For the first time ever, scientists have found microplastics in the ovaries of women. These tiny pieces of plastic were discovered in the follicular fluid of 14 out of 18 women who were being treated at a fertility clinic in Salerno, Italy. This fluid is very important because it helps eggs grow and develop.
The researchers say that the plastic could harm how eggs grow and may even affect a woman’s hormones and ability to have babies. They shared their findings in a science journal called Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety.
“This discovery should serve as an important warning signal about the invasiveness of these emerging contaminants in the female reproductive system,” the study says.
What are microplastics?
Microplastics are tiny bits of plastic that come from broken-down plastic items like bags, bottles, and clothing. They are so small that people can’t see them without a microscope. These plastics have been found everywhere, from the top of Mount Everest to the bottom of the deepest oceans.
Experts believe that food is one of the main ways microplastics enter our bodies. A few studies found plastic in all kinds of food, including fruits, vegetables, and meat.
Microplastics can also carry harmful chemicals. Some of these are known to cause problems like cancer, brain damage, and hormone issues.
What did the study say?
The lead author of the study, Luigi Montano from the University of Rome, said the results are “very alarming.” The researchers believe this is an important step in understanding how plastic pollution may affect women’s health, especially their reproductive systems.
Microplastics have already been found in other parts of the human body, like the brain and placenta. Now that they’ve been found in ovaries, scientists are more concerned than ever about how deeply plastic pollution affects us.
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