Growing awareness of the amount of microplastics in our environment has led to concerns about their impact on human health, especially as a result of routine ingestion.
Now, a new study has taken the first step toward measuring the impact that ingesting microplastics may have on our bodies.
What is happening?
SpringerOpen She shared a study published in the journal Microplastics and nanoplasticswhich took a look at the oral toxicity of microplastics, especially polyamide microplastics.
Most previous research on the effects of ingested microplastics has been limited to studying polystyrene beads, which does not represent the scope of microplastics.
As the study stated in its abstract: “There is a severe lack of standardized in vivo studies investigating human risks from microplastics through OECD testing guidelines.”
To study the potential effects of ingestion, the researchers fed mice microplastics for 28 days. The results showed that there was no significant acute toxicity in the mice by the end of the test period.
While it’s good news that the direct harmful effects of microplastic ingestion 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 lasting consequences.
It has also been discovered that the physical and chemical properties of polyamide affect how it is distributed in the body after ingestion, with microplastics accumulating in organs such as the liver.
This raises the question of whether microplastics may increase the health risks of environmental toxins or chemical additives.
Why is this discovery alarming?
As the study stated, microplastics are now found in almost everything we come in contact with, including water, soil, and food, thanks to plastic waste.
We are always at risk of ingesting microplastics, which can remain in our bodies forever, so the conclusions of this study provide new insights into the health risks of consuming microplastics.
Previous research on the impact of microplastics on the human body has likely linked microplastics to several health problems, including dementia, weight gain, hormonal imbalance, decreased fertility, and increased risk of heart disease.
If the results of this study hold up in further research, microplastics in the body may also amplify other toxins, increasing the risk of additional health problems, although more research is needed on this.
What is being done about plastic waste?
World governments and companies continue to take steps to reduce plastic waste, from creating more sustainable product packaging to adhering to international agreements designed to reduce plastic use.
Individuals can help protect themselves from ingesting microplastics by using water filters designed to filter out microplastics Reduce the amount of plastic they use And ignore.
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