Columbia and UC Berkeley Study Finds Microplastics React With Water to Form Reactive Radicals

A study published in Nature by researchers from Columbia University and UC Berkeley revealed that water can chemically activate microplastics, posing potential biological risks. As plastic particles degrade, their surface area expands, leading to the formation of high-energy reactive radicals that may inflict harm on both animals and humans. Hydroxyl radicals can compromise cell membranes by removing electrons from proteins and fats. Postdoctoral researcher Naixin Qian emphasized that these molecules can harm tissues. The research team analyzed blood samples and discovered that red blood cells from mice exposed to microplastics became distorted and burst, especially with more reactive types of plastics. These results challenge the notion that plastic remains chemically inert at the microscopic level.