Article Synopsis
- Microplastics are produced for various purposes, shed from clothing, or generated from the decay of larger plastic items, posing potential health risks as they accumulate in human tissues.
- A study using Raman spectroscopy in Hawai'i revealed a noticeable rise in microplastics in discarded placentas over the last 15 years, indicating changes in size and chemical makeup of these pollutants.
- This research highlights the specific vulnerability of Pacific Island communities to plastic pollution and suggests that human tissues could serve as a new method for monitoring environmental plastic contamination.
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Article Abstract
Microplastics are created for commercial use, are shed from textiles, or result from the breakdown of larger plastic items. Recent reports have shown that microplastics accumulate in human tissues and may have adverse health consequences. Currently, there are no standardized environmental monitoring systems to track microplastic accumulation within human tissues. Using Raman spectroscopy, we investigated the temporal exposures to plastic pollution in Hawai'i and noted a significant increase in the accumulation of microplastics in discarded placentas over the past 15 years, with changes in the size and chemical composition of the polymers. These findings provide a rare insight into the vulnerability and sensitivity of Pacific Island residents to plastic pollution and illustrate how discarded human tissues can be used as an innovative environmental plastic pollution monitoring system.
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| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10593309 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2023.108220 | DOI Listing |
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