Researchers from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) have published an overview in the leading scientific journal Nature Medicine of what has so far been concluded about their potential harmful health effects. Their message: there is an urgent need for more and better research.
Microplastics everywhere
Previous studies show that microplastics can penetrate places in our bodies where you would not expect them: in the lungs, intestines, reproductive organs, the placenta, and even the brain. Experiments with animals and human cells demonstrate that the particles can pass through cells and tissues and may cause damage there. Clinical studies in humans further point to possible effects on the immune system, fertility, and the cardiovascular system.
Why is more research needed?
According to VU professors Marja Lamoree (Analytical Chemistry) and Majorie van Duursen (Environmental Health and Toxicology), current studies are often too small, fail to properly establish harmful effects, and lack reliable measurement methods to determine exactly how much plastic people are exposed to. As a result, it is not yet possible to make a trustworthy assessment of the health risks. New techniques and better-designed studies are necessary to fill this gap.
Impact on public health
The presence of microplastics in our bodies raises questions that concern everyone. If it becomes clear that these particles have harmful effects, this could have consequences for public health, policy, and the way we handle plastics in daily life. The VU research therefore emphasizes the urgency of international cooperation to develop better measurement methods and studies to understand the potential harmful effects. Lamoree: “We are only at the beginning of understanding what microplastics do to our health. It is crucial that we investigate this thoroughly now, before the problem grows larger.”
