Cyborg Babies: A Bane to Human Beings

Abstract

Microplastics are particles smaller than 5 mm that form as plastic objects in the environment degradation. Microplastics may be transferred from the atmosphere to living animals, such as mammals. Six human placentas were obtained from consenting women with physiological pregnancies and examined using Raman microspectroscopy to see whether microplastics were present. In total, 12 spherical or irregularly shaped microplastic fragments (ranging in size from 5 to 10 mm) were found in four placentas (five on the fetal side, four on the maternal side, and three in the chorioamniotic membranes). The morphology and chemical composition of all microplastic particles were studied. All of them were pigmented; three of them were identified as stained polypropylene, a thermoplastic polymer, while the other nine could only be identified by their pigments. Many of them were used in coatings, oils, adhesives, plasters, finger paints, polymers, cosmetics, and personal care products.