Microplastics in water generate damaging chemicals
New research indicates microplastics found in drinking water may not be inert and can produce harmful reactive oxygen species that could damage human cells.
Scientists at Columbia University have discovered that microplastics, which can enter drinking water and circulate within the human body, may not be chemically inert as previously assumed. A new study published in Nature by a team led by Wei Min demonstrated that microplastics can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) upon degradation.
ROS are known for their potential to damage biological molecules such as proteins, lipids, and DNA. They can cause DNA strand breaks, mutations, and protein misfolding. These findings raise concerns about the potential health impacts of microplastics on humans.
The research utilized microdroplet chemistry techniques, which study the behavior of tiny water droplets at their air interface. Such droplets have previously been reported to produce ROS. While the direct link between microplastics and human diseases is still under investigation, this study provides new insights into their potential harmful mechanisms.
The study's results highlight the need for further research into the long-term health effects of microplastics and their presence in food and the environment. Wei Min stated, "ROS will essentially bump into proteins, lipids, DNA, and cause damage."