Nanoplastics (in green) inside a zebra fish cell
CREDIT: UAB/CREAF
We live in a world invaded by plastic. Its role as a chemically stable, versatile and multi-purpose fostered its massive use, which has finally translated into our current situation of planetary pollution. Moreover, when plastic degrades it breaks into smaller micro and nanoparticles, becoming present in the water we drink, the air we breathe and almost everything we touch. That is how nanoplastics penetrate the organism and produce side effects.
A revised study led by the Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona (UAB), the CREAF and the Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM) at the University of Aveiro, Portugal, and published in the journal Science Bulletin, verifies that the nanoplastics affect the composition and diversity of our intestinal microbiome and that this can cause damage to our health. This effect can be seen in both vertebrates and invertebrates, and has been proved in situations in which the exposure is widespread and prolonged. Additionally, with alteration of the gut microbiome come alterations in the immune, endocrine and nervous system and therefore, although not enough is known about the specific physiological mechanisms, the study alerts that stress to the gut microbiome could alter the health of humans.
The health effects of being exposed to nanoplastics was traditionally evaluated in aquatic animals such as molluscs, crustaceans and fish. Recent in vitro analyses, using cell cultures of fish and mammals, has allowed scientists to analyse the changes in gene expression associated with the presence of nanoplastics from a toxicological viewpoint. The majority of neurological, endocrine and immunological tracts in these vertebrates are very similar to those of humans, and therefore authors warn that some of the effects observed in these models could also be applied to humans. Understanding and analysing the process through which these plastic fragments penetrate the organism and harm it is fundamental, as is determining precisely the amount and typology of nanoplastics polluting the environment. For this reason, researchers highlight not only the need to further study the specific mechanisms and effects on human cell models, but also unify analysis methodologies in order to conduct correct measurements of the quantity of nanoplastics present in different ecosystems.
Mariana Teles, researcher at the UAB, in collaboration with other researchers such as Josep Peñuelas, CSIC lecturer at the CREAF, comments that “this article does not aim to raise the alarm, but it does seek to warn about the fact that plastic can be found in almost everything surrounding us, it does not disintegrate and we are constantly exposed to it. At the moment, we can only speculate on the long-term effects this can have on human health, although we already have evidence in several studies describing hormonal and immune alterations in fish exposed to nanoplastics, and which could be applied to humans”.
Invasive and Toxic
The study presents the main environmental sources through which nanoplastics enter the human body and summarises how they are able to penetrate the body: by ingesting them, occasionally inhaling them, and very rarely by being in contact with human skin.
Once they are ingested, up to 90% of the plastic fragments that reach the intestine are excreted. However, one part is fragmented into nanoplastics which are capable, due to their small size and molecular properties, to penetrate the cells and cause harmful effects. The study establishes that alterations in food absorption have been described, as well as inflammatory reactions in the intestinal walls, changes in the composition and functioning of the gut microbiome, effects on the body’s metabolism and ability to produce, and lastly, alterations in immune responses. The article alerts about the possibility of a long-term exposure to plastic, accumulated throughout generations, could give way to unpredictable changes even in the very genome, as has been observed in some animal models.
The team in which Mariana Teles (Evolutive Immunology Group, IBB-UAB) is member also recently published a second article analysing the effects of nanoplastics in fish. The study, which is the result of Irene Brandts’ PhD thesis directed by Nerea Roher, was published in Environmental Science: Nano and analyses the consequences of being exposed to nanoplastics to the immune system of a zebrafish (a small tropical fish widely used as a model organism for research). The scientists conclude that the nanoplastics can accumulate both in the cells and in the embryos of the zebrafish, additionally causing changes in the levels of genes relevant to the correct functioning of the animal’s immune system. Despite this fact, the capacity of zebrafish embryos to survive a bacterial infection was not affected by the exposure to nanoplastics. The team of researchers nonetheless defend the need to continue research in this field, given that the presence of microplastics and nanoplastics in our ecosystems is an extremely crucial environmental issue which needs answers in order to understand how far-reaching any possible consequences may be.
Responsible usage
The review study acknowledges that different techniques are being tested to eliminate nanoplastics from the water, such as filtration, centrifugation and flocculation of wastewater, and the treatment of rainwater. Although the results are promising, they are limited to treating larger particles of plastics, and therefore until date no effective solution has been found for the elimination of nanoplastics from the environment.
“To solve this problem of plastic pollution, human routines must change and policies should be based on informed decisions on the known risks and available alternatives. Individual actions such as the use of more environmentally-friendly products and an increase in recycling indexes are important”, Mariana Teles comments.
“The authorities can promote these pro-environmental actions through economic stimuli, such as tax benefits for reusing plastic as industrial raw material, as well as bottle deposit schemes for consumers”, researchers recommend.
The Latest Updates from Bing News & Google News
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Nanoplastics
- What are microplastics doing to human health? Scientists work to connect the dots
People unknowingly ingest microplastics from what we eat, drink and breathe. Some scientists fear exposure to microplastics could increase vulnerability to heart disease, cancer and other illnesses.
- Are nonstick pans safe? What to know.
“The safest bet is to not purchase a pan that is marketed as nonstick, and choose cast iron or carbon steel,” says Stoiber. Choosing other types of cookware without PFAS — which can also include ...
- A global study just revealed the world’s biggest known plastic polluters
Sometimes it’s hard to know which companies are behind all this plastic — but now, scientists have identified some of the largest contributors. The largest contributor was Coca-Cola, which accounted ...
- Scientists warn of gateway for plastic pollution to enter human body
Microplastics are a source of poisons that can potentially enter a human body through sweat, according to scientists based in Britain, who warned of "potential adverse effects" such as endocrine ...
- Turning The Tide on Plastic Pollution Requires a Bold Global Effort | Opinion
We are at a tipping point. Plastic pollution is affecting planet, animal, and human health. We have hope that INC-4 stakeholders will take important steps toward solidifying a global treaty on plastic ...
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Nanoplastics
[google_news title=”” keyword=”nanoplastics” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Health effects of nanoplastics
- What are microplastics doing to human health? Scientists work to connect the dots
People unknowingly ingest microplastics from what we eat, drink and breathe. Some scientists fear exposure to microplastics could increase vulnerability to heart disease, cancer and other illnesses.
- Are nonstick pans safe? What to know.
“The safest bet is to not purchase a pan that is marketed as nonstick, and choose cast iron or carbon steel,” says Stoiber. Choosing other types of cookware without PFAS — which can also include ...
- How microplastics can impact health, as plastic wet wipes to be banned in UK
It comes as scientists are beginning to examine the impact of microplastics on human health. Microplastics primarily come from ... There is evidence that microplastics have harmful effects on the ...
- Dr. Sharon Dodd: Plastics are a hazard to human health and the world needs to act — now
As a practising family physician and member of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, I am especially concerned about the serious health hazards of plastics on human health, in ...
- Experts tell lawmakers about harmful effects of microplastics
One expert cited a link between the creation of plastic and dramatically declining fertility rates and sperm counts. The post Experts tell lawmakers about harmful effects of microplastics appeared ...
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Health effects of nanoplastics
[google_news title=”” keyword=”health effects of nanoplastics” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]