Breaking the Skin Barrier: Scientists Discover New Health Risks of Microplastics
Recent research has shown that toxic chemicals used in flame-proofing plastics can be absorbed into the human body through skin contact with microplastics. This absorption occurs as these chemicals leach into human sweat and then cross the skin barrier into the bloodstream. The study, which involved innovative 3D human skin models, revealed that hydrated skin could absorb significant levels of these chemicals. These findings have significant implications for public health and the regulation of microplastics, as they highlight the pervasive nature of microplastics and their role as carriers of toxic substances.New research indicates that toxic chemicals added to plastic materials for flame resistance can enter the body through the skin by contact with microplastics.The study offers the first experimental evidence that chemicals present as additives in microplastics can leach into human sweat, and then be absorbed through the skin, into the bloodstream.Many chemicals used as flame retardants and plasticizers have already been banned, due to evidence of adverse health effects including damage to the liver or nervous system, cancer, and risks to reproductive health. However, these chemicals are still present in the environment in older electronics, furniture, carpets, and building materials. While the harm caused by microplastics is not fully understood, there is increasing concern over their role as conduits of human exposure to toxic chemicals.Research Findings on Chemical AbsorptionThe research team demonstrated in a study published last year, that chemicals were leached from microplastics into human sweat. The current study now shows that those chemicals can also be absorbed from sweat across the skin barrier into the body.In their experiments, the team used innovative 3D human skin models as alternatives to laboratory animals and excised human tissues. The models were exposed over a 24-hour period to two common forms of microplastics containing polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), a chemical group commonly used to flame retard plastics.Results and Implications for HealthThe results, published in Environment International, showed that as much as 8% of the chemical exposed could be taken up by the skin, with more hydrated — or ‘sweatier’ — skin absorbing higher levels of chemical. The study provides the first experimental evidence into how this process contributes to levels of toxic chemicals found in the body.Dr Ovokeroye Abafe, now at Brunel University, carried out the research while at the University of Birmingham. He said: “Microplastics are everywhere in the environment and yet we still know relatively little about the health problems that they can cause. Our research shows that they play a role as ‘carriers’ of harmful chemicals, which can get into our bloodstream through the skin. 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.”Dr Mohamed Abdallah, Associate Professor of Environmental Sciences at the University of Birmingham, and principal investigator for the project, said: “These findings provide important evidence for regulators and policymakers to improve legislation around microplastics and safeguard public health against harmful exposure.”Professor Stuart Harrad, co-author of the paper, added “The study provides an important step forward in understanding the risks of exposure to microplastics on our health. 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.”In future research, the team plans to investigate other routes through which microplastics could be responsible for toxic chemicals entering the body, including inhalation and ingestion. The work is funded by a Marie Curie Research Fellowship, within the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme.Reference: “Assessment of human dermal absorption of flame retardant additives in polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics using 3D human skin equivalent models” by Ovokeroye Akpojevwe Abafe, Stuart Harrad and Mohamed Abou-Elwafa Abdallah, 5 April 2024, Environment International.DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108635
New research indicates that toxic chemicals added to plastic materials for flame resistance can enter the body through the skin by contact with microplastics. The...
Recent research has shown that toxic chemicals used in flame-proofing plastics can be absorbed into the human body through skin contact with microplastics. This absorption occurs as these chemicals leach into human sweat and then cross the skin barrier into the bloodstream. The study, which involved innovative 3D human skin models, revealed that hydrated skin could absorb significant levels of these chemicals. These findings have significant implications for public health and the regulation of microplastics, as they highlight the pervasive nature of microplastics and their role as carriers of toxic substances.
New research indicates that toxic chemicals added to plastic materials for flame resistance can enter the body through the skin by contact with microplastics.
The study offers the first experimental evidence that chemicals present as additives in microplastics can leach into human sweat, and then be absorbed through the skin, into the bloodstream.
Many chemicals used as flame retardants and plasticizers have already been banned, due to evidence of adverse health effects including damage to the liver or nervous system, cancer, and risks to reproductive health. However, these chemicals are still present in the environment in older electronics, furniture, carpets, and building materials.
While the harm caused by microplastics is not fully understood, there is increasing concern over their role as conduits of human exposure to toxic chemicals.
Research Findings on Chemical Absorption
The research team demonstrated in a study published last year, that chemicals were leached from microplastics into human sweat. The current study now shows that those chemicals can also be absorbed from sweat across the skin barrier into the body.
In their experiments, the team used innovative 3D human skin models as alternatives to laboratory animals and excised human tissues. The models were exposed over a 24-hour period to two common forms of microplastics containing polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), a chemical group commonly used to flame retard plastics.
Results and Implications for Health
The results, published in Environment International, showed that as much as 8% of the chemical exposed could be taken up by the skin, with more hydrated — or ‘sweatier’ — skin absorbing higher levels of chemical. The study provides the first experimental evidence into how this process contributes to levels of toxic chemicals found in the body.
Dr Ovokeroye Abafe, now at Brunel University, carried out the research while at the University of Birmingham. He said: “Microplastics are everywhere in the environment and yet we still know relatively little about the health problems that they can cause. Our research shows that they play a role as ‘carriers’ of harmful chemicals, which can get into our bloodstream through the skin. 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.”
Dr Mohamed Abdallah, Associate Professor of Environmental Sciences at the University of Birmingham, and principal investigator for the project, said: “These findings provide important evidence for regulators and policymakers to improve legislation around microplastics and safeguard public health against harmful exposure.”
Professor Stuart Harrad, co-author of the paper, added “The study provides an important step forward in understanding the risks of exposure to microplastics on our health. 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.”
In future research, the team plans to investigate other routes through which microplastics could be responsible for toxic chemicals entering the body, including inhalation and ingestion. The work is funded by a Marie Curie Research Fellowship, within the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme.
Reference: “Assessment of human dermal absorption of flame retardant additives in polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics using 3D human skin equivalent models” by Ovokeroye Akpojevwe Abafe, Stuart Harrad and Mohamed Abou-Elwafa Abdallah, 5 April 2024, Environment International.
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108635