Microplastics Found to Cross Human Placenta and Arterial Walls

Researchers at the Free University of Amsterdam created a three‑layer cell model of the human placenta and showed that several types of micro‑ and nanoplastic particles can pass through all layers of the barrier. Exposure altered the production of steroid hormones, reducing metabolites of male hormones and affecting estrogen levels.

A separate investigation by scientists at Capital Medical University in China examined 17 human arterial samples taken during surgery and detected microplastic particles in every specimen. Arteries with existing fatty plaques, such as coronary and carotid arteries, contained roughly twice the amount of microplastics compared with plaque‑free aortic samples, suggesting a possible link between microplastic exposure and cardiovascular disease. Both studies highlight the potential for widespread microplastic contamination to affect critical human tissues and raise concerns for public health.