Toxic Chemicals from Microplastics Can Be Absorbed Through the Skin

Recent study results show that the chemicals in microplastics can be absorbed into the body through the skin.

KOMPAS/AMBROSIUS HARTO MANUMOYOSO

A screen connected to a microscope shows the presence of microplastic particles from Kalimas water samples contaminated with rubbish.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The results of a recent study show that toxic chemicals used in fire-resistant plastic materials can be absorbed into the body through the skin. This study also provides the first experimental evidence that chemicals contained in microplastics can leach into human sweat.

Many chemicals used in making plastic have been banned due to their proven harmful effects, such as liver or nervous system damage, cancer, and reproductive health risks. However, these chemicals are still commonly used in electronics, furniture, carpets, and old building materials.

This concern prompted researchers from the University of Birmingham, UK, to conduct a study and experiment on the potential exposure of toxic chemicals from microplastics through the skin. The results of this study have been published in Environment International, April 2024.

The researcher from Brunel University involved in this study, Ovokeroye Abafe, stated that microplastics are widely scattered in the environment. However, many parties are not aware of the health problems that can be caused by these microplastics.

"Our research shows that microplastics act as carriers of harmful chemicals that can enter our bloodstream and are persistent. High levels of exposure can gradually lead to accumulation and begin to pose a danger," he said, as quoted from the official website of the University of Birmingham on Wednesday (24/4/2024).

KOMPAS/BAHANA PATRIA GUPTA

Visitors observe microplastics in the river water at the Ecoton booth during the ArtXhibition at Ciputra World, Surabaya, East Java, on Friday (5/5/2023). At the booth, visitors gain knowledge about the dangers of plastic in everyday life.

In this experiment, the research team utilized an innovative three-dimensional (3D) human skin model as an alternative to laboratory animals and human tissue.

Our study shows that microplastics act as carriers of harmful chemicals that can enter our bloodstream and are persistent in nature.

For 24 hours, the human skin models were exposed to two forms of microplastic containing polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). PBDEs are included in persistent organic pollutants (POPs) whose presence can harm humans and the environment because they do not easily decompose naturally.

Also read: Bottled Water Can Contain Hundreds of Thousands of Nanoplastics

So far, PBDEs are commonly used as flame retardants. One of the classes of chemicals called xenobiotics is also often applied to various products, such as electronics, textiles, building materials, plastics, polyurethane foam, aircraft and motor vehicles.

The results of experiments show that as much as 8 percent of exposed chemical substances can be absorbed by the skin. In addition, researchers have also found that a hydrated body or sweaty skin will absorb chemicals in higher amounts.

Absorption from skin

This study also provides the first experimental evidence regarding the contribution of skin absorption to the level of toxic chemicals found in the body.

KOMPAS/JUMARTO YULIANUS

The Nusantara River Expedition Team displayed microplastics in the water of the Martapura River through a microscope in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, on Thursday (1/9/2022). From the results of the examination, the water of the Martapura River in the Bekantan Mascot Park is contaminated with microplastics.

Associate Professor of Environmental Science at the University of Birmingham and lead researcher of this study, Mohamed Abdallah, stated that these findings provide important evidence for regulators and policymakers to establish regulations related to microplastics. This is crucial in efforts to protect public health from the dangers of microplastic exposure.

Also read: Microplastics Found in Human Heart Tissue

Professor Stuart Harrad, one of the authors of the study, stated that this study provides an important step forward in understanding the risks of human exposure to microplastics. Therefore, more research is needed to understand the various sources of exposure to microplastics and to mitigate the risks of such exposure.

In future studies, the research team plans to observe other routes of exposure that may cause toxic chemicals in microplastics to enter the body. This includes examining the potential absorption of microplastics through the nose and mouth.