through the air after being broken down by erosion.
Previous research on pregnant laboratory animals had found that adding these plastics to food harms puppies, but these studies had not determined whether the plastics were passed from mother to pup.
In the new research, the scientists fed the microplastics to five pregnant mice. later, With high-resolution images, they confirmed that these plastic particles had impregnated the placentas, as well as their offspring’s livers, kidneys, hearts, lungs and brains.
Microplastics reach the placenta
This shows that These plastics could break the intestinal barrier of pregnant mammals, maternal-fetal barrier of placenta and all fetal tissuessaid the study authors.
“Plastic use has increased rapidly. Since the 1940s due to its low cost and versatile features. “Of the 9 billion tons produced in the last 60 years, 80% has gone to the environment and only 10% has been recycled,” Demokritou said in a Rutgers press release collected by HealthDay.
Demokritou explained that although these petroleum-based plastics are not biodegradable, they decompose on contact with the elements and light.
“As public health researchers, we seek to assess the health risks of such an emerging pollutant to inform policymakers and develop mitigation strategies,” he said. “The target is also increase the reuse and recycling of plastics and even replace them with biodegradable plastics, biopolymer-based plastics.”
The aforementioned study also revealed that the offspring of pregnant laboratory animals that received these plastics were reduced in growth and the development of their brains, livers, testicles, immune systems and metabolism were also damaged.
now, It’s not clear whether this also happens in pregnant women, but some research suggests that plastic affects human embryonic development.said Demokritou.
The researchers explained that future studies will investigate how different types of plastic cross cell barriers. They will also look at how the size of the plastic particles affects the process and how plastic harms fetal development.
Reference work: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/13/4/720
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