September 11 @ 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm EDT
Since their invention in the 1950s, plastics have woven themselves into every corner of the globe. This study delves into the far-reaching effects of micro- and nanoplastics (MNP) pollution on both communities and ecosystems. Early results reveal that these minuscule particles can enter the brain and build up inside. El Hayek and her team used electron microscopes to uncover long and needle-like plastic shards and a surprising mix of materials embedded in the tiniest fragments. These discoveries spark new worries about brain contamination and hidden health threats.
To better understand these risks, El Hayek laboratory is pushing the boundaries of microscopy and spectroscopy, aiming to reveal how real-world nanoplastics accumulate in living tissue and what harm they might cause. For precise measurement, they use artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) spiked with known polymers as a low-fat test bed, while fatty lamb tissue serves as a high-fat matrix to assess how well their methods separate and recover plastics from complex samples.
Plastic waste is not limited to fragments; it also exists as microscopic and nanoscale polyester fibers that can infiltrate the lungs and trigger allergic reactions. To investigate polyester toxic effects, the team used a mouse model of house dust mite (HDM)-induced asthma. They discovered that some polyester baby clothes shed barely visible fibers. When these fibers were introduced alongside HDM in mice, they dramatically altered allergic responses, particularly by reducing eosinophil levels in the lungs.
The results suggest that these tiny fibers may affect allergic responses, posing a particular risk to young children.”
