Microplastics, which are tiny pieces of plastic, have been linked to many human health problems. Laboratory experiments now suggest a possible explanation for how they may harm the body: the particles can react with water inside us and produce highly reactive molecules.
These molecules can cause oxidative stress, a process that can damage the body. They can also lead to inflammation, the body's response to harm. The experiments therefore point to a possible connection between the plastic's reaction with water and the health problems associated with microplastics. The proposed explanation concerns not just the tiny plastic pieces, but also the reactive molecules they may produce.
