Plastic bits and chemicals might be hurting our bodies
MICROPLASTICS AND ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS IN HUMAN HEALTH: FROM ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE TO CELLULAR AND EPIGENETIC IMPACT
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Tiny pieces of plastic and a chemical called BPA from plastics can get into our bodies and even reach babies before birth. These can mess up tiny parts inside our cells and change how our genes work. In fish, BPA hurts the gut and liver, especially in males and females differently. Probiotics might help protect against some of this damage.
Surprising Findings
Microplastics have been found inside human placental cells, not just circulating nearby.
Many assume placenta acts as a full barrier protecting the fetus, but this shows microplastics can breach it and enter cellular compartments.
Practical Takeaways
Consider reducing use of plastic food containers and canned goods lined with BPA, especially during pregnancy.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Tiny pieces of plastic and a chemical called BPA from plastics can get into our bodies and even reach babies before birth. These can mess up tiny parts inside our cells and change how our genes work. In fish, BPA hurts the gut and liver, especially in males and females differently. Probiotics might help protect against some of this damage.
Surprising Findings
Microplastics have been found inside human placental cells, not just circulating nearby.
Many assume placenta acts as a full barrier protecting the fetus, but this shows microplastics can breach it and enter cellular compartments.
Practical Takeaways
Consider reducing use of plastic food containers and canned goods lined with BPA, especially during pregnancy.
Publication
Journal
Journal of Biological Research - Bollettino della Società Italiana di Biologia Sperimentale
Year
2025
Related Content
Claims (6)
Tiny plastic particles might mess with your body's hormones and cause cell damage, which could lead to health problems over time.
Tiny pieces of plastic have been found in the placenta, blood, breastmilk, and even a newborn’s first stool, which means babies might be exposed to plastic pollution before they’re born — and that could be a health concern.
Tiny plastic particles have been found in the placenta and might be messing with important parts inside cells, which could lead to stress in the body and increase the risk of diseases like diabetes and heart problems.
BPA, a chemical in some plastics, might change how our genes work—without changing the genes themselves—and could cause fertility problems that last for years and even affect future generations.
In zebrafish, being exposed to BPA — a chemical found in some plastics — can harm their gut, change their gut bacteria, and mess with their liver, and these effects are different in males and females.