A commonly used herbicide has been linked to liver damage, a new study reveals.
A recent global study conducted by a group of international academics found consuming nanoplastics, glyphosate, or both, led to highly increased inflammation and cell deaths in mouse livers.
Glyphosate is the world's most widely used herbicide and is also commonly used in New Zealand, but is listed as a possible carcinogen by the World Health Organisation.
Multiple countries have begun to ban glyphosate or severely restrict its use in non-commercial settings. Due to health and safety concerns, countries such as France and Germany have banned domestic use of glyphosate and its use in public spaces.
However, New Zealand's government is currently considering whether to increase the current legal limit of glyphosate presence from 0.1mg per kilogram, to 10mg/kg in wheat, oats, and barley.
The change is proposed due to current set levels being based on information from when the product was first introduced.
The newly released study found in a matter of just five weeks of exposure to both nanoplastics and glyphosate, liver damage worsened.
The study also showed exposure to glyphosate alone was enough to cause notable cell damage in the mice.
Mice are generally tested on because they are mammals and share similar genetics and biology to humans.
Studies exploring the effects of nanoplastic consumption in humans have shown a vast array of health issues.
Humans mostly come into contact with micro and nanoplastics through eating food, but they can also be present in drinking water, the air, and some clothing.
Some of the potential issues included increased risk of inflammation and slowed cell growth, DNA damage, and even increased risk of cancer and chronic disease. However, experts say more research is needed.
University of Canterbury clinical psychology Professor Julia Rucklidge said a lot of food in Western diets were very inflammatory, and that food could impact gut lining.
“What we’re starting to understand now is that irritation and inflammation can impact your brain health.”
Rucklidge said young people needed to be educated what impact food choices could have on their mental health.
Moving forward, Rucklidge believed in the need for a “really courageous conversation to say we have got to do something about our food environment… because it would reduce all of our healthcare costs".
Experts say there are some steps to avoid micro and nanoplastics.
This could be switching to wood and glass chopping boards, avoiding plastic exposure to high heat such as microwaving, and staying away from polyester clothes.
