The researchers studied the effect nanoplastics In developing chicken embryos a series of abnormalities generated by bodies that receive this name when their size is smaller than 25 nanometers are observed. While we do not yet know directly how these microparticles affect human health, research like this indicates concern about their presence in the body.

The study was conducted by Leiden University in the Netherlands, whose scientists were presented nanoplastics of polystyrene (its stretched version is called Styrofoam) in developing avian embryos. The concentration introduced was high, at levels not normally found in the body of animals, but the extreme case really managed to give us an idea of ​​what might be going on, even with lower intensity, at the fetal stage.

Effects of nanoplastics

Deformities were observed in the nervous system, heart, eyes and some parts of the face of the chicken embryo after the introduction of polystyrene nanoparticles. Apparently, the problem is how they affect the neural crests—these stem cells form early in the development of all vertebrates, starting with what would become the spinal cord and then migrating to other parts of the nervous system and beyond. different vital organssuch as arteries, heart and face.

Laboratory analyzes showed that the nanoplastics “indirectly” target the nerve apexes, causing their death. These cells are sticky, so nanoparticles can stick to them and damage the organs that depend on them for their growth. The metaphor used by the study’s author, Michael Richardson, is that of flour: The substance, when we make bread, is used to reduce the sticky side of dough.

In the case of the study, it’s as if the nanoparticles are the flour, but that instead of just reducing the property, it also spoils the mass, which would be the neural peaks. We already have evidence of microplastics in almost every corner of the planet, especially in natural environments such as Antarctic ice human vital organs, Even in newborns.

Nanoplastics, that is, plastics with a size of 25 nanometers or less, are so small that they can penetrate anywhere in our body, including crossing the blood-brain barrier – that is, between the blood and the brain, which protects the organ from potential neurotoxic substances present in the blood.

In animals, we are beginning to discover the toxic effects of nanoplastics, knowledge that the new study helps build on. This month, scientists identified a new condition caused by ingesting plastic at a level that compromises the ability to absorb nutrients needed for growth – plasticization.

source: Hazardous Substances JournalAnd Leiden UniversityAnd international environment

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