A recent Rutgers Health study has raised alarms about the persistence of microplastic particles in newborn tissues following exposure during pregnancy. The research, published in the journal Science of the Total Environment, highlights potential health concerns associated with microplastics, which are tiny particles that have become widespread in the environment.
Plastic Pollution Impact on Newborn Tissues
Micro and nanoplastic particles (MNPs) come from the breakdown of everyday consumer products, entering the environment through natural processes like oxidation. These tiny particles are easily absorbed into the human body through inhalation, skin contact, and diet. Previous research had already shown that these pollutants can cross the placental barrier, reaching fetal tissues during pregnancy. The Rutgers study, however, explored whether these particles stay in the body long after birth.
The research focused on newborn rats, finding that the same types of plastics inhaled by their mothers during pregnancy were still present in their organs weeks after birth. This finding raises concerns about the potential impact of these particles on human health.
Key Findings in Rodents
The Rutgers research team, led by Phoebe A. Stapleton, exposed pregnant rats to aerosolized food-grade plastic particles for 10 days. Stapleton explained that rodents make good study subjects because they share a similar placental structure with humans, allowing for accurate observations of how pollutants can cross from mother to fetus.
Two weeks after the birth of the rats, the researchers examined a male and female newborn. In both cases, they found the same plastic particles in the lungs, liver, kidney, heart, and brain tissues of the newborns. No plastics were detected in a control group of rats that were not exposed to the particles during pregnancy.
“Nobody wants plastic in their liver,” said Stapleton. “Now that we know it’s there – as well as in other organs – the next step is to understand why and what that means.”
Health Concerns and Broader Impact
Micro- and nanoplastics are a common environmental pollutant, detected in food, farmland, seawater, and even the world’s most remote areas like deep oceans and mountain peaks. Increasing evidence links these invisible particles to various health issues, including cancer, inflammation, immune dysfunction, tissue damage, and heart problems.
“These results raise concerns for the toxicological impacts associated with MNPs exposure, maternal-fetal health, and systemic MNPs particle deposition,” noted the research team.
Call for More Research and Policy Change:
Stapleton emphasized the need for more research on the long-term effects of microplastics. She hopes the study will encourage policymakers to increase funding for further studies.
“Without answers, we can’t have policy change,” Stapleton said. She believes the findings could eventually lead to stricter regulations on toxic plastics, helping to safeguard public health.
While Stapleton acknowledges that eliminating plastics entirely is unlikely, she is optimistic about future policies that could identify and limit the use of the most harmful plastics.
“They’re too important for modern life. But I do think we might get to a point where we’ll have some policies to indicate which ones are less toxic than others,” she said.
The study underscores the urgency of understanding the impact of microplastics on human health. With growing evidence of their potential risks, scientists and policymakers are working together to fill knowledge gaps and create safer environments for future generations.