Microplastics Found in Newborns' Lungs, Hearts, and Brains: Rutgers Study Raises Alarms

A groundbreaking study from Rutgers University has discovered that microplastics can infiltrate the organs of newborns, raising concerns about the long-term health effects of plastic pollution. Researchers found that microplastics, which are commonly present in consumer products, can be inhaled by pregnant mothers and passed on to their unborn children. In the study, tiny plastic particles were detected in critical organs like the lungs, hearts, kidneys, and even the brains of newborn mice exposed during pregnancy.

This alarming discovery highlights the potential dangers of micro- and nanoplastic particles (MNPs) and their ability to cross the placental barrier. The researchers exposed pregnant rats to aerosolized food-grade plastics, and then found that their newborns carried the same plastic particles in their organs two weeks after birth. Although these findings come from animal studies, they raise serious concerns about the effects of plastic pollution on human health. Experts are calling for further research to understand the implications of microplastic exposure in developing fetuses and how these particles might affect long-term health.