Emily Chan
Alpha-lactalbumin is found in human milk and helps with the production of lactose. Nanoplastics and PFAs were found to disrupt the structure of this protein, which could hinder lactose production and lead to reduced immunity and mineral absorption in infants.
Finally, myoglobin exists in the blood and muscles of most mammals. It plays a role in the body’s storage of oxygen.
Nanoplastics and PFAs impede the molecule’s ability to store oxygen, meaning that there is the potential for health issues such as anemia and breathlessness.
“By understanding the molecular mechanisms of how nanoplastics and forever chemicals disrupt cellular functions, scientists can develop safer alternatives to these materials,” said Mahesh Narayan, a professor and fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and chief of the Division of Biochemistry in the university’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. “The insights gained from this research have far-reaching implications.”
The details of the study can be found in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.
