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Characterization of micro- and nanoplastics in human placental tissue by pyrolysis gas chromatographic ion mobility mass spectrometry
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Scientists used a sensitive new testing method to look for tiny plastic particles in placentas from 46 pregnancies, finding plastic in about 4 in 10 people tested. While this study didn't find a clear link between plastic levels and pregnancy complications, the amounts varied a lot between samples and there was a hint (not yet proven) that plastic exposure might affect male and female babies differently, meaning bigger studies are needed to figure out if these ubiquitous plastic particles pose a real risk during pregnancy.
Introduction Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are pervasive in the environment and are increasingly being detected in human tissues, including placenta, yet their effects on pregnancy outcome remain poorly understood. Methods This study utilized pyrolysis gas chromatography x cyclic ion mobility mass spectrometry (Py-GCxcIMS) to overcome lipid interference and improve quantification of MNPs in human placentas from forty-six participants. Polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS) were targeted for analysis. Results MNPs were detected in 26% of placental tissue samples (24/92) and in 41% of participants (19/46), with total polymer concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 12.3 μg/g (mean total of 0.5 μg/g). The variability in microplastic concentrations across the different placental regions highlights the organ’s heterogeneous nature. Discussion Polypropylene was the most frequently detected, while polystyrene showed the highest mean concentration. Although no direct link to birth outcomes was found, the exploratory analysis suggested sex-specific association in complicated pregnancies (p = 0.071 for males) underscores the need for expanded cohort studies. These results provide evidence of MNP presence in human placental tissue, emphasizing the importance of larger human cohort studies and robust analytical methods to better understand the potential impact MNPs have on pregnancy and fetal health.
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