New Study Finds Plastics From Nanomedicines Could Be Transferred To Embryos

A new study published in Environment International has revealed Nanoplastics can still build up in newborn hearts that shed a new light on how such small plastic particle can create such a major hazard in our physical health.

What Are Nanoplastics?

It’s no secret that plastic has become an overabundant material in our daily use, from the cups we use at cafes to the packaging material for every small gift. Plastics that have been exposed to nature in particular start shedding small ‘nanoplastic’ particles wherever they go. Now, these tiny particles are posing a major problem.

From the oceans where we get our fish, to the soil where our plants are being uprooted to our very blood, nanoplastics have gotten anywhere. The presence of these particles in the human body pose a particular concern, as the researchers started to ask the question: what happens now if these nanoplastics are present inside newborns of the coming generation.

How Was The Study Conducted?

The study was conducted on chicken embryos by a group of researchers from Leiden University. According to the researchers, the study was conducted on chicken embryos, as it is easier to inject substances and take precise, observable measurements to see how the embryo develops inside the mother’s womb.

Since these nanoparticles are so small, it’s practically impossible to see them through conventional microscopes. As a result, the progress is tracked by tagging the nanoparticles with a clearly visible metal.

Their main finding was that these nanoplastics are capable of crossing the walls of the blood vessels themselves, leading them to build up to relatively high levels in the hart and kidneys.

Interestingly enough, the researchers also found nanoplastics in the avascular heart cushions that do not contain blood vessels. This suggests that these nanoplastics could pass into the heart of the embryo, directly through the fenestrate, which is a small opening that plays a role in forming and remodeling the heart’s structure during its development.

The study could potentially lead interesting results for the future, as we better our understanding of how these nanoplastics are spread to such an extent. Even if the outlook isn’t necessarily good, it could bring a change to how we approach our plastic consumption. As of right now, there’s already an understanding of how there needs to be more mindful use of nanomedicines when it comes to pregnant women.