New Evidence That Microplastics Can Cross Placental Barrier And Alter Hormone Production

Researchers at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam used a three-layer human placenta cell model to test micro- and nanoplastics.

Most polymers crossed the placental barrier within 72 hours, and some changed steroid hormone production in the hormone-making cell layer.

Polyamide was the only material not detected in measurable amounts on the far side of the model.

The findings suggest pregnancy exposure to microplastics could affect fetal development and hormone regulation, but the work was done only in a lab model.