Plastic made from starch could potentially pose health risks, as indicated by mouse study findings.
Research reveals potential harm in biodegradable starch-based bioplastics, despite marketing claims of safety. A recent study, published in a scientific journal, found that mice exposed to these bioplastics developed health issues similar to those seen in animals exposed to common, petroleum-based plastics.
The experiment involved feeding mice food contaminated with bioplastics. Upon autopsy, those exposed to the bioplastics, regardless of the dose, showed tissue damage and disruptions in genetics and metabolism, comparable to those seen in animals exposed to conventional plastics. Organs such as the liver and ovaries were affected.
These findings could have significant implications, considering the increasing use of bioplastics in everyday products. It is crucial to note that the study was based on modified starch used in bioplastics, which has known biodegradability issues. Pure starch found in food items like potato chips, however, is digestible.
Despite the results, researchers have questioned the usefulness of these findings, arguing that the modified starches used in the study may not accurately represent the safety profile of bioplastics in their intended application. The challenge remains to develop bioplastics that maintain their functionality as plastics but are harmless to ingest.
Previously, research has linked micro- and nanoplastics with diseases in humans, particularly in the brain upon autopsy. Long-term exposure to environmentally relevant levels of bioplastics, particularly in food, is associated with organ damage, metabolic disruptions, and imbalances in the gut microbiome[1][2][3][4]. As more research is needed to understand the long-term health effects of these materials, the findings from this recent study add to growing concerns about the safety of bioplastics.
The experiment's findings suggest that bioplastics, despite their portrayal as safe, may pose health risks akin to conventional plastics, as evidenced by tissue damage, genetic disruptions, and organ impact on mice, particularly the liver and ovaries. Moreover, increasing use of bioplastics in everyday items raises questions about their long-term impacts on health and wellness, especially in regards to nutrition and medical conditions, as prior research has connected micro- and nanoplastics to diseases in humans and detrimental effects on the gut microbiome.
Further scientific exploration is required to develop bioplastics that offer both functionality and safety, reducing concerns about environmental-science implications and promoting health-and-wellness benefits for consumers.
