Bones sometimes retain the memory of our environment. Researchers have just discovered that our skeletons could be marked by an invisible pollution: microplastics. These tiny fragments, present everywhere on Earth, would infiltrate all the way into the bone marrow.
This finding raises an unprecedented question: what if bones themselves became the new frontier of plastic contamination? In Brazil, a team from the State University of Campinas analyzed several dozen studies to understand how these microscopic particles alter the functioning of bone tissue. Their results outline a troubling link between daily plastic exposure and the weakening of the human skeleton.
When microplastics settle in the body
Every year, over 400 million tons of plastic are produced, and only a tiny portion is recycled. Everyday objects constantly release fine particles that spread into the air, water, and food. These microplastics thus enter the body through ingestion, inhalation, or simple skin contact.
Analyses have shown their presence in blood, brain, placenta, and even breast milk. Now, they are also detected inside bones. According to researchers, these particles can reach the bone marrow, disrupt cellular exchanges, and cause chronic inflammation.
Microplastics don't act as simple intruders: they alter cell vitality and accelerate their aging. By disrupting the skeleton's regeneration mechanisms, they could weaken bones and increase the risk of fractures.
A threatened biological balance
The Brazilian team reviewed 62 studies to create an overview of observed effects. The results converge: microplastics alter the functions of osteoclasts, cells responsible for breaking down old bone tissue to allow its reconstruction. Their premature aging disrupts this cycle, leading to a more fragile bone structure.
In animals, researchers observed deformations and sometimes a halt in skeletal growth. These observations suggest that the phenomenon could also exist in humans. The presence of microplastics in blood could be the vector for their deep infiltration into bone tissues.
Even if direct evidence is still lacking, these results could help explain the global rise in osteoporosis. According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, fractures related to this disease are expected to increase by more than 30% by 2050.
Towards a better understanding of bone diseases
Researchers now want to verify these hypotheses through experiments on rodent femurs. The goal: measure the real impact of microplastics on the mechanical resistance of bones and identify potential prevention strategies.
While metabolic bone diseases are well known, the influence of environmental pollutants remains largely underestimated. Understanding this role could open the way to more refined prevention, targeting not only lifestyle but also exposure to plastic materials.
Limiting this exposure is not impossible: preferring glass bottles, avoiding synthetic textiles, and filtering tap water are simple actions that reduce the microplastic load in the body.
Article author: Cédric DEPOND