https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/937291

 

 News Release 8-Dec-2021
Microplastics found to be harmful to human cells, new study shows
Peer-Reviewed Publication

University of York

 

High levels of ingested microplastics in the human body have the potential to have harmful effects, a new study reveals.

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“What we have found is that in toxicology tests, we are seeing reactions including cell death and allergic reactions as potential effects of ingesting or inhaling high levels of microplastics.”

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“Our analysis of the data showed that cell viability depends on the shape of the microplastics. Irregularly shaped microplastics, which are the majority found in the environment, are more hazardous than spherical.

 

 “So far, most toxicology studies have been testing spherical microplastics. There needs to be a shift to testing irregularly shaped ones.”

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