A new first-of-its-kind study at the University of Birmingham in the UK shows that chemical additives in microplastics can leach into the body through sweat.
Ubiquitous Chemicals, Limited Regulation
The CDC states that the health effects that low levels of PBDEs have on humans aren’t well known. Some animal studies have shown the chemicals can harm the thyroid and liver and affect brain development, as well as cause liver tumors in rats that consumed a large amount of related substances throughout their lifetimes. Human studies have shown that exposure in children can affect cognitive development, impair motor skills, increase impulsivity, and decrease attention span. While PBDEs have yet to be classified as carcinogens by the Environmental Protection Agency, there is enough evidence to indicate they have the potential to be carcinogenic.“These chemicals are persistent, so with continuous or regular exposure to them, there will be a gradual accumulation to the point where they start to cause harm,” Mr. Abafe said in the statement.
The research team hopes its findings will encourage policymakers and regulators to take more stringent steps toward protecting the public against such chemicals and microplastics. In 2022, California became the first state to establish a strategy for testing microplastics in public drinking water, and the monitoring system was set to go into effect in the fall of 2023.
The researchers plan to continue their studies by investigating how microplastics could introduce harmful chemicals into the human body through inhalation and ingestion.
“Building on our results, more research is required to fully understand the different pathways of human exposure to microplastics and how to mitigate the risk from such exposure,” professor Stuart Harrad, one of the study authors, said in the statement.
