Microplastics in water aren’t inert and make damaging chemicals on their own
Its effect on people remains an ongoing question.
Microplastics in water are not entirely inert, according to a new study from Columbia University. These tiny plastic particles, which have been found in drinking water and other biological samples, can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) when they break down. ROS are harmful molecules that can react with proteins, lipids, and DNA, potentially causing damage.
Wei Min, a chemist at Columbia University and leader of the study, explained that ROS can break DNA strands, mutate DNA, and misfold proteins. While the long-term health effects of microplastics are still being researched, this study suggests that these particles may not be as chemically inert as previously thought.
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