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Plastic and Placenta: Identification of Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Compounds in the Human Placenta by HPLC-MS/MS System
Summary
Researchers detected polyethylene glycol (PEG) compounds — a petroleum-derived polymer used widely in medicine and industry — in human placenta samples for the first time using high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, raising questions about fetal exposure to synthetic polymers.
The placenta is a crucial interface between the fetus and the maternal environment. It allows for nutrient absorption, thermal regulation, waste elimination, and gas exchange through the mother's blood supply. Furthermore, the placenta determines important adjustments and epigenetic modifications that can change the phenotypic expression of the individual even long after birth. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a polyether compound derived from petroleum with many applications, from medicine to industrial manufacturing. In this study, for the first time, an integration of ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) was used to detect suites of PEG compounds in human placenta samples, collected from 12 placentas, originating from physiological pregnancy. In 10 placentas, we identified fragments of PEG in both chorioamniotic membranes and placental cotyledons, for a total of 36 samples.