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Review: Microplastics: A threat for developing and repairing organs? — R0/PR3
Summary
This peer review document covers a study compiling evidence that micro- and nanoplastics (MNP) and their chemical additives can impair developmental and regenerative processes across multiple organs, including the placenta, liver, lung, and nervous system, based on human and rodent data. The review raises particular alarm about exposure during early developmental windows when genomic programming is occurring. These findings suggest that the ubiquitous presence of MNP in the human body may carry underappreciated risks for fetal health and tissue repair throughout life.
Plastic production has greatly increased in the past decades and has become central to modern human life. Realization is dawning that plastics break down into smaller pieces resulting in micro- or nanoplastics (MNP) that can enter humans directly via the environment. Indeed, MNP have been detected in every part of the human body, including the placenta, which is concerning for development. Early developmental stages are crucial for proper growth and genome programming. Environmental disruptors in MNP can have detrimental effects during this critical window as well and can increase the risk of developing disease and dysfunction. In addition, MNP may impact situations in which developmental pathways are reactivated after birth such as during organ repair. Currently, there is no overview of how MNP can impair (human) development and repair. Therefore, we provide an extensive overview of available evidence on MNP impacting developmental and regenerative processes in various organs in humans and rodent models. In addition, we have included the impact of some additives that can leach from these MNP. We conclude that MNP and their additives can have modulating effects on developing and regenerating organs.