Quick Facts
A peer-reviewed study in eBioMedicine found that microplastics were present in the chorionic villi of all 31 early-pregnancy samples analysed, with significantly higher concentrations in cases of unexplained spontaneous miscarriage.
The dominant polymers detected included polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS) and polypropylene (PP), with PVC showing the strongest association with miscarriage when adjusted for maternal age.
Statistical analysis revealed a positive correlation between maternal age and total microplastic load (r ≈ 0.59, p < 0.01), suggesting older mothers had greater accumulation of microplastics in placental tissues.
Consumption patterns such as frequent bottled-water use and high seafood intake were linked to elevated levels of PE and PS in the villous tissues, indicating lifestyle may influence exposure risk.
Although the study establishes an association between microplastic presence and early miscarriage, it does not prove causality and the underlying biological mechanisms remain incompletely understood.
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🔺 Emerging evidence of microplastics in placental tissue heightens concern over environmental-pollutant impacts on reproductive health.
🔻 Without definitive causal linkage, translating these findings into regulatory or clinical action remains challenging.