Does exposure to a single dose of microplastic represent a health risk?

Abstract

Worldwide pollution with plastic debris represents tremendous environmental issue. Small particles originated from plastic bottles exert various effects in organisms when exposed chronically, while the effects of a single exposure are completely unknown. Thus, to test their potential health impact, male Wistar rats were exposed by oral gavage to a single dose of microplastic particles (MP) derived from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles (1.4, 35 or 125 mg/kg with median diameter of 85 μm). Food and water intakes were monitored, and neurological and clinical tests were conducted. Obtained results point to lower food and water intakes in groups that received two higher MP doses indicating to interference with normal digestion. None of three used MP doses provoked neurological and clinical impairments either due to short-term exposure and/or lack of MP cumulative effect. Overall, presented results indicate that exposure to a single dose of MP can initiate health issues.