A team of obstetricians and scientists in Rome examined placentas from six healthy pregnancies using Raman microspectroscopy, a laser-based technique that identifies what tiny particles are made of, taking care to avoid plastic contamination during delivery and analysis.
They found 12 plastic fragments, 5 to 10 micrometres across, in four of the six placentas. Particles were present on the maternal side, the fetal side and in the membranes, showing that microplastics can cross into the tissue that links mother and baby.
The study, titled 'Plasticenta', was the first to show plastic in the placenta and raised concerns about exposure before birth, when developing tissues are most sensitive.
It involved only six women and found a handful of particles; it demonstrates presence, not harm. Later work (Garcia et al. 2024) found plastic in all 62 placentas tested.