Rita Maurício in SÁBADO magazine

MARE researcher Rita Maurício contributed to the article “Policie o plástico que usa” (Monitor the plastic you use), published in the latest edition of SÁBADO magazine, which addresses the impact of chemical compounds present in plastics on human health and the environment. 

The article highlights an innovative initiative by the environmental organization International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN), which has developed silicone bracelets capable of tracking toxic substances associated with plastic. These devices, currently used only in research contexts, absorb chemical compounds and allow for non-invasive assessment of their users' exposure to these substances.

In her speech, Rita Maurício explains that the main problem lies in the microscopic size of these compounds, which allows them to cross biological barriers and reach vital organs: “Due to their extremely small size, which can be 70 times smaller than the diameter of a strand of hair, they can cross biological barriers, such as the intestinal or even the blood-brain barrier (the structure that protects the brain), thus reaching vital organs,” she explained.

The article also emphasizes that, although plastics have transformed modern life, their impact goes far beyond environmental issues, posing a silent threat to public health.

Rita Maurício's participation in this article reinforces MARE and NOVA FCT's commitment to interdisciplinary research on pollution, environmental toxicology, and human health, contributing to greater awareness of the risks associated with plastics and to the development of solutions that promote sustainability and the protection of human and environmental health.

To read the article, click HERE

Text by Patrícia Carvalho