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Born Toxic

We’ve all wondered if the plastic in our environment reaches our unborn babies in the womb and now, for the first time, scientists have actually found small plastic fragments in the human placenta.1

Plastic, in its many forms, is very useful and not likely to disappear off the shelves anytime soon. So limiting exposure, especially when pregnant, becomes a key step in avoiding microplastic toxicity. There are many chemicals in plastic that give it its pliability, stability, and even colour, which just may be contributing to your  mystery endocrine or neurological symptoms. 

Plastic has become a dirty word in many circles and shockingly, most of the world’s seabed is covered in the material. Over 320 million tonnes of plastic are produced each year worldwide, and more than 40% is from single-use packaging.1 We are literally eating, drinking, and breathing microplastics every day, so we must consider it in many of our patient presentations. These microplastics make their way into the bloodstream, then into various cells throughout the body, including the placenta. So what does this mean for bub? 

The placenta finely regulates the foetal to maternal environment, providing nutrients while removing waste and toxins during what is arguably the most vulnerable period of human life. Plastic breaks down and releases chemicals used to give plastic its distinct characteristics. Bisphenol-A (BPA) is one chemical we’ve all heard of that is widely infused into our lives. Found in plastic food and drink containers, baby bottles and pacifiers, mobile phone covers, and even in our shopping receipts, BPA produces strong and resilient plastics.2 

What’s concerning is that we have known BPA has oestrogenic effects since the early 1930s. Recent studies have confirmed it to be a known endocrine disruptor, associated with reproductive disorders, breast cancer, obesity, neurological disorders, and cardiovascular disease.3

BPA has become part of product manufacturer’s’ marketing campaigns. We see plastics labelled as “BPA free” but the reality is, BPA is just one chemical, there are many others present in plastics, causing negative health impacts.

What are microplastics? 

  • Tiny plastic particles less than 5mm in size that easily move through the environment to be absorbed by all living organisms. Small enough to enter the blood stream.
  • Plastic breaks down to micro particles in the environment by ozone, waves, abrasion, ultraviolet radiation from the sun, mould and bacteria, and humidity in the atmosphere.      

