हिंदी
Tiny to the point of being nearly invisible, nanoplastics pose a significant health threat as they infiltrate our bodies through food consumption or inhalation. Recent research has revealed alarming findings, indicating that a one-liter water bottle contains over two hundred thousand nanoplastic fragments capable of entering the bloodstream. These minuscule particles, derived from the breakdown of larger microplastics, can easily access various organs, the brain, and even the placenta of unborn babies.
Once inside the human body, nanoplastics exert adverse effects on health in several ways:
1. Nanoplastics penetrate the gut epithelium, interacting with molecules like proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, ions, and water. This interaction leads to the formation of a protein corona around the nanoplastic, facilitating its dissemination throughout the body.
2. In the gut, nanoplastics induce liver inflammation and diminish hepatic energy levels.
3. Alterations in gut microbiota and changes in the intestinal barrier occur in the presence of nanoplastics, resulting in reduced mucus secretion.
4. Inhaled nanoplastics breach the lung barrier, entering the bloodstream and causing damage to lung epithelium cells, potentially contributing to the development of chronic lung diseases like COPD.
5. Nanoplastics can cross the placental barrier, impacting fetal growth and development during pregnancy.
