UTEP researchers found that nanoplastics and PFAS chemicals significantly alter proteins essential for human development, like those in breast milk and myoglobin, potentially leading to developmental defects and other health issues. These findings underscore the urgent need for safer material alternatives and inform future environmental policies.
Nanoplastics and forever chemicals are manmade compounds present throughout the environment; a series of recent studies have linked them to numerous negative health outcomes. While nanoplastics originate primarily as a result of the degradation of larger plastic materials, like water bottles and food packaging, forever chemicals are found in various products like cookware and clothing.
Narayan said that, most importantly, their research revealed that nanoplastics and PFAS completely “dissolved” a region of proteins known as the alpha helix, converting them into structures called beta sheets. Additionally, for the first time ever, the team observed that PFAS binds to the milk protein, turning it into a carrier for these compounds.
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