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In a small study of eight cats at early stages of pregnancy, researchers detected 19 different kinds of microplastic particles in fetuses from two cats and in the placentas of three cats. Ilaria Ferraboschi of the University of Parma, Italy, and colleagues in PLOS One.

Humans and other animals worldwide are increasingly exposed to microplastics, which are small particles of plastic contaminants. Studies suggest that microplastics can have a variety of adverse health effects. For instance, research in rodents suggests that fetuses exposed to microplastics during pregnancy may experience impaired development. Microplastics have also been found in human amniotic fluid, further raising concerns about fetal exposure.

To deepen our understanding of this topic, Ferraboschi and colleagues investigated whether microplastics could be found in cat placentas and fetuses during early stages of pregnancy. They evaluated eight pregnant stray cats that had been brought to a veterinary hospital as part of a population-control program in northern Italy.

Using a standard chemical analysis technique known as Raman spectroscopy, the researchers detected microplastics in fetal tissue from two of the cats and in placental tissue from three of the cats. They found a total of 19 different types of microplastics in the tissue samples.

These findings show that even during early stages of pregnancy, microplastics may accumulate in cat placentas. They also suggest that microplastics may be able to cross the placental barrier and accumulate in cat fetuses. However, further research will be needed to determine whether microplastics in cat placentas and fetuses might impact fetal health and development.

In light of their findings and the findings of earlier studies, the researchers call for limits on the general use of plastics and for the development of alternative materials. They also call for policymakers and industrial stakeholders to enact strategies for mitigating plastic pollution that poses risks to humans and animals.