Starch-based bioplastic may be as toxic as petroleum-based plastic

a year ago

Starch-based bioplastics, touted as biodegradable and sustainable, may be as toxic as petroleum-based plastics, causing similar health issues.
Health problems linked to bioplastics include organ damage, metabolic changes, gut microbe imbalances leading to cardiovascular disease, and altered glucose levels.
The study is the first to confirm long-term adverse effects in mice, raising concerns about the safety of bioplastics.
Bioplastics, made from materials like corn starch or sugar, are used in products like fast fashion, wet wipes, and cutlery.
Despite being marketed as safer, bioplastics don't degrade as quickly as claimed and lack sufficient toxicity research.
Micro-bioplastics, similar to microplastics, can shed from products like clothing and contaminate food and water.
Exposure to bioplastics in mice led to chemical accumulation in tissues, microlesions, and abnormalities in organs like the liver and ovaries.
Bioplastics also affected genetic pathways and gut microbiota, potentially disrupting circadian rhythms.
Activists recommend reducing plastic exposure in daily life, though it remains challenging due to its ubiquity.

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