Growing awareness about the amount of microplastics found in our environment has raised concerns about their impact on human health, particularly as a result of routine ingestion.
Now, a new study has taken the first step towards quantifying the impact that ingesting microplastics can have on our bodies.
What is happening?
SpringerOpen shared a study, published in the journal Microplastics and Nanoplastics, that looked at the oral toxicity of microplastics, particularly polyamide microplastics.
Most previous research on the effects of ingested microplastics was limited to studying polystyrene beads, which are not representative of the extent of microplastics.
As the study states in its abstract: “There is a serious lack of standardized in vivo studies investigating the human hazard of microplastics according to OECD testing guidelines.”
To study the potential effects of ingestion, the researchers fed rats microplastics for 28 days. The results showed that at the end of the test period no marked acute toxicity occurred in the rats.
While it is good news that the immediate harmful effects of ingesting microplastics are limited, the study also documented subtle but significant changes in the composition of the gut microbiome and inflammatory markers. These findings suggest that prolonged exposure to microplastics may have long-lasting consequences.
It was also discovered that the physicochemical properties of polyamide influence how it is distributed in the body after ingestion, with the microplastic accumulating in organs such as the liver.
This raises the question of whether microplastics can amplify health risks from environmental toxins or chemical additives.
Why is this discovery worrying?
As the study indicates, microplastics are now found in virtually everything we come into contact with, including water, soil and food, thanks to plastic waste.
We are constantly at risk of ingesting microplastics, which can remain in our bodies forever, so the findings of this study offer new insights into the health risks of consuming microplastics.
Previous research into the effect of microplastics on the human body has potentially linked microplastics to numerous health problems, including dementia, weight gain, hormonal disorders, decreased fertility, and an increased risk of heart disease.
If the findings of this study are confirmed in future research, then microplastics in the body could also amplify other toxins, increasing the risk of additional health problems, although more research is needed on the topic.
What is being done with plastic waste?
Governments and global corporations continue to take steps to reduce plastic waste, from creating more sustainable product packaging to committing to international agreements designed to reduce plastic use.
People can help protect themselves from ingesting microplastics by using water filters designed to filter out microplastics and reducing the amount of plastic they use and throw away.
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