Albuquerque, New Mexico – A recent study has raised concerns about the presence of microplastics in human placentas and the potential health risks they may pose to developing fetuses. The research, led by Prof Matthew Campen at the University of New Mexico, analyzed 62 placental tissue samples and found that polyethylene, commonly used in plastic bags and bottles, was the most prevalent plastic detected.
Subsequent studies also found microplastics in all 17 human arteries tested, suggesting a possible link to the clogging of blood vessels. The widespread contamination of people’s bodies, including human blood and breast milk, by microplastics has been a cause for alarm among researchers. While the health impacts are still unknown, laboratory studies have shown that microplastics can cause damage to human cells, potentially leading to inflammation or other harmful effects.
The issue of microplastic pollution extends far beyond human bodies, with plastic waste contaminating the environment from Mount Everest to the deepest oceans. People inadvertently consume microplastics through food, water, and even breathing, leading to the particles being found in the feces of both babies and adults. The growing concentration of microplastics in human tissue has been linked to various health problems, such as inflammatory bowel disease, colon cancer in individuals under 50, and declining sperm counts.
Published in the Toxicological Sciences journal, the research found microplastics in all placenta samples tested, with concentrations ranging from 6.5 to 790 micrograms per gram of tissue. PVC and nylon were also among the most common plastics detected, in addition to polyethylene. Researchers utilized a chemical analysis and centrifuge to separate microplastics from the tissue, allowing them to identify the specific chemical signatures of each plastic.
The discovery of microplastics in human placentas is a relatively recent development, first reported in 2020 in samples from healthy women in Italy. Experts have warned that the substances carried by microplastics, acting as endocrine disruptors, could have long-term effects on human health. Campen emphasized the urgency of addressing the global plastic production, as the presence of microplastics in the environment continues to worsen.
The concentration of microplastics in placentas is particularly troubling due to the short lifespan of placental tissue, which grows over a period of only eight months during pregnancy. Campen highlighted the need for further research to understand the implications of microplastic contamination on human health and emphasized the potential risks posed to all mammalian life on the planet.