A new research project, led by Empa researcher Tina Bürki, is investigating the potential impact of nanoplastic particles on the immune system of unborn children. The study focuses on how these tiny plastic particles, which enter the body of pregnant women via air, food, and water, could contribute to the development of allergies and asthma in children. Supported by the Eduard Aeberhardt Foundation, the project brings together experts from materials science, allergy research, and clinical medicine to explore how nanoplastics may disrupt the immune system during pregnancy.
Allergic diseases such as asthma, hay fever, and chronic skin conditions are becoming increasingly common. These illnesses often arise in early childhood, and environmental factors during pregnancy may play a significant role in their development. Researchers are particularly concerned with how exposure to micro- and nanoplastics could affect the immune system of both the mother and her unborn child. These particles, which are already known to enter the body of pregnant women, could not only cause direct immune system disruptions but also carry other harmful pollutants, allergens, and pathogens into the developing fetus.
The collaboration between Empa, ETH Zurich, EPFL, the University of Zurich, and the Cantonal Hospital of St. Gallen aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how nanoplastics may affect immune system development in the womb. The team is specifically studying the role of the placenta, a critical organ that forms during pregnancy and acts as the primary interface between mother and child, supplying nutrients and hormones necessary for healthy development. Researchers hypothesize that the placenta could be a key player in mediating immune responses to foreign substances such as plastic particles.
The team’s research will focus on the effects of micro- and nanoplastics on the immune function of the placenta and the developing fetal immune system. While it is already known that nanoparticles can disrupt communication between the placenta and the fetus, the exact immunological effects are not well understood. According to Bürki, this research is crucial for correctly assessing the risks posed by environmental pollutants, particularly to pregnant women.
As part of the project, the team will analyze micro- and nano-abrasion from everyday plastic products and their interactions with typical allergens and pollutants. Using human placenta cell cultures and fetal blood cells, the researchers aim to map how these particles and pollutant-particle combinations interact in the body. The study will help determine whether exposure to contaminated plastics could release hormones or other mediators that contribute to abnormal immune system development in the fetus.
The findings from this study could have significant implications for understanding how plastic exposure affects child development and may guide future recommendations for safer plastic use. Bürki emphasizes the importance of identifying which types of polymers are more likely to trigger allergic reactions and disrupt the immune system, highlighting the need for safer, sustainable plastic products.
You Might Be Interested In:
-
Study Investigates How Diet Affects Gene Expression in Fat Tissue
-
Contraceptive Pill Linked to Lower Ovarian Cancer Risk, New Study Finds
-
High Cholesterol Diets Increase Heart Attack Risk in U.S. Veterans, Study Warns
