https://phys.org/news/2025-10-nanoplastics-farm-animal-cells-human.html
Scientists at the Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN) in Dummerstorf and the University of Udine have detected the uptake of nanoplastics in farm animal cell cultures. The results provide evidence of potential risks to animal health, meat production and also human food safety.
Plastic bags, packaging, yogurt lids—items that are carelessly thrown away decompose over years into tiny plastic particles. They end up in soil, waterways and ultimately in our food chain. Although numerous studies have already shown that microplastics can harm marine animals, birds and insects, the effects of nanoplastics on livestock have hardly been researched to date.
Unlike microplastics (1 µm–5 mm), there are currently few adequate methods for detecting nanoplastics (< 1 µm) in humans and animals. However, researchers assume that these small particles can also accumulate in tissue.
In a joint study, researchers from the FBN and the University of Udine have demonstrated the uptake of nanoplastic particles made of polystyrene into cultured cells from cattle and pigs. This absorption led to changes that could impair the cell function and health of the animals in the long term.
"Since we still know far too little about nanoplastics and detection is difficult, our results are particularly important for better assessing the risks," explains Dr. Anja Baufeld from the Cell Physiology and Reproduction working group at the FBN. "When we saw that nanoplastics were entering the cells, we knew that this could have far-reaching consequences," Baufeld continues.
[...] "Our research shows that nanoplastics are not only an environmental problem, but could also have direct consequences for the health of farm animals. These initial findings highlight the importance of conducting more intensive research into plastic pollution in order to assess the potential risks to both animals and humans at an early stage," says Baufeld.
More information: Francesca Corte Pause et al, Exploring the influence of polystyrene-nanoplastics on two distinct in vitro systems in farm animals: A pilot study, Science of The Total Environment (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.179378
(Score: 1) by shrewdsheep on Friday October 17, @01:31PM (2 children)
Let's hope that nanoplastics are not too toxic. Or we are badly fscked.
(Score: 4, Interesting) by Username on Friday October 17, @01:47PM (1 child)
I doubt they are. I eat out of plastic Tupperware every day. No doubt I consume millions of plastic particles each time I scape the sides of the dish with my fork/spoon. I eat food sealed in plastic, probably left plastic particles all over the food when it was sealed. I probably eat at least one pound of plastic particles a year. If it was that dangerous I and others would be dead by now. Be interesting if they tested plastic levels during my annual physical.
(Score: 2) by acid andy on Saturday October 18, @07:11PM
Pro-tip: When that guy told you what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, he was bullshitting you.
"rancid randy has a dialogue with herself[...] Somebody help him!" -- Anonymous Coward.
(Score: 2, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Friday October 17, @02:59PM (1 child)
tfa mentions:
> Plastic bags, packaging, yogurt lids—items that are carelessly thrown away decompose over years into tiny plastic particles.
In recent years, researchers have also started to track what happens to the wear particles as car/truck tires wear out. Many are small enough to be airborne and travel quite a distance from the road.
Tire rubber is a witch's brew (dozens of different chemicals in the mixture) including some nasty stuff. Like other chemical & plastic companies, the tire companies are constantly changing ingredients, sometimes to improve some aspect of tire performance, but often responding to regulators that are banning the use of nasty chemicals.
(Score: 2) by c0lo on Friday October 17, @11:26PM
The thing with nanotires: they get a significant chance to be exposed to UV and oxygen and degrade before they get to be a part of you. Not sure if sun cured nanotires are better for your health, but i reckon their halflife in nature is shorter than, say, nano-LEGO's.
https://www.youtube.com/@ProfSteveKeen https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
(Score: 2, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Friday October 17, @06:00PM (1 child)
and resulting enshittification. Let's face it, we are getting dumber, living off the post war glory days (1945 - 1968), and still in denial.
(Score: 2) by acid andy on Saturday October 18, @07:07PM
That and COVID infection after COVID infection after COVID infection.
"rancid randy has a dialogue with herself[...] Somebody help him!" -- Anonymous Coward.
(Score: 3, Funny) by snakeplissken on Friday October 17, @08:18PM
So with all this plastic that's going to end up in the geological record it's less that we are living in the anthropocene and more we are in the "plasticene", yes:)