Posted on 02/02/2025 9:56:03 AM PST by ConservativeMind
Microplastics, which are less than 5 millimeters, and nanoplastics, which are invisible to the naked eye, are widespread throughout our environment. Research has shown exposure to plastics in general is harmful to both the environment and humans.
Now, researchers will unveil findings that suggest microplastics and nanoplastics have been found in higher concentrations in the placentas of infants born prematurely compared to those born at term.
Researchers used highly sensitive mass spectrometry to analyze 175 placentas; 100 placentas collected at term and 75 collected preterm (less than 37 weeks of pregnancy).
"Advanced technology now enables us to accurately measure microplastics in ways we haven't been able to in the past," says Kjersti Aagaard, MD, Ph.D., MSCI.
Researchers found that the levels of microplastics and nanoplastics were significantly higher in preterm placenta and they were at much greater levels than previously measured in human blood. This led the investigators to conclude that plastics were likely accumulating in the placenta during pregnancy, with a greater exposure and accumulation occurring in cases of preterm birth.
"The finding of higher placental concentrations among preterm births was surprising because it was counterintuitive to what you might expect if it was merely a byproduct of the length of time of the pregnancy," says Enrico R. Barrozo, Ph.D.
"In other words, a preterm delivery not only accumulated more microplastics and nanoplastics in its placenta relative to term, but did so at an earlier time point in the pregnancy," added Aagaard.
"This hints at the possibility that the accumulation of plastics could be contributing to the risk and occurrence of preterm birth. When combined with other recent research, this study adds to the growing body of evidence, ranging from heart disease to potentially stroke, that demonstrates a real risk of exposure to plastics on human health and disease."
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
You could give blood, use mechanisms to capture bile, and hope staying hydrated can help your kidneys to by chance get rid of more, but otherwise, it comes down to cell breakdown and time. Our best bet seems to be source-reduction, but a large amount of household dust is from fine plastics, such as synthetic clothes and carpet naturally breaking down.
Consider high-filtration filter options for forced air and vacuums and frequent dusting and vacuuming.
The plastic differential in premature versus normal term placentas is striking. It was described as “significantly higher” in “microplastics and nanoplastics.”
Stupid article
5 micrometers or less, not millimeters
Ban all plastics now! /s
I once heard margarine is plastic.
i tried to tell people that the plastic diet wouldn’t work, but would they listen? Oh heck noooo
Nah. Just teach babies not to be born prematurely. Hang in there, baby!
Bottled water, dairy products, juices, soft drinks, etc. in plastics may not be such a great idea.
A reasonable ban on select plastics is not a sarcastic jest. It should be looked at. Hopefully RFK Jr can provide policy guidance on this. The amount of plastic utilized for everything is obscene. Packaging especially.
Some are aborted so a little plastic didn’t sound so bad
My body thinks so.
Margarine is made from vegetable oil and water.
My mother always called it Oleo Margarine, or just Oleo. A liquid form of margarine was once used in low pressure hydraulic systems, such as oleo struts. Primarily during WW II, I think.
Out of all the things that we have to worry about, nano plastics tops my list. Cumulative production of plastics since 1950 (when there were essentially zero plastics produced) is close to 10 BILLION tons, more than one ton per living human. Current global production rate is 0.4 billion tons/year.
Why does the guy on the right have a shawl collar with a necktie? Who does that?
It was the 60s.
5 mm is the official definition. The fragments are broken down from larger plastic debris, are not visible in water and will either float or sink depending on what they are made of. That is 99% of the plastics found in marine environments or waterways.
Mrs. Robinson’s boyfriend?
Bottled water does contain microplastics. Matter of fact microplastics are abundant everywhere, even found in seabirds on remote islands.
I believe they are more of a threat to the environment than “climate change” will ever be.
My packaging professor researched biodegradable plastics for this very reason.
The problem is such plastics are more expensive. Engineers can certainly produce them, but if one adds even 1/100th of a cent to costs management will not want it.
In some areas, namely Europe, Taiwan, Korea and Japan the end user of non-recyclable, non-biodegradable packaging must pay a disposal fee.
This is one instance where government does have a role; companies should not be able to externalize their costs on the general public and wildlife.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.