A diet full of tiny plastics triggered health problems in mice

After weeks of consuming plastics, the mice had gut and organ issues

A petri dish full of various sizes and shards of colored plastics.

Plastics can shed tiny particles that make their way into food, air and water. Scientists have shown that ingesting such particles can cause health issues in mice.

Australian Institute of Marine Science

ORLANDO, Fla. — Eating plastic might muck with the gut.

Mice fed tiny bits of polystyrene experienced health problems including metabolic issues and signs of organ injury, scientists reported June 1 at the annual American Society for Nutrition meeting.