Nanoplastics Detected In Animal Cells – FBN Study Warns Of Possible Consequences

Researchers at the Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN) in Dummerstorf and the University of Udine have demonstrated the uptake of nanoplastics in farm animal cell cultures.

The results provide evidence of potential risks to animal health, meat production and human food security.
Plastic bags, packaging, yogurt lids—what's carelessly discarded decomposes over the years into tiny plastic particles. These end up in the soil, waterways, and ultimately in our food chain. While numerous studies have shown that microplastics can harm marine animals, birds, and insects, the effects of nanoplastics on farm animals have so far been largely unexplored.

In contrast to microplastics (1 µm – 5 mm), there are currently hardly any adequate analytical methods for detecting nanoplastics (< 1 µm) in humans and animals. However, researchers assume that these small particles can also accumulate in tissues.

FBN study: Nanoplastics penetrate farm animal cell cultures
In the joint study, researchers from the FBN and the University of Udine demonstrated that polystyrene nanoplastic particles are absorbed into cell cultures of cattle and pigs. This absorption led to changes that could impair the animals' cell function and health 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 group at the FBN. "When we saw that nanoplastics penetrate cells, we knew this could have far-reaching consequences," Baufeld continues.

Possible consequences for fertility and meat production
Granulosa cells from cattle, which play an important role in reproduction, and myoblasts from pigs, from which muscle tissue is formed, were examined. Even low concentrations led to microscopically visible deposits. These could impair the fertility of the animals and their products.

Risks to humans cannot be ruled out
Farm animals are part of the human food chain. Direct health risks for consumers cannot currently be determined. Nevertheless, researchers urge a more detailed investigation of the long-term consequences of microplastics and nanoplastics.

"Our research shows that nanoplastics are not only an environmental problem, but could also potentially have direct consequences for the health of farm animals. These initial indications highlight the importance of conducting more intensive research into plastic pollution in order to be able to assess potential risks for both animals and humans at an early stage," says Baufeld.

The study was published in the journal Science of the Total Environment. It provides an important foundation for better understanding the effects of nanoplastics on animals – and for minimizing potential risks to the environment and humans. Dr. Anja Baufeld has also investigated the effects of microplastics and nanoplastics in other work, including a review on potential risks to ruminants as an important component of the human diet (Animals 2024, 14(2), 350; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14020350 ) and on their effects on reproduction and overall animal health (Animals 2023, 13(7), 1132; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13071132 ).

The Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology will continue to intensively research the topic of plastic pollution and its effects on farm animals.