Plastic particles found in placenta
Access this resource now! Click here to view or download the document on Google Drive. Researchers at San Giovanni Calibita Fatebenefratelli Hospital in Rome reported finding microplastic particles in the placenta of four women who had normal pregnancies and births. The babies were delivered using a plastic-free protocol to prevent contamination. The particles were found on both sides of the placenta and in the chorioamniotic membranes , most of them 10 microns in size, which means they are small enough to enter and travel through the bloodstream. The microplastics may have emanated from packaging, paints, or cosmetics that were either used, consumed , or inhaled by the mothers. Globally, more than 300 million tons of plastics are produced each year. While only 9% of plastic waste is recycled, the majority ends up in landfills and waterways, polluting the environment. Previous studies have found mi...