Pregnancy in the Era of the Environmental Crisis: Plastic and Pollution

Abstract

Objective:The environmental crisis we are experiencing is becoming a more popular topic of expert discussion and analysis. Human activity and expansion on the planet are exacerbating climate change and global warming, this, together with the increase in plastic production, and general pollution, posing a threat to our resources, supplies, and survival. This research aims to review what is known about the association between pollution and pregnancy and sensitize experts to women's education towards healthier behaviors. Mechanism: We chose to focus on the effects of the environment on fetal development and maternal health, considering various studies that highlight the potential consequences of exposure to certain environmental stressors. The paper briefly illustrates the probable mechanisms that, starting from cellular and intracellular damage, determined above all by plastics, lead to chronic activation of the immune system in response to danger and, therefore, to epigenetic modifications at the base of diseases in adulthood. Findings in Brief: We describe the effects of the main pollutants on pregnancy, with particular attention to the role of plastic. Finally, we briefly outline some individual possible solutions to this complex problem. Conclusions: In the era of environmental crisis, becoming aware of the mechanisms behind biological damage resulting from exposure to certain pollutants and plastics, especially in a period as sensitive as pregnancy, should be the driving force behind a change of direction. As physicians, this means educating our patients and recommending individual solutions to reduce the impact of contaminants to provide the best possible environment for women's and children's health, especially during the delicate period of pregnancy; but the ultimate solution is to drastically reduce global plastic production and pollution, and to recycle the plastic that is needed anyway.

Presence of MNPs in Water Environment-pathways of Degradation and Impact on Organisms

“…Air pollution MNPs pose a significant threat already at the stage of prenatal life [95]. MNPs suspended in the air may penetrate the fetus through the placental-vascular barrier, which may result in deterioration of the functioning of the respiratory system in growing children and an increased incidence of respiratory infections, including recurrent pneumonia or bronchitis.…”

Impact of Microplastics on Pregnancy and Fetal Development: A Systematic Review

“…There is growing evidence of several potential health risks connected with this exposure [ 33 ]. The prevalence of microplastics in human tissues, such as the lung, blood, feces, kidney, liver, and breast milk, is becoming more and more evident [ 9 , 14 , 16 ].…”

“…Billions of tons of plastic litter the environment as a result of excessive plastic production and usage combined with inadequate garbage disposal [4][5][6][7]. The human body already contains microplastics; they have been found in the placenta, lungs, liver, urine, sputum, breast milk, and blood [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]. Studies investigating the possible harmful effects of microplastics on reproduction at the cellular level and in animal models have increased recently.…”

First Evidence of Microplastics in Human Urine, a Preliminary Study of Intake in the Human Body

“…Concentrations of PET and polycarbonate (PC) MPs of up to 82,000 ng/g and 2100 ng/g were detected, respectively, in three meconium samples from six infants and ten adult feces samples [ 22 ]. Moreover, MPs have been found in the human placenta, human breastmilk, and sputum [ 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ]. The presence of PP and PET microplastics was also detected in lung tissue samples (average of 1.42 ± 1.50 MP/g of tissue), supporting also inhalation as a route of exposure to environmental MPs [ 29 ].…”