Scientists in Rome have discovered microplastics in the placentas of women who had newly given birth. They describe this as “a matter of great concern” and say that it could be damaging to a developing fetus’s immune system.
Microplastics are small pieces of plastic no longer than five millimeters. They come from a variety of sources like larger plastic debris that degrade into smaller pieces, as well as microbeads added as exfoliants to health and beauty products like cleansers and toothpaste, and sunscreens.
These tiny particles pass through water filtration systems and end up in the ocean and pose a potential threat to aquatic life as well as human.
Now, these synthetic substances have been discovered in small tissue samples of four women’s placentas for the very first time. These samples form part of a study in Italy by Rome’s Fatebenefratelli Hospital, in which six women donated samples of their placentas after birth.
The study found 12 microplastic fragments in four placentas of the six participants. Only 3% of the tissue from each placenta was sampled, which suggests the total number of microplastics could be even higher than 12.
“Three were identified as stained polypropylene a thermoplastic polymer, while for the other nine it was possible to identify only the pigments, which were all used for man-made coatings, paints, adhesives, plasters, finger paints, polymers and cosmetics, and personal care products,” said Dr Antonio Ragusa, lead author of the study.
The participants had no complications with birthing their children, and the impact of these microplastics is yet unknown. When you consider the number of personal care cosmetics that are consumed by Americans, that number is staggering. Yet no studies have been done here to date to see the impact of microplastics on both humans and animals in our country.
“With the presence of plastic in the body, the immune system that self-recognizes is disturbed, even what is not organic, said researchers from the study. “It’s like having a cyborg baby, no longer composed only of human cells, but a mixture of a biological entity and inorganic entities.
The paper concluded: “Due to the crucial role of the placenta in supporting the fetus development and in acting as an interface between the latter and the external environment, the presence of exogenous and potentially harmful (plastic) particles is a matter of great concern.”
Yes, we use microbeads, but they are made of the finest jojoba oil, that breaks open when rubbed and leaves behind a beautiful and luxurious layer of goodness and hydration. Yes, they are very much more expensive than plastic microbeads, but they protect the mom’s, babies, and sea life.
Contact us today to see these beautiful microbeads in fantastic colors that will not only be a beautiful visual addition to your product but one that gives the skin a beautiful glow and lots of moisture! Looking forward to solving the problems of the environment and setting a very high standard in the persona care and cosmetic market.