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Infants have 15 times more microplastics in their bodies than adults, new pilot study finds

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Infants have 15 times more microplastics in their bodies than adults, a new study has found. Microplastics are less than 5mm in size and are often released into the environment and people’s homes from having broken off from a larger body of plastic objects or materials.

Researchers used mass spectrometry to measure the concentrations of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and PC (polycarbonate) in faeces samples from six infants and 10 adults, as well as three samples of newborn babies’ first stools in the study by the New York University School of Medicine.

They found at least one type of microplastic in each sample, with babies having more than 10 times as many microplastics as adults, according to Euro News. Researchers believe that higher levels of PET in babies could be the result of babies’ exposure to products like dummies, and crawling on carpets that contain the chemicals.

Lead author Professor Kurunthachalam Kannan said that children’s products should be made from safe materials other than plastic to reduce children’s exposure to microplastics. He also said: “Although average levels of faecal PC microplastics were similar between adults and infants, infant stool contained, on average, more than 10 times higher PET concentrations than that of adults.

ARTICLE: PAUL MURDOCH

MANAGING EDITOR: CARSON CHOATE

PHOTO CREDITS: YOUTUBE

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Paul Murdoch

Paul, 37, is from Scotland in the UK, but currently lives and works in Bangkok. Paul has worked in different industries such as telemarketing, retail, hospitality, farming, insurance, and teaching, where he works now. He teaches at an all-girls High School in Bangkok. “It’s a lot of work, but I love my job.” Paul has an active interest in politics. His reason for writing for FBA is to offer people the facts and allow them to make up their own minds. Whilst he believes opinion columns have their place, it is also important that people can have accurate news with no bias.

Paul, 37, is from Scotland in the UK, but currently lives and works in Bangkok. Paul has worked in different industries such as telemarketing, retail, hospitality, farming, insurance, and teaching, where he works now. He teaches at an all-girls High School in Bangkok. “It’s a lot of work, but I love my job.” Paul has an active interest in politics. His reason for writing for FBA is to offer people the facts and allow them to make up their own minds. Whilst he believes opinion columns have their place, it is also important that people can have accurate news with no bias.

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