Microplastics Linked to Bone Weakness & Increased Fracture Risk, New Research Suggests
Campinas, Brazil - Emerging research from the State University of Campinas (FCM-Unicamp) indicates that microplastic exposure may negatively impact bone health, perhaps contributing to the rising global incidence of osteoporosis and fractures. The study, led by RODRIGO BUENO DE OLIVEIRA, Coordinator of the Laboratory for Mineral and Bone Study in Nephrology (Lemon) at FCM-Unicamp, reveals that microplastics accumulate within bone tissue – even reaching the bone marrow – and disrupt crucial cellular processes.
According to Oliveira, microplastics accelerate cell aging and alter cell differentiation, while also promoting inflammation. Animal studies have demonstrated that accelerated senescence of osteoclasts – cells responsible for bone breakdown – can lead to impaired bone microstructure, dysplasia, weakening, deformities, and an increased risk of pathological fractures, ultimately halting skeletal growth in tested animals.
“Most impressive is that a significant set of studies suggests that microplastics can reach the intimacy of bone tissue, such as bone marrow, and potentially causing various disturbances in its metabolism,” Oliveira stated.
Researchers are now launching a new project to directly investigate the link between microplastic exposure and the progression of metabolic bone diseases, focusing on the impact of microplastics on the resistance of rodent femurs. This research comes as the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) projects a 32% increase in osteoporosis fractures globally by 2050,driven largely by population aging.
“Improving quality of life and reducing the risk of bone complications, such as fractures, is a priority in health,” Oliveira explained. “Evidence in the direction that microplastics could be a potential environmental cause, controllable, to explain, such as, the increased projection of bone fractures.”
The findings are detailed in the recently published review article, Effects of microplastics on the bones: a comprehensive review, available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00198-025-07580-4.