A preclinical study has found that polylactic acid (PLA), a widely used "eco-friendly" bioplastic, releases nanoplastics during biodegradation that can harm fetal development in mice. The research demonstrates that these microscopic particles can cross the placental barrier and accumulate in developing fetuses.
The study examined pregnant mice exposed to degrading PLA and found that the resulting nanoplastics damaged placental vascular development and interfered with normal fetal growth patterns. The nanoplastics showed an ability to penetrate biological barriers that protect developing embryos.