The Hidden Danger of Microplastics

How They Can Cross the Placental Barrier and Affect the Fetal Development

Image by olgsera from Freepik

Recent scientific discoveries reveal a disturbing reality: microplastics, these tiny particles resulting from the degradation of plastics, have found refuge in a place that was previously considered inviolable, the human placenta.

What are microplastics and where do they come from?

Microplastics are small pieces of plastic that are less than 5 millimeters in size. They can originate from various sources, such as:

• The fragmentation of larger plastic items, such as bottles, bags, or fishing nets, due to exposure to sunlight, heat, or mechanical stress.
• The shedding of synthetic fibers from clothing, carpets, or upholstery, due to washing, drying, or wearing.
• The intentional use of microbeads or microspheres in personal care products, such as toothpaste, cosmetics, or exfoliants.
• The release of microplastics from industrial processes, such as manufacturing, packaging, or transportation.

Microplastics are ubiquitous in the environment, and have been detected in various media, such as soil, water, air, and biota. They can be transported by wind, water…