Microplastics absorbed by the fetus persist after birth, according to a study in mice
A new study in mice reveals that microplastics can be transferred from mother to fetus during pregnancy and can persist in the organs of newborns for at least two weeks after birth, writes The Science Alert citing Science of the Total Environment.
Microplastics absorbed by the fetus persist after birth, according to a study in mice
The research, conducted by a team at Rutgers University, identified plastic fragments in the lungs, heart, liver, kidneys and brains of pups after pregnant mothers inhaled fragments of polyamide-12 (PA-12), a type of nylon.
The study raises serious concerns about the possible toxic effects of micro- and nanoplastics (MNP) on maternal-fetal health and the long-term impact on the body.
Although we cannot rule out the possibility that some fragments were transmitted through breast milk, the presence of microplastics in the organs of newborns from the first stages of development is alarming.
Microplastics enter the human body through food, water and air, and if the results of this study apply to humans, children are already born with microplastic particles embedded in their tissues and organs. Although the exact health effects are not yet fully known, there are already links between pollutants and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
“Nobody wants plastic in their liver,” said Phoebe Stapleton, an associate professor at Rutgers University.
Source: www.mediafax.ro
