"It's quite possible that children are more exposed to microplastics than adults, similar to children's greater exposure to many other environmental toxic chemicals," states Dr. Sripada, a neuroscientist from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), who also leads the Centre for Digital Life Norway, a national center. As of February 2022, her research group has identified a total of 37 different articles exploring the presence of nano and microplastics in connection with pregnancy and childhood, including the discovery of microplastics in the placenta and newborns. "Children do not possess a fully developed immune system and are in a crucial phase of their brain development, rendering them particularly vulnerable," adds Dr. Sripada.

According to a small-scale study published in Environmental Science and Technology Letters, the levels of microplastics found in infants' feces were found to be 10 times higher compared to those in adults, relative to their body weights. These findings underscore the pressing need for further investigations into the impact of microplastics on children's health.

Furthermore, a study published in Chemosphere in 2019 suggested that micro and nano plastics could degrade to a size small enough to penetrate cell membranes and enter the body's circulatory system. Another study published in Science Direct proposed that the presence of microplastics in the bloodstream could lead to cell death and inflammation. Additionally, various chemicals used in plastics have been associated with hormone-related cancers, infertility, and neurodevelopment disorders, such as ADHD and autism. Several studies have indicated that exposure to the toxicity of BPA, in particular during early development, may lead to health effects, including but not limited to changes in the infant's developing nervous system, such as thyroid function and brain growth, behavioral development alterations like hyperactivity, and disruptions in the normal development of the prostate gland.