How microplastics effect human health across the lifespan:1,3 

  • Endocrine disruption – cancer (breast, prostate, testes), cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders (obesity, diabetes), reproductive issues (genital malformations, infertility, early puberty, foetal damage)
  • Neurodevelopment (learning disorders, autism spectrum disorders)
  • Immune system activation (asthma, autoimmune disease)
  • Reduced foetal growth
  • Preeclampsia
  • DNA or chromosomal damage 
Plastic Type Chemicals of Concern What it looks like Health Impacts
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) – the chemical name for polyester (despite its name PET does not contain phthalates)  Flame retardants – more than 140 types, contains heavy metals (chlorinated and brominated organohalogen compounds that release hydrogen chloride and hydrogen bromide gases) and chemicals to prevent combustion and smoke formation in plastics.2
Dioxins – are a byproduct of chlorine and bromine flame retardants 
Used in food packaging and polyester fabrics, sleeping mats  Endocrine disruption, breast cancer, DNA and chromosome damage, immune stimulation, reproductive and developmental problems5 
High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)  Flame retardants
Dioxins 
Packing containers, pipes and other building materials  Endocrine disruption, breast cancer, DNA and chromosome damage 
Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)  Flame retardants
Dioxins 
Plastic wrap, bread bags, bubble wrap, rubbish and shopping bags, beverage cups  Endocrine disruption, breast cancer, DNA and chromosome damage
Polypropylene  Flame retardants
Dioxins  
Straws, bottle caps, hot food containers, disposable nappies, prescription bottles, packing tape Endocrine disruption, breast cancer, DNA and chromosome damage 
Polystyrene (Styrofoam)  Flame retardants
Dioxins 
Takeaway food and drink containers, plastic cutlery, product packaging, and building insulation Endocrine disruption, breast cancer, DNA and chromosome damage, thyroid disruption, antiandrogenic 
Polyurethane Siloxanes (silicones) – to improve scratch resistance in plastic products. Acts as a surfactant to improve plastic flow during production  Mattresses, building insulation, foam cushioning in furniture, car parts, sportswear, shoe soles, adhesives and coatings, breast implants  Ovarian atrophy and vaginal cell differentiation, immunosuppression, renal lesions, cancer, endocrine disruption (animal studies)6 
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC or vinyl) Phthalates – used to soften plastic to make it pliable. Not chemically bonded to the plastic means phthalates easily leech out into the air, food or liquid. Can cross the placenta.
Plastic Colourants – cadmium and lead are used in the colours yellow to red. Cobalt used for blue. Titanium for white.
Flame retardants
Dioxins  
Plumbing pipes, credit cards, toys, teething rings and baby bottle teats, IV fluid bags, medical tubing and oxygen masks, inflatable pool toys and paddling pools, garden hosing, vinyl flooring, stickers, plastic wrap, and personal care products (soaps, shampoos, hair sprays, fragrances, deodorants, creams and lotions, cosmetics – stabilises products and helps with spreadability and absorption) Endocrine disruption and carcinogen. Reprotoxic category 2 (may impair fertility or harm to the foetus) 
Polycarbonate Bisphenol A (BPA) – commonly added to polycarbonate plastics for strength and stability to endure exposure to high temperatures and impacts.
Phthalates  
Eyeglasses, drink bottles (including baby bottles), electronic devices, mobile phone covers and screen protectors, light fittings, building supplies. BPA is also used in the lining of aluminium and metal cans and lid closures of glass jars and bottles Endocrine disruption and carcinogen, cardiovascular disease, obesity, reproductive disorders, and neurodevelopmental disorders
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) – the chemical name for polyester (despite its name PET does not contain phthalates)  Flame retardants – more than 140 types, contains heavy metals (chlorinated and brominated organohalogen compounds that release hydrogen chloride and hydrogen bromide gases) and chemicals to prevent combustion and smoke formation in plastics.2
Dioxins – are a byproduct of chlorine and bromine flame retardants 
Used in food packaging and polyester fabrics, sleeping mats  Endocrine disruption, breast cancer, DNA and chromosome damage, immune stimulation, reproductive and developmental problems5
High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)  Flame retardants
Dioxins 
Packing containers, pipes and other building materials  Endocrine disruption, breast cancer, DNA and chromosome damage 
Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)  Flame retardants
Dioxins 
Plastic wrap, bread bags, bubble wrap, rubbish and shopping bags, beverage cups  Endocrine disruption, breast cancer, DNA and chromosome damage
Polypropylene  Flame retardants
Dioxins  
Straws, bottle caps, hot food containers, disposable nappies, prescription bottles, packing tape Endocrine disruption, breast cancer, DNA and chromosome damage 
Polystyrene (Styrofoam)  Flame retardants
Dioxins 
Takeaway food and drink containers, plastic cutlery, product packaging, and building insulation Endocrine disruption, breast cancer, DNA and chromosome damage, thyroid disruption, antiandrogenic 
Polyurethane Siloxanes (silicones) – to improve scratch resistance in plastic products. Acts as a surfactant to improve plastic flow during production  Mattresses, building insulation, foam cushioning in furniture, car parts, sportswear, shoe soles, adhesives and coatings, breast implants  Ovarian atrophy and vaginal cell differentiation, immunosuppression, renal lesions, cancer, endocrine disruption (animal studies)6
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC or vinyl) Phthalates – used to soften plastic to make it pliable. Not chemically bonded to the plastic means phthalates easily leech out into the air, food or liquid. Can cross the placenta.
Plastic Colourants – cadmium and lead are used in the colours yellow to red. Cobalt used for blue. Titanium for white.
Flame retardants
Dioxins  
Plumbing pipes, credit cards, toys, teething rings and baby bottle teats, IV fluid bags, medical tubing and oxygen masks, inflatable pool toys and paddling pools, garden hosing, vinyl flooring, stickers, plastic wrap, and personal care products (soaps, shampoos, hair sprays, fragrances, deodorants, creams and lotions, cosmetics – stabilises products and helps with spreadability and absorption) Endocrine disruption and carcinogen. Reprotoxic category 2 (may impair fertility or harm to the foetus) 
Polycarbonate Bisphenol A (BPA) – commonly added to polycarbonate plastics for strength and stability to endure exposure to high temperatures and impacts.
Phthalates
Eyeglasses, drink bottles (including baby bottles), electronic devices, mobile phone covers and screen protectors, light fittings, building supplies. BPA is also used in the lining of aluminium and metal cans and lid closures of glass jars and bottles Endocrine disruption and carcinogen, cardiovascular disease, obesity, reproductive disorders, and neurodevelopmental disorders

Article courtesy of BioConcepts

References:

  1. Ragusa A, Svelato A, Santacroce C, et al. Plasticenta: First evidence of microplastics in human placenta. Environ Int. 2021;146:106274. doi:10.1016/j.envint.2020.106274
  2. Danish EPA. Exposure of Pregnant Consumers to Suspected Endocrine Disruptors.; 2012. https://www2.mst.dk/Udgiv/publications/2012/04/978-87-92903-02-0.pdf
  3. Campanale C, Massarelli C, Savino I, Locaputo V, Uricchio VF. A detailed review study on potential effects of microplastics and additives of concern on human health. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(4). doi:10.3390/ijerph17041212
  4. Plastic Oceans. Plastic: It’s not all the same. Published 2021. Accessed August 16, 2022. https://plasticoceans.org/7-types-of-plastic/
  5. World Health Organization. Dioxins and their effects on human health. Published 2016. Accessed August 18, 2022. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/d…
  6. Lassen C, Hansen CL, Mikkelsen SH, Maag J. Siloxanes – Consumption , Toxicity and Alternatives. DANISH Minist Environ Environ Proj No 1031 2005 Miljøprojekt. 2005;(1031):1-111.