Plasticenta: Microplastics in Human Placenta

Abstract

Summary paragraphMicroplastics are particles smaller than five millimetres obtained from the degradation of plastic objects abandoned in the environment. Microplastics can move from the environment to living organisms and, in fact, they have been found in fishes and mammals.Six human placentas, prospectively collected from consenting women with uneventful pregnancies, were analyzed by Raman Microspectroscopy to evaluate the presence of microparticles. Detected microparticles were characterized in terms of morphology and chemical composition.12 microparticles, ranging from 5 to 10 μm in size, were found in 4 out of 6 placentas: 5 in the foetal side, 4 in the maternal side and 3 in the chorioamniotic membranes. All the analyzed microparticles were pigmented: three of them were identified as stained polypropylene, while for the other nine it was possible to identify only the pigments, which are all used for man-made coatings, paints and dyes.Here we show, for the first time, the presence of microparticles and microplastics in human placenta. This sheds new light on the impact of plastic on human health. Microparticles and microplastics in the placenta, together with the endocrine disruptors transported by them, could have long-term effects on human health.

Maternal exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics causes brain abnormalities in progeny

“…Regarding the effects of micro-and nano-sized plastics on CNS development, exposure to plastic particles causes locomotion defects in zebrafish and mice 21,22 . Moreover, polypropylene microplastics (5-10 μm diameters) and silica nanoparticles (35-70 nm diameter) are directly delivered from pregnant females to fetal organs such as blood capillaries, the liver, and the brain through trophoblast layers and the placenta during embryogenesis 23 .…”

“…Moreover, polypropylene microplastics (5-10 μm diameters) and silica nanoparticles (35-70 nm diameter) are directly delivered from pregnant females to fetal organs such as blood capillaries, the liver, and the brain through trophoblast layers and the placenta during embryogenesis 23 .…”

Modification of poly(butylene succinate) with biodegradable glycolic acid: Significantly improved hydrolysis rate retaining high toughness property

“…Microplastics have higher mobility and transmission than macroplastics. Alessandio Svelato 6 even found 12 microplastic fragments with spheric or irregular shape in placentas.…”

Microfluidic-based in vitro thrombosis model for studying microplastics toxicity

“…After uptake, in many cases particles will come into contact with the blood system. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] However, whether these contaminants pose a substantial risk to the blood system is far from understood due to the complexity of the interaction processes, especially in the case of vascular injury. The development of a toxicology platform that realistically reproduces these interactions is urgently needed to further reveal the potential risk of MP-related blood issues.…”