A new study from Rutgers University reveals that microplastics can be passed from pregnant mothers to their unborn offspring, potentially leading to long-term health consequences. The research, published in the Science of the Total Environment, shows that tiny plastic particles accumulate in newborn mice’s lungs, heart, liver, kidneys, and brain after their mothers were exposed to inhaled polyamide-12 (PA-12) during pregnancy.
Researchers found that these microplastics can cross the placenta, raising concerns about the health risks for human fetuses. While microplastics are known to enter the human body through inhalation, diet, and skin absorption, this study provides new evidence that they persist in critical organs long after birth.
“Nobody wants plastic in their liver,” said senior author Phoebe A. Stapleton, associate professor at Rutgers’ School of Pharmacy. She emphasized the need for further research to understand the impact of these particles on maternal and fetal health.
This discovery underscores the potential dangers of microplastics in the environment and the urgency of addressing their presence in everyday products. The study calls for more research to assess the long-term toxicological effects on humans.
