Microplastics can be passed from pregnant mothers to their unborn babies, new research has revealed. Rutgers University researchers have revealed in a new study that tiny pieces of plastic actually remained in the lungs, heart, liver, kidneys and brain of newborn rats exposed to polyamide-12, or PA-12, through inhalation.
Through this research, it has been indicated that during pregnancy, microplastics can pass through the placenta and expose the developing fetus. Even though this fact clearly indicates the unknown long-term health consequences of exposure to such offspring, the presence of these plastics in such life-saving organs is very worrying.
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According to the Rutgers Health study published in the journal Science of the Total Environment, Researchers have long understood that micro and nanoplastic particles (MNPs), which enter the environment through oxidation and natural degradation of consumer products, easily accumulate in the human body through inhalation, absorption, and diet. Are. Experts also understand that these pollutants can cross the placental barrier and accumulate in fetal tissues.
It is unclear whether these particles persist in tissue for long periods of time after birth. Rutgers Health researchers found that this is the case, at least in mice. Their data which may have an impact on human health.
“Nobody wants plastic in their liver,” said Phoebe A. Stapleton, associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at the Rutgers Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy and senior author of the study. “Now that we know it’s there – as well as in other organs – the next step is to understand why and what it means.”
according to a Issued by Rutgers University, To assess the persistence of micro- and nanoplastic particles in neonatal tissues following maternal exposure, Stapleton and colleagues exposed six rats to aerosolized food-grade plastic powder for 10 days during pregnancy.
Rodents are good test subjects for this type of study, Stapleton said, because humans and rodents both have hemochorial placentas, meaning the maternal and fetal blood do not come into direct contact during circulation.
Two weeks after birth, two newborn mice – one male and one female – were tested for micro- and nanoplastic exposure. In both cases, the same type of plastic that the mothers had inhaled during pregnancy was found in the offspring’s lung, liver, kidney, heart and brain tissue. No plastic was found in the control group.
Stapleton said the findings are further evidence showing the potential dangers of micro- and nanoplastics in the environment.
“These results raise concerns for toxic effects associated with MNP exposure, maternal-fetal health, and systemic MNP particle deposition,” the researchers wrote.
