Toxic chemicals used in laptops, baby seats and smartphones can easily penetrate human skin and enter the bloodstream, scientists show for the first time

Plastics used to make furniture, electronics and home insulation contain toxic chemicals that scientists have found can be easily absorbed through human skin.

Toxic chemicals used to make laptops, baby seats and smartphones more fireproof can easily penetrate human skin and enter the bloodstream, scientists from the University of Birmingham have shown for the first time.

These substances are used in a range of household items, even baby changing tables, and can disrupt thyroid function, cognitive development, motor skills and ovarian function, along with an increased risk of cancer.

Researchers already knew they could enter the body through food and water, but this is the first time they have shown that the chemicals can seep into the skin.

Some of the toxic chemicals have been banned by the United Kingdom, the European Union and 13 US states, including Maine, Hawaii, Michigan, Washington, Oregon, Illinois, Maryland and New York.

Scientists placed microplastics containing PBDEs on a 3D equivalent of human skin (left), soaked it and then removed it for analysis (top right). Sweaty skin (bottom right) is more vulnerable to these toxic chemicals penetrating and entering the bloodstream.

The group of chemicals called polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were introduced in the 1970s and were supposed to make people safer, but they had unintended consequences.

The new research looked at whether toxic chemicals can be absorbed through the skin from microplastics.

However, microplastics are persistent pests and remain in the environment indefinitely.

Using simulated skin 3D printed from human skin cells, scientists were able to test how PBDEs penetrate the skin – without having to expose people or animals to the harmful chemicals.

They moistened the skin and exposed it to two different types of microplastics for 24 hours.

It was important to moisturize the skin for two reasons, the researchers noted.

First, to simulate what happens during normal life: the skin sweats a little.

And second, because research has shown that skin moisture affects how these chemicals are absorbed.

The team tested the skin after 24 hours and found that it absorbed up to 8 percent of the PBDEs from the microplastics.

The chemicals in question were BDE 47, BDE 99, BDE 100, BDE 153 and BDE 183, all of which are known to be toxic.

When the skin was sweaty, it absorbed greater amounts of the chemicals.

‘Microplastics are present everywhere in the environment and yet we still know relatively little about the health problems they can cause’ said first study author Dr. Ovokeroye Abafe, who conducted the research at the University of Birmingham.

The map above shows states that have implemented bans on certain forms of PBDEs. They are banned in many countries, including the European Union

A scientist holds up Episkin, the lab-produced simulated skin made from real human skin cells.

‘Our research shows that they play a role as ‘carriers’ of harmful chemicals, which can enter our bloodstream through the skin. These chemicals are persistent, so with continued or regular exposure to them there will be a gradual accumulation to the point where they begin to cause damage.”

Part of the reason why scientists still don’t fully understand the health effects of microplastics is that there are dozens of different types of plastics, which can contain thousands of different chemicals.

But it is clear that PBDEs are harmful to human health.

Many of the concerns about PBDEs arose in the early 2000s, when a study found that women’s breast milk contained some of the harmful substances.

But last year, a similar experiment showed that out of fifty breast milk samples from women in the same region, every one of them contained PBDEs.

A 2018 study found the chemicals in fish in the US and UK.

And a study published earlier this month found that people with higher levels of PBDEs in their blood were at greater risk of dying from cancer.

So even though PBDEs are not as commonly used anymore, they are still around – and still being made.

Dr. Mohamed Abdallah, associate professor of environmental sciences at the University of Birmingham, and senior scientist for the project, said: ‘These findings provide important evidence for regulators and policymakers to improve legislation around microplastics and protect public health from harmful exposure.’