Microplastics Pose Threat to Body's Cellular Powerhouse Mitochondria [Study]

Microplastics are everywhere and they have already made their way into our systems. Researchers warned that they have a negative impact on our cell's powerhouses -- the mitochondria.

Microplastics Have Negative Impact On Mitochondria

Microplastics are any polymers with a length of less than 5 millimeters (0.2 inches). They can be found in cosmetics and industrial garbage, but they can also arise when bigger plastic waste particles break down. Since these particles are so small, they can enter our bloodstream through our lungs and intestines and then proceed through our bodies to crucial organs like the heart and brain.

Concerns over the particles' potential effects on human health have been raised by the discovery of micro- and nanoplastics in human brain and lung tissues, blood samples, and even the placenta. A recent study, "Mitochondria as a Target of Micro- and Nanoplastic Toxicity," established a direct connection between microplastics and their detrimental effects on mitochondria.

Mitochondria plays a significant role in cellular energy production. In addition, it is involved in the mediation of cell proliferation, cell death, and cellular signaling. Thus, they shield us from the onset of illnesses like cancer. However, mitochondria are incredibly delicate and prone to harm, even from micro- and nanoplastics.

"Given the critical role of mitochondria in cellular and organismal health, micro- and nano-plastics pose a significant threat to mitochondrial health and function," according to the researchers.

Malfunctional mitochondria have been linked to numerous significant health disorders, including cardiovascular disease and neurological diseases like Alzheimer's.

The majority of research points to the accumulation of hazardous byproducts from the energy-production process as the origin of the damage these particles inflict on the mitochondria. Additionally, plastics can physically interact with the mitochondria, resulting in structural damage and functional impairment that can set off a series of biological reactions ranging from inflammation to cell death. Micro- and nanoplastics may also interfere with our cells' ability to produce mitochondria, which could lead to a reduction in the quantity of these structures and worsen overall cellular health and function.

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How to Reduce Microplastics in Tap Water?

Another study found a strategy to remove most of the microplastics in drinking water. Boiling hard tap water is reportedly effective in reducing microplastics present in the liquid. 

The white deposit that floats on top of your tea and coffee is called limescale or calcium carbonate. Hard water has a high mineral content and, when heated, produces small amounts of this substance. When the water boils, the white scum encases the plastic particles and keeps them apart from the liquid.

A simple filter, like a coffee filter, can be used to remove the residual liquid from the encapsulating polymers and the floating limescale. Using this method removed up to 90% of the free-floating micro- and nanoplastics in the water.

Although the effects were more pronounced in hard water, this method removed about 25% of the nano- and microplastics detected in soft water samples.

"This simple boiling-water strategy can 'decontaminate' nano- and microplastics from household tap water and has the potential for harmlessly alleviating human intake of nano- and microplastics through water consumption," the authors wrote.

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Check out more news and information on Microplastics in Science Times.