A new study from the University of California, Riverside shows that a father's exposure to microplastics before becoming a parent may increase the risk of his children developing metabolic problems, such as diabetes.
In studies in mice, males exposed to microplastics had offspring that, when fed an unhealthy, high-fat diet, developed serious health problems. Girls were more affected: they developed signs of diabetes and blood sugar problems. Boys did not develop diabetes, but changes were observed in the way their bodies stored fat.
Scientists have discovered that microplastics can affect children through the father's sperm, without changing their DNA. They change the way certain genes are "turned on" or "turned off" during a child's early development.
Although the study was conducted on mice, the fact that microplastics have also been found in the human body is concerning. The researchers advise that men who are planning to have children should try to limit their exposure to plastic pollution.
