Microplastics found in human placenta

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Studies have now found microplastics in snow, in the air, and low and behold: in human placentas.

Somehow the clear message that our entire lifestyles should not be wrapped in plastic—as we are literally consuming it and passing it on to the next generation—is not reaching the upper echelons of corporations. Babies are officially being born “pre-polluted.”

The research study was published in the journal: Environment International and conducted in a hospital in Rome where the particles were found in the placentas of four healthy women. Both the pregnancies and births were normal.

Plastic Attack Manifesto

Microplastics were detected on foetal and maternal sides of the placentas as well as within the membrane in which the foetus develops. The particles found had colouring, meaning that they most likely originated from packaging, and measured 10 microns in size (0.01mm)—small enough to be carried in our bloodstream.

At the moment there is not enough research regarding the health implications of microplastics in our bodies. The scientists did say that they could carry harmful cheemicals that could damage thee foetus’s developing immune system.

Milk? Sugar? Microplastics?

It is safe to say that the knowledge of plastic in our wombs creates a very uncomfortable image. Not only is our wildlife literally choking in plastic, but now our babies are being born wrapped in plastic packaging.

“It is like having a cyborg baby: no longer composed only of human cells, but a mixture of biological and inorganic entities,” said Antonio Ragusa, director of obstetrics and gynaecology at the San Giovanni Calibita Fatebenefratelli hospital in Rome, and who led the study to the Guardian

In October 2020, another research revealed that babies fed formula milk in plastic bottles were swallowing millions of plastic particles a day (this also happens if your boiler/coffee machine is made of plastic or if you use capsules).

“Due to the crucial role of placenta in supporting the foetus’s development and in acting as an interface with the external environment, the presence of potentially harmful plastic particles is a matter of great concern. Further studies need to be performed to assess if the presence of microplastics may trigger immune responses or may lead to the release of toxic contaminants, resulting in harm.”—paragraph from the study

what can you do to avoid ingesting microplastics?

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