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Everyday use of plastic products generates tiny, nearly invisible plastic particles that may affect human health when ingested or inhaled. To address this, researchers developed biodegradable plastics using plant-based starch instead of petroleum. But these may not be as safe or beneficial to health as initially believed. Prolonged exposure to starch-based microplastics indicates broad health impacts.
Plant-based plastics, often promoted as a greener alternative to petroleum-based plastics are derived from starches, such as those sourced from corn, rice, wheat, or potatoes. They are produced using plant-based materials rather than fossil fuel components. New research indicates that animals exposed to particles from these plant-based plastics experienced health issues, including liver damage and disruptions to their gut microbiome.
The experiment involved three groups of mice. The first group received regular feed, while the other two were given diets mixed with either low or high amounts of starch-based microplastics, adjusted to reflect average human daily intake. Over three months, scientists examined the mice’s organs, metabolic activities, and gut microbial diversity.
Mice subjected to the starch-based bioplastics showed liver and ovarian irregularities, metabolic disturbances, and gut microbiome disruptions similar to effects seen with petroleum-derived plastics.
The findings revealed that long-term exposure to starch-based microplastics triggers a wide range of health effects, notably disrupting circadian rhythms and impairing glucose and lipid metabolism. As one of the initial studies exploring the consequences of ingesting starch-based microplastics, further investigation is required to clarify how these biodegradable particles degrade within the body.
To view the original scientific study click below:
Long-Term Exposure to Environmentally Realistic Doses of Starch-Based Microplastics Suggests Widespread Health Effects
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