{
  "id": 14790352,
  "title": "Microplastics in water aren’t inert and make damaging chemicals on their own",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/microplastics-in-water-arent-inert-and-make-damaging-chemicals-on-14790352",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-10-15T18:39:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Ars Technica Science",
    "slug": "ars-technica-science",
    "url": "https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/10/microplastics-in-water-arent-inert-and-make-damaging-chemicals-on-their-own/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "Its effect on people remains an ongoing question.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Ars Technica",
        "title": "Microplastics in water aren’t inert and make damaging chemicals on their own",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/microplastics-in-water-arent-inert-and-make-damaging-chemicals-on",
        "published": "2026-10-15T18:39:17.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}