Women’s Placentas Contain Potentially Toxic Microplastics, Mostly From Plastic Bags and Bottles [Study]

(Photo: Wikimedia Commons/Oregon State University)
Women’s Placentas Contain Potentially Toxic Microplastics, Mostly from Plastic Bags and Bottles [Study]

Microplastics are everywhere and have already reached the women's placentas and the developing fetus. Scientists predicted that microplastics could eventually impact all mammalian life.

Microplastics in Women's Placentas

A new study at the University of New Mexico discovered that all placentas from 62 women examined contain microplastics. Each one included tiny plastic fragments that were no longer than five millimeters. Even though many people believe that the placenta protects them from the elements, it appears that microplastics nevertheless affect them.

With an average concentration of 128.6 micrograms per gram of donated placenta, the particles' sizes varied from 6.5 to 790 micrograms. Most microplastics, about 54%, were polymers used in bottles and plastic bags, followed by materials used in construction and nylon at 10%, and the remaining polymers were from nine other types of plastic.

According to study author Matthew Campe, all mammalian life on Earth may be impacted if effects are being shown on placentas. That is not ideal.

Plastic waste in landfills releases microscopic particles into groundwater and occasionally into the atmosphere as aerosols, which end up in our food, water, and bodies. Because all of the plastics in our environment are breaking down and turning into microplastics, the concentrations of these plastics will rise over time, making the problem worse.

But according to the report, it's too soon to panic. Additionally, pregnant women were advised against altering their diet to eliminate microplastics because doing so would not benefit the growing fetus.

Anyone who has ever attempted to remove grease from a plastic food storage container knows that plastic has a strong affinity for fats.

Thus, dietary fat provides a kind of "avenue" for all the microplastics a woman unintentionally ingests because fat is transferred from her body to the developing fetus through the umbilical cord.

"Your body needs that, and the growing fetus needs that too. We're thinking the nanoplastics are hijacking that system," Campen explained. "They slip through because they look like other things that the fetus needs."

According to him, it is still unclear precisely what the long-term consequences of microplastic exposure are for a mother and child. However, as fat is a vital source of nutrition and energy for the developing brain, trying to prevent microplastics during pregnancy by reducing fat may have negative consequences.

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What Is Microplastic?

Microplastics are tiny fragments of plastic that are less than five millimeters long and can potentially harm aquatic life and our ocean. They originate from several places, such as more considerable plastic waste that breaks into ever-tinier fragments.

Furthermore, little fragments of synthetic polyethylene plastic known as microbeads are used as exfoliants in certain toothpastes, cleansers, and other cosmetic items. These microscopic particles could endanger aquatic life since they are easily filtered out of water and end up in the ocean and Great Lakes.

Microplastics have been linked to fertility problems, dementia, and cancer. Thus, some scientists and public health experts are concerned that they could result in underweight babies.