Recent research has shown that toxic chemicals used in flame-proofing plastics can be absorbed into the human body through skin contact with microplastics. This absorption occurs as these chemicals leach into human sweat and then cross the skin barrier into the bloodstream. The study, which involved innovative 3D human skin models, revealed that hydrated skin could absorb significant levels of these chemicals.
The study offers the first experimental evidence that chemicals present as additives in microplastics can leach into human sweat, and then be absorbed through the skin, into the bloodstream. While the harm caused by microplastics is not fully understood, there is increasing concern over their role as conduits of human exposure to toxic chemicals.The research team demonstrated in a study published last year, that chemicals were leached from microplastics into human sweat. The current study now shows that those chemicals can also be absorbed from sweat across the skin barrier into the body.
Dr Mohamed Abdallah, Associate Professor of Environmental Sciences at the University of Birmingham, and principal investigator for the project, said: “These findings provide important evidence for regulators and policymakers to improve legislation around microplastics and safeguard public health against harmful exposure.”