Microplastics everywhere: even in the human placenta?
There is evidence that plastic has touched every surface of the planet in the form of microplastic, even the ones that humans have not been capable of exploring themselves. Places like the deep ocean waters have microplastics, but there are no estimates of just how much is there. Plastic has also reached the soil, the air, and the food chain. Both humans and animals are believed to have ingested microplastics into their bodies [1]. One of the aggravators of this phenomenon is the new discovery that microplastic has been detected in the human placenta.
The placenta is a curious structure that the human body goes through, and so do most other mammals. It is an organ that forms during pregnancy, and it is delivered right after the baby’s birth. The organ connects the pregnant person to the fetus through the umbilical cord; it is the way that the fetus receives nutrients and gets rid of the wastes [2]. Needless to say that the placenta is an important organ for human reproduction.
Microplastics can be characterized as primary, that is, the ones that are made to be of a smaller-scale; or secondary, in this case, the plastic product is broken down into micro pieces. Both primary and secondary microplastics can last as long as any normal plastic - that is, from decades to centuries [1].
Image Credits: 4ocean [3]
As it was written above, there is now evidence that microplastics can sometimes be present in the placenta. In this pioneer published study 4 out of the 6 placentas donated had microplastics in them. . The researchers found 12 microplastic fragments in those placentas, and they were all pigmented. It was found that they came from various sources, ranging from paint to cosmetics. The placentas were collected and analyzed without plastic contamination; the chosen women were screened for underlying diseases and/or conditions [4].
The study did not analyze the placentas in their entirety, which could mean that there is potentially a larger amount of microplastics in them. They reach the placenta through the bloodstream. However, it is unknown to the authors “how MPs [microplastics] reach the bloodstream and if they come from the respiratory system or the gastrointestinal system”. As a foreign body and a toxic one, microplastics can trigger the immune system to overwork or underwork, compromising its functions and creating health issues. Considering that the placenta is the fetus' contact with the carrier and with the outside world, these alien debris can also interrupt their exchange, and even affect their idea of self. Similarly, some unfortunate effects can be preeclampsia and reduced fetal growth, both of which are serious pregnancy and birth complications [4].
This art is called Microplastics found in Human Embryo (2018) from the artist Robyn Glade-Wright. In her own words: “I imagined that a truly shocking idea would be to conflate the elation associated with the conception and promise of new life with the threat of harm from microplastic contamination.” [6]
Image Credit: Robyn Glade-Wright [5]
This new discovery brings to light how microplastic affects the environment in a way that we may not be completely able to comprehend. Such a pioneer discovery is just the tip of the iceberg, as the authors recognize that their research did not cover the whole placenta. Similarly, there may be many more potential research topics concerning microplastics and biotic organisms waiting to be explored. It is unfortunate that such an organic event such as creating and nurturing life can be affected by one of our worst habits. However, this finding could be seen as a positive one, as it can gear us towards change with our relationship with plastic and the health of our planet as a whole.
Editor: Agathe Leroy
References:
[1] Parker, Laura. 2020. Available online: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/microplastics-in-virtually-every-crevice-on-earth (accessed on 17 April 2021)
[2] https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/placenta/art-20044425#:~:text=The%20placenta%20is%20an%20organ,umbilical%20cord%20arises%20from%20it (accessed on 17 April 2021)
[3] https://www.4ocean.com/blogs/blog/microplastics-in-remote-locations (accessed on 17 April 2021).
[4] Antonio Ragusa, Alessandro Svelato, Criselda Santacroce, Piera Catalano, Valentina Notarstefano, Oliana Carnevali, Fabrizio Papa, et al. “Plasticenta: First Evidence of Microplastics in Human Placenta.” Environment International 146 (2021): 106274–74.
[5] https://www.robyngladewright.com/ (accessed on 17 April 2021).
[6] Robyn Glade-Wright. “Plastic Gothic: Frankenstein, Art and the Microplastic Monster.” Etropic: Electronic Journal of Studies in the Tropics 18 (2019).
