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Occurrence of Polyethylene Terephthalate and Polycarbonate Microplastics in Infant and Adult Feces
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Researchers measured microplastic levels in the stool of infants and adults in New York and found that infants had significantly higher concentrations of PET microplastics, about ten times more than adults. The likely sources include plastic baby bottles, food packaging, and toys that infants frequently put in their mouths. This study provides some of the first direct evidence that babies are exposed to more microplastics than adults, raising questions about potential health effects during early development.
Although human exposure to microplastics (MPs) and the health effects thereof are a global concern, little is known about the magnitude of exposure. In this study, we quantitatively determined the concentrations of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polycarbonate (PC) MPs in three meconium and six infant and 10 adult feces samples collected from New York State. PET and PC MPs were found in some meconium samples (at concentration ranges from below the limit of quantification [<LOQ] to 12,000 and <LOQ–110 ng/g dry weight, respectively) and all infant stool specimens (PET: 5700–82,000 ng/g, median, 36,000 ng/g; PC: 49–2100 ng/g, median, 78 ng/g). They were also found in most (PET) or all (PC) adult stool samples but at concentrations an order of magnitude lower than in infants for PET MPs (<LOQ–16,000 ng/g, median, 2600 ng/g). The estimated mean daily exposures from the diet of infants to PET and PC MPs were 83,000 and 860 ng/kg body weight per day, respectively, which were significantly higher than those of adults (PET: 5800 ng/kg-bw/day; PC: 200 ng/kg-bw/d). Our study suggests that infants are exposed to higher levels of MPs than adults.
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Microplastic Exposure to Infants
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This review summarizes current evidence on microplastic exposure in infants, covering detection in feces, breast milk, and infant formulas. The authors highlight that infants may face greater health risks from microplastic exposure than adults due to immature metabolic systems and higher sensitivity.
An Overview of the Possible Exposure of Infants to Microplastics
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This review summarizes the ways infants can be exposed to microplastics, including through the placenta before birth, breast milk, infant formula, plastic feeding bottles, and toys. Infants may face higher risks because their bodies are still developing and are less able to process and remove these particles. The authors call for more research and greater attention to reducing microplastic exposure in products designed for babies.
Polyethylene Terephthalate and Polycarbonate Microplastics in Pet Food and Feces from the United States
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Researchers measured PET and polycarbonate microplastics in pet food and pet feces from the United States. They found that microplastic concentrations in cat and dog feces were one to two orders of magnitude higher than in their food, suggesting that diet is only a minor source of pet microplastic exposure. The findings indicate that pets, like humans, are exposed to microplastics through multiple pathways in their shared living environments.
What Health Concerns Could Micro and Nanoplastics Pose for Infants? A Review
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Microplastics and nanoplastics have been detected in human placentas, meconium, and infant faeces, meaning babies can be exposed before and immediately after birth. This review examines what these early-life exposures might mean for infant health and development, and discusses broader policy responses to reduce plastic overproduction as the most direct route to protecting future generations.
Detection of various microplastics in placentas, meconium, infant feces, breastmilk and infant formula: A pilot prospective study
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In a pilot study of 18 mother-infant pairs, researchers detected microplastics in placentas, meconium (first stool), infant feces, breast milk, and infant formula. The finding of microplastics in breast milk and formula means that infants are exposed to microplastics from their earliest feedings, both natural and artificial. This study reveals that microplastic exposure begins before birth and continues through infancy, a critical period of development.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.